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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. Tax legislation must originate in this house.






2. Elections that may lead to a basic shift in the party identification of the electorate.






3. Process by which citizens propose an amendment by petition.






4. A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute currently before a court.






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 Repealed by the 21st Amendment - this Amendment prohibited alcohol.






6. Representatives serve ____ year terms






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. This influential English document signed by King John in 1215 limited the absolute power of the monarchy - established due process - and limited arbitrary seizure of property.






9. 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.






10. Clause of the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 10) intended to prohibit state governments from modifying contracts made between individuals; interpreted as prohibiting state governments from taking actions that adversely affect property rights.






11. The concentration of economic power in the hands of a relatively few large companies.






12. The drawing of the lines of congressional districts - or of any other political district - in order to favor one political party or group over another.






13. In his historic decision in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Chief Justice Marshall established the principle of _____________.






14. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






15. A philosophy that Supreme Court justices and other judges should boldly apply the Constitution to social and political questions.






16. (1781-1789) The written framework for the government of the original 13 states before the Constitution was adopted. Under this - the national government was weak and dominated by the states. There was a unicameral legislature - but no national execut






17. Elections in which the majority party (according to party identification) is defeated in a temporary reversal.






18. First Roman Catholic elected President.






19. A centralized system of government - such as that of France - where most of the important policy decisions are made by a central government.






20. Executive Check on the Legislative Branch.






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






22. In Congress - _____________ are informal organizations of individual congressional representatives with like interests or constituencies. Members work together to promote the interests of the groups they represent through legislation - policy - and p






23. Lobbyists for special interest groups have found ____________________ to be the most direct and effective method to secure their objectives in Congress.






24. This group of voters historically supported Republicans - a party founded on an anti-slavery platform. During the 1930's they began supporting the New Deal policies of the Democratic party.






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






26. In a political campaign - the surest way of reaching the largest number of voters is usually _____________.






27. 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.






28. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






29. In 1872 - Susan B Anthony was arrested in Rochester - New York for






30. 6 In the view of Robert L. Lineberry - policy analysts focus on the _______________.






31. The power of some municipalities to modify their charters and run their affairs without approval by the state legislature.






32. A broadly based coalition that attempts to gain control of the government by winning elections in order to exercise power and reward its members.






33. 1917 Reincarnation of the Sedition Act during WWI






34. According to this nineteenth-century British peer and historian - 'power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'






35. Number of years a Representative must reside in the US prior to taking office






36. Polls taken as people leave voting places. In the past - television networks sometimes used these polls to predict election outcomes before the polls close. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to project the winner in a state until the major






37. An issue on which voters distinguish rival parties by the degree to which they associate each party or candidate with conditions - goals - or symbols the electorate universally approves or disapproves of. Examples of such issues are economic prosperi






38. Author of The Spirit of the Laws advocating balance of power in politics with liberty is dependant upon a separation of the judicial - legislative - and executive branches of government.






39. This house committee is responsible for Supervising the authority of the federal government to borrow money - Raising the revenue required to finance the federal government by levying taxes - Overseeing Social Security and other social insurance prog






40. Form of government in which the people are sovereign but their power is exercised by their elected representatives.






41. In Schenck v. US (1919) - The Supreme Court ruled that government may prohibit speech that creates an immediate threat of criminal action. Essentially established different standards for speech during wartime than in peacetime. Thus - establishing th






42. The pursuit and exercise of power.






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






44. Today the Senate operates with ____ standing and select committees. These select committees - however - are permanent in nature and are treated as standing committees under Senate rules.






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






46. 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.






47. Which branch has the power to stop an executive order?






48. The Supreme Court has ruled that Congress_________________ take away a person's citizenship unless it is freely renounced.






49. The gap between the government's income and outlays.






50. The separation of people by race.







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