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






2. There are 11 circuit ____________________ who have no original jurisdiction.






3. Which two British Acts - passed in 1764 - caused American colonists for the first time to organize protests against the injustices of British rule - and sparked the rallying cry 'no taxation without representation'?






4. Responsible for assigning bills to committee in the Senate.






5. 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.






6. Voters tendency to identify with a party that shares their views on important issues ignoring the party's stance on issues they deem less important. to be life-long unless there is a major change in the party's platform. 2. Influenced by ra






7. A system in which the national government provides grants-in-aid to states using conditions to elicit control.






8. 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.






9. Which of the following factors is likely to be the weakest indicator of an individual's political beliefs and opinions? Age - Race - Intelligence - or Religion






10. While the voting rights act of 1965 did direct the Attorney General to investigate the constitutionality of poll taxes and prohibit literacy tests - it did not expressly prohibit _____________.






11. First African American appointed to the Supreme Court






12. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






13. The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents - such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.






14. The ______________________ were formed to unite the colonists against Britain.






15. An offical who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of the legislator






16. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






17. A form of city government under which a board of city commissioners is popularly elected (often on a nonpartisan ballot). The commissioners make policy as a city council - but they also run city departments as administrators.






18. Legislative branch incorporating two houses.






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






20. 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






21. Cabinet department oversees nuclear reactors.Established in 1973 in response to the Energy Crisis.






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






23. What occurs when government adopts a public policy that provides - or distributes - benefits to people or groups.






24. Number of original cabinet positions under George Washington.






25. A word that comes from two Greek roots - demos - 'the populace -' and kratia - 'rule'






26. When the population's overall feeling of political efficacy is low - voter turnout is _______.






27. Minor criminal offenses - such as speeding.






28. Laws must be reasonable. The Supreme Court has abandoned this concept in regards to business matters citing that it is the responsibility of Congress to regulate economic matters. The court has continued to apply this to matters of civil liberties an






29. Germany - Switzerland - and India are examples of countries with a _______________ system of government.






30. In the 1962 case of Robinson v. California - the Supreme Court ruled that incarcerating a drug addict is ______________________ because drug addiction is an illness.






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






32. The total group from which poll-takers may select a random sample in order to measure public opinion.






33. Because there is no Senate Rules Committee - Senators can debate a bill for an _________________ time.






34. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.






35. The right to privacy is ___________ in the Constitution.






36. Political party lead by Andrew Jackson from 1828 to 1856. Campaigned against strong central government and fought to end elitism.






37. The constitutional requirement (in article II - sec 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws






38. The concept that all people are of equal worth - even if not of equal ability.






39. Plan that proposed unicameral legislature with each state having one vote.






40. Guarantees that citizens cannot be compelled by the government to act in a way that is contrary to their religious beliefs. (ex. Conscientious objection to military service required by the draft is the execution of ______________)






41. Devolutionary system in which the national government returns tax dollars to the state and local governments primarily in the form of block grants.






42. A jury of 6 to 12 persons who determine guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action






43. Concurrent resolution - adopted by both Houses of Congress - that sets forth a Congressional budget plan for the budget year and at least four out-years.






44. Impact elections by siphoning off votes from major parties spoiling a party's chance in a close race.






45. Spending determined by the number of qualified recipients and their legally determined need is called






46. It the job of _________ committees of a political party to hold voter registration drives - recruit new party members and final candidates for city and county positions.






47. The Supreme Court is the only judicial body that may hear disputes between _________________.






48. Defamation by oral utterance rather than by writing - pictures






49. _____________ was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants (most notably the Irish) rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s.






50. In the 1990 case OR State Employment Division v. Smith 1990 - the Supreme court allowed the state to fire employees who use peyote during native American religious ceremonies because it is in violation of drug laws. In this case - which clause of the