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 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.






2. The act of declaring party affiliation; required by some states when one registers to vote.






3. Trade status granted as part of an international trade policy that gives a nation the same favorable trade concessions and tariffs that the best trading partners receive.






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






5. 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.






6. Media that emphasize the news.






7. A jury of 6 to 12 persons that determines guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action.






8. Efforts by government to alter the free operation of the market to achieve social goals such as protecting workers and the environment.






9. Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote.






10. An opinion disagreeing with a majority in a Supreme Court ruling.






11. A formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court.






12. The constitutional requirement (in Article II - Section 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws.






13. Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.






14. A court with appellate jurisdiction that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts.






15. A large body of people interested in a common issue - idea - or concern that is of continuing significance and who are willing to take action. Movements seek to change attitudes or institutions - not just policies.






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






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






18. Aid to the poor; 'welfare.'






19. Election in which voters choose party nominees.






20. Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.






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






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






23. A career government employee.






24. Stresses federalism as a system of intergovernmental relations in delivering governmental goods and services to the people and calls for cooperation among various levels of government.






25. The precise legal definition of how government will implement a policy.






26. 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.






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






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






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






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






31. The drawing of election districts so as to ensure that members of a certain race are a minority in the district; ruled unconstitutional in Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960).






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






33. The process of putting a law into practice through bureaucratic rules or spending.






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






35. An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.






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






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






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






39. An economic system characterized by private property - competitive markets - economic incentives - and limited government involvement in the production - distribution - and pricing of goods and services.






40. Presidential custom of submitting the names of perspective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.






41. A landmark case in United States law and the basis for the exercise of judicial review in the United States - under Article Three of the United States Constitution. The case resulted from a petition to the Supreme Court by William Marbury - who had b






42. Widespread agreement on fundamental principles of democratic governance and the values that undergird them.






43. Views the national government - 50 states - and thousands of local governments as competing with each other over ways to put together packages of services and taxes. Applies the analogy of the marketplace: we have some choice about which state and ci






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






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






46. Clause in the First Amendment that states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The Supreme Court has interpreted this to forbid governmental support to any or all religions.






47. 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.






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






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






50. Powers the Constitution specifically grants to one of the branches of the national government.