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. A theory of international relations that focuses on the hope the nations will act together to solve international problems and promote peace.






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






3. Government regulation of property so extensive that government is deemed to have taken the property by the power of eminent domain - for which it must compensate the property owners.






4. Essays promoting ratification of the Constitution - published anonymously by Alexander Hamilton - John Jay - and James Madison in 1787 and 1788.






5. The head of the White House staff.






6. 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






7. Police targeting of racial minorities as potential suspects of criminal activities.






8. During the Great Society - the marble cake approach of intergovernmental relations.






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






10. A national meeting of delegates elected in 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.






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






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






13. The study of the characteristics of populations.






14. 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.






15. Trial or punishment for the same crime by the same government; forbidden by the Constitution.






16. Photo opportunities set up by the candidates. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on photo ops to explain them to the public.






17. A minor party founded by Ross Perot in 1995. It focuses on national government reform - fiscal responsibility - and political accountability. It has recently struggled with internal strife and criticism that it lacks an identity.






18. Formal accusation against a president or other public official - the first step in removal from office.






19. Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.






20. National Health Insurance program for the elderly and disabled.






21. A belief that limited government insures order competitive markets and personal opportunity.






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






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






24. A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government.






25. A decision made by a higher court such as a circuit court of appeals or the Supreme Court that is binding on all other federal courts.






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






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






28. Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government - the actions of the federal government will prevail.






29. 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.






30. 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.






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. A decision by the president not to spend money appropriated by Congress - now prohibited under Federal law.






33. 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






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






35. Powers expressly or implicitly reserved to the states.

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36. International organization derived from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that promotes it free trade around the world.






37. Aid to the poor; 'welfare.'






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






39. A policy adopted by the Bush administration in 2001 that asserts America's right to attack any nation that has weapons of mass destruction that might be used against U.S. interests at home or abroad.






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






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






42. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and to cooperate. The term has many applications in the various social sciences such as political science - sociology - and






43. A philosophy that encourages individual nations to act on their own when facing threats from other nations.






44. 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.






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






46. A notion held by a nineteenth-century Americans that the United States was destined to rule the continent - from the Atlantic the Pacific.






47. Democratic and civic habits of discussion - compromise - and respect for differences - which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.






48. 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.






49. Lawsuit brought by an individual or group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated.






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