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 the president - struck down by the Supreme Court in 1998 - to veto parts of appropriations bills. Most state governors have this power.






2. 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






3. A system in which national and state governments are competitors with distinct powers. This system was prominent in the US from the during the 19th century until 1937.






4. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






5. The estimated number of illegal aliens living in the US.






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






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 Civil Rights Act of 1964 was somewhat undermined by racist practices in the real estate market such as _____________ and ______________ - which continued illegally in many areas following passage of the Act.






9. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






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






11. In 1978 - the Supreme Court - in the 'seven dirty words' case - ruled that the government has the right to prohibit the broadcasting of _______________.






12. When the President's own party gains power and influence - it more puts pressure on the President to conform to the will of the party - leading to________________ between the President and the party to define their public identities






13. The 19th Century __________ party platform was opposed to the spread of slavery - promoted preservation of the union - supported the abolition of slavery - and promoted post civil was reconstruction.






14. These voters are registered as a party member but only participate by voting in primary and general elections. Tend to vote straight-party ticket and follow the leads of local party officials.






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






16. Legislative opinions on a matter that do not require Presidential signature.






17. Head of the Supreme Court.






18. An extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion






19. Inherent powers of state governments to pass laws to protect health - safety - and welfare; the national government has no directly granted police powers but accomplishes the same goals through other delegated powers.






20. Most house committees are limited to _____ subcommittees.






21. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to release these until a majority of polling places had closed in each state






22. In states using primaries - the most common form of primary election is the ___________ primary.






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






24. 14th Amendment is often used to support the right to ____________.






25. Number of years a President must reside in the US prior to taking office






26. A procedure that in certain circumstances permits voters to remove elected state or local officials from office before their terms have expired.






27. Designed to protect the individual against the arbitrary power of the state.






28. This influential English document signed by King John in 1215 limited the absolute power of the monarchy - established due process - and limited arbitrary seizure of property.






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






30. Minimum number of voters per state in the Electoral College.






31. Urban or rural areas in which businesses are encouraged to locate because of tax breaks and other incentives.






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






33. The single biggest item in campaign spending at the presidential level is ___________________.






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






35. 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.






36. ________________ of the Constitution dictates how the Constitution shall be amended.






37. A vote in the House of Representatives in which the position of each member is noted and published in the Congressional Record.






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






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






40. 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






41. A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute currently before a court.






42. Assistants to the Majority and Minority Leaders of both the House and Senate.






43. The fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government - such as freedom of speech - religion - press - and assembly.






44. The executive office established in response to intelligence lapses during WWI. Oversees American foreign policy and includes the President - Vice President - Secretary of State - Secretary of Defense and is lead by the National Security Advisor.






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






46. An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government - promoting a free market economy - a non-interventionist foreign policy - and an absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres.






47. A law passed in 1966 that requires federal executive branch and regulatory agencies to make information available to journalists - scholars - and the public unless it falls into one of several confidential categories.






48. An issue on which voters distinguish rival parties by the degree to which they associate each party or candidate with conditions - goals - or symbols the electorate universally approves or disapproves of. Examples of such issues are economic prosperi






49. Federal grants in which the recipient has little discretion over how the money is spent. The national government sets narrowly defined rules for use of funds and often requires the states or local governments to provide matching funds. These grants a






50. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) - founded in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover to help combat the Great Depression - was the predecessor of which federal agencies?