Test your basic knowledge |

CLEP American Government

Subjects : clep, civics
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 only court specifically outlined in the Constitution.






2. Between conventions - the governing body of a major political party. Members of this group are chosen in the states and formally elected by the party






3. The Articles of Confederation established a ________________ legislature.






4. Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees - task forces - and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.






5. Provisions tacked on to a piece of legislation that are not relevant to the bill.






6. The sum of the goals - decisions - and actions that govern a nation's relations with the rest of the world.






7. Requires that a suspect in a federal case be arraigned without unnecessary delay.






8. President Hoover's laissez-faire approach to the economy during the Great Depression left many poor voters disenfranchised by the Republican Party. They left to join the _______________ Party.






9. The power to tax is an example of _______________ powers.






10. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal






11. Germany - Switzerland - and India are examples of countries with a _______________ system of government.






12. Bills that benefit legislators' home districts - or powerful corporate contributors - with sometimes wasteful or unnecessary public works or other projects.






13. A system in which national and state governments are competitors with distinct powers. This system was prominent in the US from the during the 19th century until 1937.






14. High School Dropouts - Blacks - Hispanics - Recent immigrants - and People under 25 or over 75 tend to have a _________ voter turnout.






15. Form of obstruction in the Senate where an attempt is made to infinitely extend debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place.






16. The only amendments to be ratified through the process of 'ratifying conventions -' not a vote in the state legislatures






17. 1940 Act Prohibiting any person from advocating overthrowing the government through violence or force.






18. Requires the Electoral College to vote for President and Vice President separately.






19. The total group from which poll-takers may select a random sample in order to measure public opinion.






20. According to the Constitution - the electors in the Electoral College shall be appointed in a manner to be determined by the






21. The net balance or relationship between total income and total expenditures by the nation in its dealings with the rest of the world - including trade - loans - and investments.






22. These courts only hear appeals on cases from lower courts.






23. Congress defined the steps for the creation and admission of new states. It forbade slavery while the region remained a territory although citizens could legalize it. First congress would appoint a territorial governor and judges. Second as soon as 5






24. Guarantees that an accused in innocent until proven guilty.






25. A technique polling organizations use in which several people from the same neighborhood are interviewed.






26. The main mechanism used by modern political parties to nominate their candidate for President.






27. Communication with legislators or other government officials to try to influence their decisions.






28. Cabinet department responsible for the management of public lands - wildlife - natural resources - and Native American affairs. Established in 1849






29. The view of the majority of the Supreme Court that First Amendment rights must be weighed against the competing needs of the community to preserve order.






30. The claim by presidents of an inherent right to withhold information from Congress and the judiciary.






31. The separation of people by race.






32. In a 1943 case - the Supreme Court upheld the right to refuse to salute the American flag on the basis of the constitutional guarantee of _________________.






33. A pluralist theory by C. Wright Mills where a small number of wealthy elite wield most of the power. Fundamental to all governments around the world - the elite rule while they make the lower classes feel like they are involved in democracy. The elit






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






35. The individuals - institutions - and processes that make the rules for society and possess the power to enforce them.






36. The 19th Century __________ party platform was opposed to the spread of slavery - promoted preservation of the union - supported the abolition of slavery - and promoted post civil was reconstruction.






37. Corporations formed by the government to act as a business to produce a product or service. Often monopolies with varying degrees of independence.






38. Committees of Congress composed of both representatives and senators.






39. A system in which the national government provides grants-in-aid to states using conditions to elicit control.






40. Presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Position awarded to the longest serving Senator from the majority party. 3rd in line of succession for the Presidency.






41. A coherent set of beliefs about politics - public policy - and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political event - personalities - and policies.






42. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was somewhat undermined by racist practices in the real estate market such as _____________ and ______________ - which continued illegally in many areas following passage of the Act.






43. Laws that were designed to segregate black and white Americans and give legal recognition to discrimination.






44. Concept of government by the people in which everyone is free to vote - but normally whoever gets the most votes wins the election and represents all the people - including those who voted for the losing candidate.






45. 19th century case establishing that the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government - upheld until the 20th century. Ruling allowed stated to engage in activities such as establishing state churches and denying public office to people of ce






46. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






47. A form of city government under which a board of city commissioners is popularly elected (often on a nonpartisan ballot). The commissioners make policy as a city council - but they also run city departments as administrators.






48. The fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government - such as freedom of speech - religion - press - and assembly.






49. Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.






50. ____________________ define Congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court.