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






2. A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.






3. Procedure whereby a certain number of voters may - by petition - propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters.






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






5. Providing automatic increases to compensate for inflation.






6. A provision attached to a bill






7. 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.






8. Segregation imposed by law.






9. Segregation resulting from economic or social conditions or personal choice.






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






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






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






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






14. An electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official.






15. Words that by their very nature inflict injury on those to whom they are addressed or insight them to acts of violence.






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






17. Clause in the Fifth Amendment limiting the power of the national government; similar clause in the Fourteenth Amendment prohibiting state governments from depriving any person of life - liberty - or property without due process of law.






18. An action taken by Congress to reverse the presidential veto - requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber.






19. 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.






20. Clause of the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 8 - Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress - in addition to its express powers has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Co






21. 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.






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






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






24. The principle of a two-house legislature.






25. The rule of precedent - whereby a rule or law contained in a judicial decision is commonly viewed as binding on judges whenever the same question is presented.






26. Consumer tax on a specific kind of merchandise - such as tobacco.






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






28. An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning.






29. 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.






30. The means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy.






31. Interest groups organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code may advertise for or against candidates. If their source of funding is corporations or unions - they have some restrictions on broadcast advertising. 527 organizations were impo






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






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






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






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






36. Governance divided between the parties - especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.






37. The clause of the Constitution (Article I - Section 8 - Clause 3) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.






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






39. 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.






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






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






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






43. Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.






44. A formal - public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two thirds of the Senate.






45. Literacy requirements some states imposed as a condition of voting - generally used to disqualify black voters in the South; now illegal.






46. 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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47. Constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states - by compact - create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.






48. A secret ballot printed by the state.






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






50. The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or - in a state court - the state constitution.