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. Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents.






2. A congressional district created to include a majority of minority voters; ruled constitutional so long as race is not the main factor in redistricting.






3. A national meeting of delegates elected at primaries - caucuses - or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president - ratify the party platform - elect officers - and adopt rules.






4. Libel - obscenity - fighting words - and commercial speech - which are not entitled to constitutional protection in all circumstances.






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






6. 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.






7. The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states.






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






9. Agency that administers civil service laws - rules - and regulations.






10. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.






11. Democratic party primary in the old 'one-party South' that was limited to white people and essentially constituted an election; ruled unconstitutional in Smith v. Allwright (1944).






12. Remedial action designed to overcome the effects of discrimination against minorities and women.






13. Aid to the poor; 'welfare.'






14. Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate.






15. The powers expressly given to Congress in the Constitution.






16. Conservative Christians who (as a group) have become more active in politics in the last two decades and were especially influential in the 2000 presidential election.






17. Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution.






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






19. Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority.






20. The practice of exporting U.S. jobs to lower paid employees in other nations.






21. The process by which individuals perceive what they want to in media messages.






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






23. Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.






24. Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.






25. An economic and governmental system based on public ownership of the means of production and exchange.






26. Elections in which voters determine party nominees.






27. Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.






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






29. Elections held midway between presidential elections.






30. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. These sanctions permit the use of federal money in one program to influence state and local policy in another. For example - a 1984 act reduced federal highway aid by up to 15 percent for any






31. The joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot as required by the Twelfth Amendment.






32. Domination of an industry by a single company that fixes prices and discourages competition; also - the company that dominates the industry by these means.






33. Government by the people - both directly or indirectly - with free and frequent elections.






34. The reliance on economic and military strength to solve international problems.






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






36. Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.






37. General tax on sales transactions - sometimes exempting food and drugs.






38. Constitutional requirement that governments act reasonably and that the substance of the laws themselves be fair and reasonable; limits what the government may do.






39. 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.






40. A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody.






41. A philosophy that encourages individual nations tacked together to solve international problems.






42. Divisions within society that reinforce one another - making groups more homogenous or similar.






43. 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.






44. 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.






45. A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.






46. Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that the government cannot interfere with speech unless the speech presents a clear and present danger that it will lead to evil or illegal acts.






47. Something given with the expectation of receiving something in return.






48. Method whereby representatives of the union and employer determine wages - hours - and other conditions of employment through direct negotiation.






49. The widely shared beliefs - values - and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another.






50. A nonprofit association or group operating outside of government that advocates and pursues policy objectives.