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 practice under which victorious politicians reward their followers with jobs.






2. Baby boomers - women - and voters with higher levels of education tend to have a ____________ voter turnout.






3. Belief in the value of strong government to provide economic secruity and protection for civil rights - combined with a belief in personal freedom from government intervention in social conduct






4. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is an example of an






5. Federal laws limit the amount of ___________ that can be donated directly to campaign coffers.






6. Committees created by Congress to conduct special investigations. Although normally temporary - some become - in effect - permanent.






7. A government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc.






8. A term coined by President Lyndon B. Johnson to describe his own view of the relationship between Washington and the states.






9. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: diversity/diffusion of power - more access points for political participation - fostering of experimentation and innovation - and allowing local governments to manage local problems effectively






10. The case of Gregg v. Georgia set the precedent for a ________________ system in which guilt and sentencing and tried separately.






11. Repealed by the 21st Amendment - this Amendment prohibited alcohol.






12. These party members take active non-leadership roles such as working polls or contributing money to campaigns. Tend to compromise on important issues and are mostly concerned about winning elections.






13. Senators are re-elected every ___ years with 1/3 of the Senate being up for election every 2 years.






14. During the period from 1976 to 1824 - This party was lead by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. They wanted a stronger national government that would rectify the pitfalls of the Articles of Confederation. Their supporters held a stronghold in New






15. Elects the President if no candidate receives 270 Electoral College votes.






16. The policy established after the Second World War that America must take an active leadership role in world affairs






17. Laws passed by state legislatures that are designed to protect reporters from being forced to reveal their news sources.






18. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






19. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






20. A written opinion by some of the judges of a court which agrees with the majority of the court but might arrive there in a different manner.






21. Appointed by Eisenhower - this Supreme court justice who played an important role in the court's stance on the advancement of civil rights.






22. Capital punishment is also known as the _________________.






23. Government regulation of the economy through its control over the supply of money and the cost and availability of credit. Controlled by the Federal Reserve Board.






24. Important during the Revolution - these bodies organized by the local governments of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution for the purposes of coordinating written communication outside of the colony.






25. A judicial opinion agreed to by a majority of the members of a court. A majority opinion sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.






26. Constitutionally empowered to appoint judges - ambassadors - and other high officials - Constitutionally empowered to make treaties with foreign countries.






27. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






28. Which office serves as a watchdog into waste or fraud in the bureaucracy and conducts investigations at the request of congressional committees






29. 1798 Act that criminalized speech that was derisive to the government. Later ruled unconstitutional - Andrew Jackson issued blanket pardon in 1801






30. The power of the president - struck down by the Supreme Court in 1998 - to veto parts of appropriations bills. Most state governors have this power.






31. Which form of registration prevails in all but a few states?






32. A procedure that in certain circumstances permits voters to remove elected state or local officials from office before their terms have expired.






33. The only instance in which the government can prohibit religious activities






34. Practice by which voters of one party crossing over and voting in the primary of another party - effectively allowing a party to help choose its opposition's candidate.






35. Tests of a voter's ability to read and write - which were often used to keep recent immigrants and blacks from voting.






36. Lead by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. Dedicated to defending federal authority and high tariffs. Gained supports of merchants - bankers - industrialists and planters.






37. A world economy characterized by the free movement of goods - capital - labor - and information across national borders.






38. PACs may donate a ______________ amount of indirect or in-kind donations to a campaign. (Ex. placing ads to support their candidate)






39. In Woodson v. North Carolina - the Supreme Court struck down mandatory sentencing of capital punishment as ______________________ because it does not allow for any discretion.






40. Executive office responsible for negotiating trade with foreign powers.






41. An opinion of one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment.






42. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over lawsuits filed against the agency.






43. Independent organizations - but more often the political arms of corporations - labor unions - or interest groups - established to contribute to candidates or to work for general political goals.






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






45. Lead by Theodore Roosevelt - this party platform focused on women's suffrage - social reform - fair business practices - and direct election of senators. The won 25% of the popular vote in 1911 - splitting the Republican vote and allowing Democrat Wo






46. Most modern political scientists believe there is ________________ between politics and government.






47. In the area of foreign affairs - _______________ often have the advantage because






48. These party members are highly involved in the electoral process. Donate funds to party and candidates - demand a voice in state party agendas and tend to have a strong belief in their party's ideology.






49. An official document - published every weekday - which lists the new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies.






50. The period of time after the election of FDR until the Vietnam War was dominated by the Democratic Party and know as the __________________ Era.