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. A device that allows the House of Representatives to conduct its business with fewer restrictions on debate and a quorum of only 100 members.






2. An individual who does not join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






3. 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.






4. Age Requirement for House of Representatives.






5. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






6. 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 _________________.






7. Grants that an accused may not be held in custody without charge - literally 'You shall have the body'.






8. 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.






9. Includes expressive conduct/assembly/actions and symbolic behavior (ex. Picketing or burning the flag) Based on our country history of symbolic acts such as the Boston Tea Party - courts almost always uphold symbolic acts of speech unless they are cr






10. The only court specifically outlined in the Constitution.






11. American politics is dominated by a small ___________ who is responsible for most of the important policy decisions






12. The average voter turnout between 1960 and 2004 was __________ percent






13. Number of Electoral College votes required to win the Presidency.






14. Disapproval of a bill by a chief executive - such as the president or a governor.






15. The formal source of all authority in each major political party. It nominates the party candidates for president and vice president - writes a platform - settles disputes - writes rules - and elects the members of the national committee.






16. The absent colony at the 2nd Continental Congress.






17. Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial.






18. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






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






20. Agenda that includes issues that affect the daily lives of the people.






21. In presidential campaigns - federal matching funds are provided to candidates who ______________.






22. Washington v. Chrisman (1982) established the _________________ - allowing police officers to seize evidence without a warrant if the evidence is in obvious sight.






23. ______________________is responsible for the management of the federal debt and the printing of currency. It is the major fiscal policy agency.






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






25. The President's role in the armed forces which during the 20th century has allowed Presidents to circumvent Congress' refusal to declare war.






26. 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.






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






28. This body of government has final authority on the meaning of the Constitution.






29. Executive check on Legislative Branch.






30. Representatives serve ____ year terms






31. Powers of the national government that flow from its enumerated powers and the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution.






32. Which committee assignments would confer the most power and influence on members of the Senate?






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






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






35. 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.






36. Number of years a Senator must reside in the US prior to taking office






37. 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.






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






39. A method of amending state constitutions under which proposed constitutional amendments can be placed on the ballot if enough signatures are obtained on a petition. Almost half the states also employ the initiative on the ballot to allow voters to en






40. Requests from people or groups for health care for the aged - loans for college students - equal opportunity for minorities - and higher subsidies for farmers are examples of:






41. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted






42. The house armed services and foreign affairs committees each have ___ subcommittees.






43. A ruling by the Supreme Court in 1857






44. The federal department that administers programs that provide services to farmers (including research and soil conservation and efforts to stabilize the farming economy)






45. Makes sure that funds are used safely and wisely. They oversee the state's financial records






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






47. Guaranteed women the right to vote.






48. A 1972 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union limiting the number of defensive missiles each country could build. In 2001 President George W. Bush withdrew the United States from the treaty.






49. Since 1960 - there has been a general trend of ______________ participation in elections.






50. Amendment that delegated the election of Senators to popular vote.