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






2. 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.






3. Age requirement for President






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






5. 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






6. Guarantees the right to a civil trial by jury.






7. 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:






8. A provision of the Federal Communications Act that requires broadcasters to provide the same amount of exposure to all legally qualified political candidates.






9. Direct oral or written speech directed at a specific individual or group






10. The philosophy that government should intervene as little as possible in economic affairs.






11. Legislative house whose membership was intended to represent the state.






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






13. 1966 Act allowing citizens to inspect all government records with the exception of classified military or intelligence documents - trade secrets or private personnel files.






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






15. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






16. A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals and present them to a candidate or political party as a 'bundle -' thus increasing the PAC's influence.






17. Political strategists believe that presidential elections will normally be won or lost in _______________states.






18. This called for three-fifths of all slaves in a state were counted for purposes of apportioning representation in the House of Representatives.






19. This 1964 case established strict standards for proving slander and libel - court must prove intent of malice on the part of the publisher.






20. Cabinet department responsible for the management of public lands - wildlife - natural resources - and Native American affairs. Established in 1849






21. 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.






22. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






23. A method available in most states that allows voters - in effect - to 'veto' a bill passed by the legislature or to accept or reject a proposal - such as a bond issue - made by a government agency.






24. Organizations or groups - such as labor unions or fraternal - professional - or religious groups - that may influence an individual's opinion.






25. The process through which an individual acquires a set of political attitudes and forms opinions about political and social issues.






26. This 1st amendment clause prohibits the government from making any law prohibiting the exercise of any religion






27. Political leaders typically try to both lead and follow ____________.






28. Presidential management model requiring the President to have strong leadership skills and a keen eye for detail. FDR and JFK were well known for this style of leadership.






29. (1945-1991) The period after the Second World War marked by rivalry and tension between the two nuclear superpowers - the United States and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ended when the Soviet government collapsed in 1991.






30. Procedure typically requiring 3/5 vote of the entire Senate to end a filibuster.






31. A form of city government under which a council - usually elected on a nonpartisan ticket - hires a professional city manager - who runs the city government and has power to hire and fire officials.






32. Congress' first step towards allocating funds






33. Capital punishment is also known as the _________________.






34. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






35. 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






36. Things government decides to do - example: taxation - crime control - national defense - education - etc.






37. James Madison proposed to deal with the threat of political factions by ______________________.






38. 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






39. _____ out of 9 justices must agree to hear an appellate case brought to them from a lower court.






40. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal






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






42. The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution - setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words - 'We the people of the United States - in order to form a more perfect union. ...'






43. While the verbiage of the 4th Amendment is vague as to what constitutes 'reasonable'. Police departments must rely on _____________; they cannot act on unfounded suspicion.






44. The policy established after the Second World War that America must take an active leadership role in world affairs






45. 1944 case established that as as long as a person accepted their beliefs in good faith that it is not the government's authority to determine whether those beliefs are valid.






46. Courts of original jurisdiction in federal crimes - civil suits under federal law - civil suits between citizens of different states where the amount in question exceeds $50 -000 - bankruptcy proceedings - cases involving some federal administrative






47. This clause of the 1st amendment establishes a 'wall of separation' between church and state.






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






49. Included are Ways and Means - Veteran's Affairs - Transportation and Infrastructure - Standards of Official Conduct - Small Business - Science - Judiciary - Rules - Resources - Oversight of Government Reform - House Administration - Homeland Security






50. Age Requirement for House of Representatives.