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






2. A government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc.






3. The drawing of the lines of congressional districts - or of any other political district - in order to favor one political party or group over another.






4. Political commercials that strongly attack a rival candidate.






5. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






6. The view advocated by Supreme Court Justices Hugo Black and William O. Douglas that there are provisions of the Bill of Rights that cannot be diluted by judicial decisions.






7. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






8. Most house committees are limited to _____ subcommittees.






9. 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:






10. The kinds of cases that a court has the authority to decide.






11. An interest group organization that represents a specific group of people (Ex. NAACP - AARP)






12. Legislature bills that affect all citizens.






13. This act prohibited Discrimination because of race - color - sex - religion - or national origin by employers or labor unions; The adoption by voting registrars of different standards for black and white applicants; and Racial or religious discrimina






14. Department established in 1988 by President G.H. Bush.

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15. 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 _____________.






16. Dissenting Democrats focused on foreign affairs. Aligned with the US Communist Party.

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17. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






18. Committees created by Congress to conduct special investigations. Although normally temporary - some become - in effect - permanent.






19. Requires the Electoral College to vote for President and Vice President separately.






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






21. 1917 Reincarnation of the Sedition Act during WWI






22. The 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act - the 1965 Highway Beautification Act and the 1964 Civil Rights Act are all examples of ____________________.






23. During the 1800's and early 1900's - some state and local party committees became ________________ dominating party activities. Committee members would promise new recruits money - jobs - and other benefits for joining and voting the straight party t






24. In WV State BOE v Barnette (1943) - the Supreme Court ruled that compelling citizens to salute the flag violates the principles of a free society - upholding which 1st Amendment rights?






25. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






26. Total number of Representatives apportioned to the states based on population and reapportioned with the census every 10 years






27. The net balance or relationship between total income and total expenditures by the nation in its dealings with the rest of the world - including trade - loans - and investments.






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






29. A power of the president to kill a bill by taking no action (if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period after the president receives the bill). Some court rulings have suggested that a president may exercise a pocket veto only when Congress adjour






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






31. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






32. Leader of the House of Representatives - elected by the majority party. 2nd in line of succession for the Presidency.






33. Legislative house whose members were intended to represent the people.






34. These dissenting Republicans won 17% of the popular vote in 1924 on a platform for public control of national resources and railways - tax reductions - and changes to the staff of the executive department

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35. 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






36. 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.






37. The gap between the government's income and outlays.






38. A group of people - chosen by poll-takers - that is representative of the universe that is being polled.






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






40. The way things should be by law






41. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be ___________.






42. After a bill is assigned to a committee - the next step is typically a ______________.






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






44. After hearings are complete - a congressional subcommittee will usually determine a bill's future in final deliberations known as






45. The president - the vice president - the heads of the major executive departments of the government - and certain other senior officials who may hold 'cabinet rank.'






46. A system of voter registration in which voters must register every year or at other stated intervals.






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






48. 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.






49. The principle - established by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1819 in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland - that the Constitution must be interpreted flexibly to meet changing conditions.






50. Constitutionally required address by the President typically given in a joint session of Congress.