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 elected position of President pro tempore of the Senate is almost always held by






2. Literally - a 'friend of the court' brief - filed by an individual or organization to present arguements in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case






3. The right of the Supreme Court - under the Constitution - to hear certain kinds of cases directly - such as cases involving foreign diplomats - or cases in which one of the 50 states is a party.






4. A close contest; by extension - any contest in which the focus is on who is ahead and how much rather than on substantive differences between the candidates.






5. A federal law passed by Congress in 1939 to restrict political activities by federal workers. The law prevents federal employees while on duty from taking an active part in party politics or campaigns and also bars federal employees from running for






6. This act prohibited Discrimination because of race - color - sex - religion - or national origin by employers or labor unions; The adoption by voting registrars of different standards for black and white applicants; and Racial or religious discrimina






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






8. Law enacted by Congress - or by state legislatures or local legislative bodies.






9. 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






10. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






11. This 1963 case extended the right to counsel to all felony cases.






12. _____________ are expected to specialize in a few policy areas rather than claim expertise in the whole range of legislative concerns






13. 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






14. Government agencies that exercise quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative powers and are administratively independent of both the president and Congress (although politically independent of neither).






15. A vote in the House of Representatives in which the position of each member is noted and published in the Congressional Record.






16. First proposed in 1789 - this amendment passed in 1992 prohibits Congress from raising their own pay. Pay raises may not take affect until the beginning of the next term.






17. The principle - established by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1819 in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland - that the Constitution must be interpreted flexibly to meet changing conditions.






18. The proceeding before a judge in which the formal charges of an indictment or information are read to an accused person - who may plead guilty or not guilty.






19. Type of interest group represented in Washington by another individual or organization. (Ex. Ford Motor Company pays a lobbyist in Washington to represent them.)






20. Includes the 13th - 14th - and 15th Amendments. Abolished slavery and guaranteed due process and equal protection to all citizens.






21. ______________ refers to the differences in political attitudes and voting behavior between men and women






22. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






23. Units of government under the president - within the executive branch - that are not part of a cabinet department.






24. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the concept of privacy included the right to a legal abortion?






25. Legislative house responsible for impeachment trials.






26. What principle - contained in the Fourth Amendment - protects a citizen from unwarranted search and seizure?






27. A registered voter may vote in any party primary regardless of his own party affiliation. When voters do not register with a party before the primary - it is called a pick-a-party primary because the voter can select which party's primary he or she w






28. Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people






29. 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.






30. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.






31. Programs of government - universities - and businesses designed to favor minorities and remedy past discrimination.






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






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






34. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to release these until a majority of polling places had closed in each state






35. Held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.






36. Although camera are allowed in most trial courts - they are banned from ______________.






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






38. In the mid-term elections following a President's inauguration - his party tends to ___________ seats in Congress.






39. This category of interest groups has been the strongest and most effective in lobbying Washington






40. The framers of the Constitution created the Senate to function as a check on the ________________.






41. Bills passed by Congress to pay for the spending it has authorized.






42. President requires their approval to appoint judges - ambassadors and other high officials.






43. 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.






44. Constitutional Article that establishes the Judicial Branch.






45. Under this governing document - national government lacked authority to set up tariffs - regulate commerce - levy taxes - control international relations - establish common currency






46. Laws on Schools - Marriage - and owning property;Licensee Lawyers - Doctors - and Teachers.






47. The kinds of cases that a court has the authority to decide.






48. A provision of law in which Congress asserts the power to nullify actions of the executive branch. In 1983 the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional - but Congress continued to pass laws containing such provisions.






49. The rules and regulations made and applied by federal regulatory agencies and commissions.






50. Popular until the early 20th century when they lost favor to primaries due to corruption - now used in only 12 states.