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. In California v. Avecedo (1991) - The Supreme Court established that authorities may search ____________________ without a warrant providing reasonable suspicion.






2. The primary purpose of _______________consolidate the nation's disability laws and provide for strong federal enforcement of a strengthened disability rights mandate






3. Early civil rights leader established the Niagara Movement and helped to establish the NAACP.






4. First Roman Catholic elected President.






5. A nation's set of fundamental beliefs about how government and politics should be conducted.






6. A group of independent states or nations that come together for a common purpose and whose central authority is usually limited to defense and foreign relations.






7. Powers of government exercised independently by both the federal and state governments - such as the power to tax.






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






9. This amendment applied the Bill of Rights to states.






10. A controversial law overwhelmingly passed by Congress in October 2001 - after the terrorist attacks of September 11 on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It greatly expanded the power of federal law enforcement authorities to move against suspe






11. Lobbyists for special interest groups have found ____________________ to be the most direct and effective method to secure their objectives in Congress.






12. Between conventions - the governing body of a major political party. Members of this group are chosen in the states and formally elected by the party






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






14. Organization of individuals with similar policy goals who enter the political process to influence legislation that affects the organizations interests






15. Presidential management model in which the Chief of Staff plays a prominent role as the head of a military style chain of command. Used successfully by Reagan and Eisenhower.






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






17. The body composed of electors from the 50 states who formally have the power to elect the president and vice president of the United States. Each state has a number of electors and electoral votes equal to its number of senators and representatives i






18. 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'?






19. Clause in the 14th Amendment that forbids any state to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. The 5th Amendment also imposes this limitation on the national government.






20. 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 _____________.






21. In his classic study of community power in New Haven - Connecticut - political scientist Robert A. Dahl concluded that the city was a __________ system dominated by many different sets of leaders






22. Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.






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






24. Government regulation of the economy through its control over the supply of money and the cost and availability of credit. Controlled by the Federal Reserve Board.






25. A written opinion by some of the judges of a court which agrees with the majority of the court but might arrive there in a different manner.






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






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






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






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






30. Responsible for determining which bills will be considered on the House floor - and when they will be considered.






31. The practice that allows senators to delay or even kill floor action on legislation - a nomination - or other matters by asking their party leaders not to schedule them.






32. These party members tend to be ideologues who put issues ahead of winning elections and withhold support from candidates who do not share their stance on issues. Very active in special interest groups and caucuses within the party. Willing to break a






33. (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.






34. Th joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot as required by the twelfth amendment






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






36. Committees of Congress composed of both representatives and senators.






37. Congress defined the steps for the creation and admission of new states. It forbade slavery while the region remained a territory although citizens could legalize it. First congress would appoint a territorial governor and judges. Second as soon as 5






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






39. The process by which individuals screen out messages that do not conform to their own biases






40. The Democrats control over politics during the 20th century ended with this President's unpopular handling of the Vietnam War.






41. 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






42. A place of work in which any person may be hired provided that he or she joins the union within a specified time.






43. Considered the most sacred right in American history. Colonists felt oppressed by the tyranny of the crown but were unable to speak up about it for fear of repercussion.






44. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






45. The claim by presidents of an inherent right to withhold information from Congress and the judiciary.






46. Wisconsin Republican who exploited public concern for political gain during the 1950's through freewheeling investigations of alleged Communists.






47. A group of high-level administrators and managers at the top of the government bureaucracy. SES members have less job tenure but are eligible for substantial cash bonuses for merit.






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






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






50. Established by President Hoover - It is the _______________ job to keep the press informed and orchestrate press conferences