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. Which historical figure described democracy as 'the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time?'






2. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.






3. Compromise between the large states and small states that established the bicameral Legislature consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Also included 3/5 compromise on the status of slaves in representation.






4. This amendment includes the due process clause - the equal protection clause - and gave rights to former slaves.






5. Form of obstruction in the Senate where an attempt is made to infinitely extend debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place.






6. Process by which citizens propose an amendment by petition.






7. In a political campaign - the surest way of reaching the largest number of voters is usually _____________.






8. Information sent out in order to observe the reaction of an audience. Used by politicians who deliberately leak information on a policy change under consideration.






9. States that arrestees must be informed of their right to remain silent - that anything they say can be held against them in a court - that they have a right to an attorney and that an attorney will be appointed to them if they cannot afford one.






10. Age Requirement for the Senate






11. Corporations formed by the government to act as a business to produce a product or service. Often monopolies with varying degrees of independence.






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






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






14. An economic system of free enterprise with private ownership of the means of production.






15. A political candidate who is thought to have only an outside chance of gaining the nomination.






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






17. 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






18. 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:






19. Control of a market by a single company.






20. Private groups that attempt to influence the government to respond to the shared attitudes of their members.






21. Established in 1947 as a combined Department of War and Navy.






22. Members of this party typically include Conservative Christian groups - higher socio-economic classes - middle-class white collar - and suburban voters.






23. The European political philosophers whose writings influenced the concepts of liberty and government contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution belonged to the intellectual and cultural movement known as






24. President requires their approval to appoint judges - ambassadors and other high officials.






25. Which branch has the power to stop an executive order?






26. Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people






27. The practice under which victorious politicians reward their followers with jobs.






28. Proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 as an attempt to form a union of the colonies. Later used to help form the Articles of Confederation.






29. A philosophy that the Supreme Court should avoid constitutional questions when possible and uphold acts of Congress unless they clearly violate a specific section of the Constitution.






30. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted






31. Age Requirement for House of Representatives.






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






33. The constitutional requirement (in article II - sec 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws






34. The President's role in the armed forces which during the 20th century has allowed Presidents to circumvent Congress' refusal to declare war.






35. Signed the executive order banning segregation in the armed forces.






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






37. This House committee is responsible for all taxes - tariffs - and other revenue raising measures in addition to social security - child support - Medicare - foster care - and unemployment.






38. 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.






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






40. The Jacksonian Era marked an important change in the process used to nominate Presidential candidates with the emergence of party _________________ - eliminating caucuses.






41. Programs mandated by law and not subject to annual review by Congress or the president.






42. The most important committees - always assembled and delegated with the responsibility of handling all bills under their concern. Includes the Ways and Means - Appropriations - Budget - Rules and Agriculture Committees.






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

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44. 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.






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






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






47. Impact elections by siphoning off votes from major parties spoiling a party's chance in a close race.






48. A federal tax on imports.






49. Raise Public Awareness - Create Policy Agenda - Prioritize Agenda - Enact Policy - Public Evaluation






50. The issue of slavery split the Democratic Party into what two factions?