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. This 1973 ruling gave local communities the authority to determine obscenity - established three part test for obscene material. To qualify as obscene - speech must be considered obscene by the 'average' person - depict or describe material that is a






2. Voting based on looking back and making judgments about the way things have gone and the kind of government experienced during a political leader's time in office.






3. These parties often emerge as off-shoots of major parties or as single-issue parties. They typically act as critic/innovator bringing attention to issues and influencing the platforms of the major parties.






4. Signed the executive order banning segregation in the armed forces.






5. According to the Speedy Trial Act of 1974 - federal trials must commence within _______ days of arrest with the exception of delay for mental health testing of the defendant and illness of the defendant or key witness.






6. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






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






8. Total number of Representatives apportioned to the states based on population and reapportioned with the census every 10 years






9. The executive office established in response to intelligence lapses during WWI. Oversees American foreign policy and includes the President - Vice President - Secretary of State - Secretary of Defense and is lead by the National Security Advisor.






10. 1966 Act allowing citizens to inspect all government records with the exception of classified military or intelligence documents - trade secrets or private personnel files.






11. A federal tax on imports.






12. 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






13. Between 1909 and 2002 - the number of daily newspapers in the United States______________.






14. Programs mandated by law and not subject to annual review by Congress or the president.






15. The class of independent voters who do not vote according to party affiliation - but who typically have a broader range of concerns than single-issue voters - are known colloquially as






16. Lawsuit brought by an individual or group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated






17. 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.






18. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






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






20. Cabinet department responsible for regulating and promoting trade and maintaining the census Established in 1913..






21. Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.






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






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






24. This House committee is responsible for all taxes - tariffs - and other revenue raising measures in addition to social security - child support - Medicare - foster care - and unemployment.






25. A legal principle of fair dealing - which may provide preventive measures and legal remedies that are unavailable under existing common law and statutory law.






26. This type of government suits a large country with a diverse population






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






28. A system in which the national government sets requirements that are then implemented by state and local governments.






29. _____________ is responsible for monetary policy.






30. A plan to provide billions of dollars of American aid to Western Europe to speed its economic and social recovery after the Second World War.






31. The 1803 case in which the Supreme Court - by declaring a portion of an act of Congress unconstitutional - first firmly set forth and established the power of judicial review.






32. Literally meaning 'right of soil' - confers citizenship by place of birth.






33. The agency that provides Congress with evaluations of public policies is the






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






35. Formal approval or consent given to a constitution - constitutional amendment - or treaty before it goes into effect.






36. During Presidential election years or when the nation is divided on policy agenda - particularly regarding salient issues - voter turnout is _____________






37. The term 'Reagan Democrats' has become a generic term for






38. The belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics






39. In WV State BOE v Barnette (1943) - the Supreme Court ruled that compelling citizens to salute the flag violates the principles of a free society - upholding which 1st Amendment rights?






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






41. Walter DeVries and Lance Tarrance have concluded that in many elections the outcome is determined by ______________.






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






43. Prohibits citizens of one state or foreign country from suing another state.






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






45. Overall spending targets set by the Congress.






46. Until the law was changed in 2002 - the term described unregulated campaign funds not subject to the limits of federal law because they went to party committees and not directly to candidates. The 2002 law banned contributions of soft money to nation






47. Colonies controlled by the British king through governors appointed by him and through the king's veto power over colonial laws.






48. When neither political party is dominant.






49. The name commonly given to a private group - regardless of size - organized to elect political candidates. An organization becomes one by receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1 -000 for the purpose of influencing a federal ele






50. In Johnson v. Texas (1989) - the Supreme Court ruled that burning the flag in a manner that does not pose a threat to people or property is allowed as this type of freedom of speech.