Test your basic knowledge |

AP Government

Subjects : civics, ap
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.






2. A writ issued by a magistrate that authorizes the police to search a particular place or person - specifying the place to be searched and the objects to be seized.






3. Programs such as unemployment insurance - disability relief - or disability payments that provide benefits to all eligible citizens.






4. International organization derived from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that promotes it free trade around the world.






5. Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787 - protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

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6. Loss of tax revenue due to Federal laws that provide special tax incentives or benefits to individuals or businesses.






7. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted.






8. An official who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of legislator.






9. The clause in the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 8 - Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.






10. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






11. A combination of entitlement programs - paid for by employer and employee taxes - that includes retirement benefits - health insurance - and support for disabled workers and the children of deceased or disabled workers.






12. A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of the bill or nomination.






13. Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.






14. Agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant that the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser offense to avoid having to stand trial for more serious offense.






15. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Total preemption rests on the national governments power under the supremacy and commerce clauses to preempt conflicting state and local activity. Building on this constitutional authority - f






16. A belief that limited government insures order competitive markets and personal opportunity.






17. Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials - especially legislators - and the policies they enact.






18. The convention in Philadelphia - May 25 to September 17 - 1787 - that debated and agreed upon the Constitution of the United States.






19. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Federal grants may establish certain conditions that extend to all activities supported by federal funds - regardless of their source. The first and most famous of these is Title VI of the 196






20. Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that freedom of expression is so essential to democracy that governments should not punish persons for what they say - only for what they do.






21. The inclination to focus on national issues - rather than local issues - in an election campaign. The impact of the national tide can be reduced by the nature of the candidates on the ballot who might have differentiated themselves from their party o






22. An international trade organization with more than 130 members - including the United States and the People's Republic of China - that seeks to encourage free trade by lowering tariffs and other trade restrictions.






23. Media that emphasize the news.






24. The belief that nations must engage in international problem solving.






25. Alternative means of health care in which individuals make tax-deductible contributions to a special account that can be used to pay medical expenses.






26. A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.






27. A veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for 10 days - the bill does not become law and does not return to Congress for possible override.






28. An agreement among two or more states. Congress must approve most such agreements.






29. A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.






30. The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.






31. A president's claim of broad public support.






32. The total output of all economic activity in the nation - including goods and services.






33. An official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgment of the circumstances; one interpretation of the role of the legislator.






34. Censorship imposed before a speech is made or a newspaper is published; usually presumed to be unconstitutional.






35. Election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins.






36. Holding incumbents - usually the president's party - responsible for their records on issues - such as the economy or foreign policy.






37. Usually the largest organization in government with the largest mission; also the highest rank in Federal hierarchy.






38. A government that enforces recognized limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free - fair - and relatively frequent elections.






39. Government regulation of property so extensive that government is deemed to have taken the property by the power of eminent domain - for which it must compensate the property owners.






40. Clause in the Constitution that states that 'Congress should have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. . . .' This clause is also known as the elastic clause as is a major and significant p

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41. A government entity that is independent of the legislative - executive - and judicial branches.






42. Domination of an industry by a single company; also the company that dominates the industry.






43. Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government - the actions of the federal government will prevail.






44. An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on minimal government - promoting a free market economy - a noninterventionist foreign policy - and an absence of regulation in moral - economic - and social life.






45. Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term.






46. A PAC formed by an officeholder that collects contributions from individuals and other PACs and then makes contributions to other candidates and political parties.






47. A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.






48. Policy of erecting trade barriers to protect domestic industry.






49. A minor party founded by Ross Perot in 1995. It focuses on national government reform - fiscal responsibility - and political accountability. It has recently struggled with internal strife and criticism that it lacks an identity.






50. Relationships among interest groups - congressional committees and subcommittees - and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.