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 gap between the government's income and outlays.






2. The Supremacy Clause appears in ________________ of the Constitution.






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






4. A system of _______________ - as in Italy - encourages the existence of many parties by allotting seats to competing candidates according to the percentage of votes they win.






5. A declaration by the President in 1823 that warned European powers to keep out of the Western Hemisphere and pledged that the United States would not intervene in the internal affairs of Europe.






6. A law passed by Congress in 1973 in an effort to set a time limit on the use of combat forces abroad by a president.






7. The uprising of farmers angered by crushing debt and taxes that revealed the failure of the Articles of Confederation.

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8. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.






9. ________ of voters identify with one political party in advance of the campaign.






10. Groups named for the section of the Internal Revenue Service code under which they must report their expenditures. The tax-exempt groups were created to exploit a loophole in the law regulating campaign finance.






11. A tax on voting abolished by the Twenty-fourth Amendment in 1964 - long used by southern states to keep blacks (and - in some cases - poor whites) from participating in elections.






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






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






14. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the concept of privacy included the right to a legal abortion?






15. The attitudes and actions of people that sustain and buttress the political system at all levels and allows the political system to continue to work.






16. Established the Federal Reserve Bank - responsible for conducting the nation's monetary policy - maintaining the stability of the financial system - supervising and regulating banking institutions - and protecting the credit rights of consumers - and






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






18. An annual meeting held in the spring in many New England towns - at which the townspeople come together to elect a board of selectmen and to discuss local policy questions. It has become a symbol of participatory democracy.






19. Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.






20. These voters tend to have a high voter turnout because of their strong since of civic duty due to growing up during an era of political and civil unrest.






21. Powers of government that are specifically granted to the three branches of the federal government under the Constitution.






22. Article VI - Paragraph 2 - of the Constitution - which declares that the Constitution - and the laws and treaties of the United States made under it - are 'the supreme Law of the Land' and prevail over any conflicting state constitutions or laws.






23. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






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






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






26. Bills that benefit legislators' home districts - or powerful corporate contributors - with sometimes wasteful or unnecessary public works or other projects.






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






28. 1925 Supreme Court case overturned Baron v. Baltimore and applied the Bill of Rights to states.






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






30. Loose - competitive relationships among policy experts - interest groups - congressional committees - and federal agencies. Many observers argue that these have replaced iron triangles.






31. In order to win support for ratification of the Constitution - the Federalists had to promise that the first order of business under a new government would be to _______________.






32. Executive office responsible for negotiating trade with foreign powers.






33. Elections that reflect the basic party identification of the voters.






34. Formed as a third party on the issue of slavery by many former Whigs in the 1850's. Anti-slavery platform. Supported by farmers - laborers - and newly-freed blacks.






35. Also known as the Massachusetts ballot - groups candidates according to the office for which they are running






36. If significant amendments are made to a bill during committee - the bill is sometimes given a new number as a _______________.






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






38. _______________ indicates a citizens' faith and trust in government and their own belief that they can understand and influence political affairs






39. In lieu of an indictment - the state prosecutor may file a _______________ charging the person with a crime.






40. Concept of government by the people in which everyone is free to vote - but normally whoever gets the most votes wins the election and represents all the people - including those who voted for the losing candidate.






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






42. Members of this party typically include women who support liberal policies on abortion and equal pay - Jews - Catholics - Blacks and other minorities - Blue-collar working class - urban - labor unions - and intelligensia






43. Government regulation of the economy through its control over taxes and government spending. Controlled by the Department of Treasury.






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






45. The federal fiscal year begins ___________.






46. People may vote in a party's primary only if they are registered members of that party. Independents cannot participate. Note that because some political parties name themselves independent - the term 'non-partisan' often replaces 'independent' when






47. Decides which bills will be considered.






48. 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






49. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.






50. Under this governing document - national government lacked authority to set up tariffs - regulate commerce - levy taxes - control international relations - establish common currency