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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 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.






2. Candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election - not necessarily more than half.






3. Unlimited amounts of money that political parties previously could raise for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state and local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.






4. A theory of government that holds that open - multiple - and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.






5. A court order forbidding specific individuals or groups from performing certain acts (such as striking) that the court considers harmful to the rights and property of an employer or community.






6. An imbalance in international trade in which the value of imports exceeds the value of exports.






7. An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood.






8. The difference between the revenues raised annually from sources of income other than borrowing and the expenditures of government - including paying the interest on past borrowing.






9. A small political party that rises and falls with a charismatic candidate or - if composed of ideologies on the right or left - usually persists over time; also called a third party.






10. 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






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






12. Aid to the poor; 'welfare.'






13. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership can be a condition of employment.






14. 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.






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






16. The desire to avoid international entanglement altogether.






17. A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.






18. 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.






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






20. 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.






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






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






23. Programs such as Medicaid and welfare under which applicants must meet eligibility requirements based on need.






24. The authority of a court to hear a case 'in the first instance.'






25. Loss of tax revenue due to Federal laws that provide special tax incentives or benefits to individuals or businesses.






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






28. 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.






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






30. 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.






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






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






33. Assigning police to neighborhoods where they walk the beat and work with churches and other community groups to reduce crime and improve relations with minorities.






34. A theory that is based on creating enough military strength to convince other nations not to attack first.






35. 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.






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






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






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






39. 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






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






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






42. The political arm of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary basis from members - stockholders - or employees to contribute funds to candidates or political parties.






43. Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law.






44. Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.






45. 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.






46. A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.






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






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






49. The convention in Philadelphia - May 25 to September 17 - 1787 - that debated and agreed upon the Constitution of the United States.






50. 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







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