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. Attempting to overthrow the government by force or use violence to interrupt its activities.






2. An agency of Congress that analyzes presidential budget recommendations and estimates the cost of proposed legislation.






3. Arrangement whereby public officials are hired to provide legal assistance to people accused of crimes who are unable to hire their own attorneys.






4. A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.






5. The authority of a court to hear a case 'in the first instance.'






6. An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins.






7. Federal program that provides medical benefits for low-income persons.






8. A policy promoting cutbacks in the amount of Federal regulation in specific areas of economic activity.






9. Agreement signed by the United States - Canada - and Mexico in 1992 to form the largest free trade zone in the world.






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






11. The formal instructions that government issues for implementing laws.






12. 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






13. Presidential staff the agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






14. Tax levied on imports to help protect the nation's industries - labor - or farmers from foreign competition. It can also be used to raise additional revenue.






15. A secret ballot printed by the state.






16. A tax graduated so that people with higher incomes pay larger fraction of their income than people with lower incomes.






17. Legislative act inflicting punishment - including deprivation of property - without a trial - on named individuals or members of a specific group.






18. A congressional committee created for a specific purpose - sometimes to conduct an investigation.






19. A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage.






20. Powers that grow out of the very existence of government.






21. The difference between the political opinions or political behavior of men and of women.






22. The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.






23. These are broad state grants to states for prescribed activities—welfare - child care - education - social services - preventive health care - and health services—with only a few strings attached. States have greater flexibility in deciding how to sp






24. A specific course of action taken by government to achieve a public goal.






25. Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values.






26. An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






27. A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.






28. A close contest; by extension - any contest in which the focus is on who is ahead and by how much rather than on substantive differences between the candidates.






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






30. A dispute growing out of an actual case or controversy and that is capable of settlement by legal methods.






31. The set of arrangements - including checks and balances - federalism - separation of powers - rule of law - due process - and a bill of rights - that requires our leaders to listen - think - bargain - and explain before they act or make laws. We then






32. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






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






34. The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census - to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.






35. The list of potential cases that reach the Supreme Court.






36. A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals (each limited to $2000) and present them to a candidate or political party as a 'bundle -' thus increasing the PAC's influence.






37. Theory that opposes governmental interference in economic affairs beyond what is necessary to protect life and property.






38. The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party - group - or incumbent.






39. A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. It consists of six commissioners appointed by president and confirmed by the Senate. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of camp






40. A tax whereby people with lower incomes pay a higher fraction of their income than people with higher incomes.






41. Requirement that evidence unconstitutionally or illegally obtained be excluded from a criminal trial.






42. Programs in which eligibility is based on prior contributions to government - usually in the form of payroll taxes.






43. A rise in the general price level (and decrease in dollar value) owing to an increase in the volume of money and credit in relation to available goods.






44. The boost that candidates may get in an election because of the popularity of candidates above them on the ballot - especially the president.






45. The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.






46. A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.






47. A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.






48. A policy-making alliance among loosely connected participants that comes together on a particular issue - then disbands.






49. The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition.






50. Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.