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






2. An official who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of legislator.






3. A PAC formed by an officeholder that collects contributions from individuals and other PACs and then makes contributions to other candidates and political parties.






4. 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.






5. The powers expressly given to Congress in the Constitution.






6. 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.






7. A meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and to develop party policy. Called a conference by the Republicans.






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






9. Constitutional arrangement in which power is distributed between a central government and subdivisional governments - called states in the United States. The national and the subdivisional governments both exercise direct authority over individuals.






10. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






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






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






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






14. 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.






15. Government by the people - both directly or indirectly - with free and frequent elections.






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






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






18. A meeting of party delegates to vote on matters of policy and in some cases to select party candidates for public office.






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






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






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






22. The formal instructions that government issues for implementing laws.






23. A provision attached to a bill






24. The right to keep executive communications confidential - especially if they relate to National Security.






25. A dispute growing out of an actual case or controversy and that is capable of settlement by legal methods.






26. The right of a federal law or a regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation.






27. An election during periods of expanded suffrage and change in the economy and society that proves to be a turning point - redefining the agenda of politics and the alignment of voters within parties.






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






29. The idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the rights of the individuals who make up the nation.






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






31. A theory of international relations that focuses on the tendency of nations to operate from self-interest.






32. Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.






33. 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.






34. Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.






35. Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the Federal bureaucracy.






36. Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.






37. Aid to the poor; 'welfare.'






38. Elections held midway between presidential elections.






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






40. The principle of a two-house legislature.






41. The Supreme Court has ruled that individuals - groups - and parties can spend unlimited amounts in campaigns for or against candidates as long as they operate independently from the candidates. When an individual - group - or party does so - they are






42. Elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of the party's candidate is almost taken for granted.






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






44. A minor party dedicated to the environment - social justice - nonviolence - and the foreign policy of nonintervention. Ralph Nader ran as the Green party's nominee in 2000.






45. 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






46. A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of the bill or nomination.






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






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






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






50. Constitutional arrangement that concentrates power in a central government.