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. Exemption from prosecution for a particular crime in return for testimony pertaining to the case.






2. 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.






3. A rising public approval of the president that follows a crisis as Americans 'rally 'round the flag' and the chief executive.






4. Through different grant programs - slices up the marble cake into many different pieces - making it even more difficult to differentiate the functions of the levels of government.






5. A widely shared and consciously held view - like support for homeland security.






6. The principle of a two-house legislature.






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






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






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






10. The assigning by Congress of congressional seats after each census. State legislatures reapportion state legislative districts.






11. Authority given by Congress to the Federal bureaucracy to use reasonable judgment in implementing the laws.






12. The process by which individuals screen out messages that do not conform to their own biases.






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






14. Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.






15. The process by which we develop our political attitudes - values - and beliefs.






16. Financial contributions by individuals or groups in the hope of influencing the outcome of the election and subsequently influencing policy.






17. Synonymous with 'collective action -' it specifically studies how government officials - politicians - and voters respond to positive and negative incentives.






18. 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.






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






20. A permanent committee established in a legislature - usually focusing on a policy area.






21. Denial of export - import - or financial relations with the target country in an effort to change that nation's policies.






22. A formal decision to reject the bill passed by Congress.






23. The first governing document of the confederated states drafted in 1777 - ratified in 1781 - and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789.






24. 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






25. Segregation imposed by law.






26. A provision in a deed to real property prohibiting its sale to a person of a particular race or religion. Judicial enforcement of such deeds is unconstitutional.






27. A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.






28. Federal laws (starting with the Sherman Act of 1890) that tried to prevent a monopoly from dominating an industry and restraining trade.






29. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership is a condition of employment.






30. Biological - chemical - or nuclear weapons that can cause a massive number of deaths in a single use.






31. 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.






32. A term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups.






33. A policy that emphasizes a united front and cooperation between the major political parties - especially on sensitive foreign policy issues.






34. A legislative practice that assigns the chair of the committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on the committee.






35. Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes - stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and the curve during booms.






36. Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment that forbids any state to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. By interpretation - the Fifth Amendment imposes the same limitation on the national government. This clause is t






37. 30-second statements on the evening news shows. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on sound bites to explain them to the public.






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






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






40. The rights of an individual to own - use - rent - invest in - buy - and sell property.






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






42. Promoting a particular position or an issue paid for by interest groups or individuals but not candidates. Much issue advocacy is often electioneering for or against a candidate - and until 2004 had not been subject to any regulation.






43. Government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials directly.






44. 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.






45. People who favor national action over action at the state and local levels.






46. Power of a government to take private property for public use; the U.S. Constitution gives national and state governments this power and requires them to provide just compensation for property so taken.






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






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






49. Formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official - the first step in removal from office.






50. Election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.