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 registered voter may vote in any party primary regardless of his own party affiliation. When voters do not register with a party before the primary - it is called a pick-a-party primary because the voter can select which party's primary he or she w






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






3. 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.






4. Political commercials that strongly attack a rival candidate.






5. The head of a national political party






6. Judicial Check on Legislative Branch. Not specifically outlined in the Constitution - but established in the case of Marbury v. Madison through the application of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI.






7. Voting based on looking back and making judgments about the way things have gone and the kind of government experienced during a political leader's time in office.






8. Define US Citizenship as any person born or naturalized in the United States.






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






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






11. In 1943 - The Supreme Court upheld the Jehovah's Witnesses right to refrain from saluting the American flag based on their right to _____________.






12. The Supreme Court practice of applying most of the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment.






13. 3 person executive panel responsible for helping the President develop an economic plan for the nation.






14. Most states have ___________ legislatures.






15. 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.






16. The oldest House committee still in existence.






17. Literally meaning 'right of blood' - confers citizenship to a child from the parents.






18. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






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






20. Permitted court authorized wire-tapping and bugging by federal - state - and local authorities and use of such evidence in trial. Later reversed by the Supreme Court based on 4th Amendment rights.






21. Laws must be administered in a fair manner.






22. The right of the Supreme Court - under the Constitution - to hear certain kinds of cases directly - such as cases involving foreign diplomats - or cases in which one of the 50 states is a party.






23. The concept that political power rests with the people who can create - alter - and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in government






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






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






26. Assigns bills to the appropriate House committee.






27. A philosophy that Supreme Court justices and other judges should boldly apply the Constitution to social and political questions.






28. Law enacted in 1939 to prohibit civil servants from taking activists roles in partisan campaigns .This act prohibited federal employees from making political contributions - working for a particualr party -or campaining for a particualr canidate






29. Since 1960 - there has been a general trend of ______________ participation in elections.






30. 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.






31. In presidential campaigns - federal matching funds are provided to candidates who ______________.






32. A federal tax on imports.






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






34. In the mid-term elections following a President's inauguration - his party tends to ___________ seats in Congress.






35. Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.






36. A loose grouping of people and organizations who seek to influence policy formation.






37. The term most political scientists prefer to describe the bureaucratic process






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






39. An ideology that advocates limits on government power to address economic and social problems - relying instead on economic markets and individual initiative to address problems like health care and education - while promoting government involvement






40. While these voters have traditionally supported the Democrats - some have begun to support Republicans in light of the Democrats liberal policies on abortion.






41. 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.






42. This was amended in 1985 to prohibit vote dilution without requiring the proof of discriminatory purpose demanded by the original Act.






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






44. The 1st Amendment states that government cannot issue ______________ - censoring publications before they are published.






45. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






46. Several Presidents have been elected without winning the popular vote. As a result - In 1970 and 1979 - Amendments were proposed to disband the ______________ - neither passed.






47. Cabinet department responsible for collective bargaining and union activity. Established in 1913






48. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over the creation and elimination of agencies as well as its control over budget appropriations.






49. The way things actually are.






50. Popular until the early 20th century when they lost favor to primaries due to corruption - now used in only 12 states.