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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. 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.






2. Overall spending targets set by the Congress.






3. A centralized system of government - such as that of France - where most of the important policy decisions are made by a central government.






4. He United States Constitution was opposed by which group?






5. A Latin phrase meaning 'stand by past decisions -' a principle that judges often use in deciding cases. Ruling based on precedents.






6. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: diversity/diffusion of power - more access points for political participation - fostering of experimentation and innovation - and allowing local governments to manage local problems effectively






7. A technique polling organizations use in which several people from the same neighborhood are interviewed.






8. The average voter turnout between 1960 and 2004 was __________ percent






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

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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. The belief that all people possess certain basic rights that may not be abridged by government.






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






13. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






14. The relationship between the total cost of foreign goods imported to this country and sales of U.S. products overseas.






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

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16. Serious crimes - such as murder - arson - or rape.






17. A public policy that takes something away from one person or group and gives it to another person or group.






18. Programs of government - universities - and businesses designed to favor minorities and remedy past discrimination.






19. Number of Electoral College votes required to win the Presidency.






20. A method of amending state constitutions under which proposed constitutional amendments can be placed on the ballot if enough signatures are obtained on a petition. Almost half the states also employ the initiative on the ballot to allow voters to en






21. A powerful alliance of mutual benefit among an agency or unit of the government - an interest group - and a committee or subcommittee of Congress. Also called a triangle or iron triangle.






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






23. The Supreme Court's broad interpretation of this clause has denied direct aid from the government for religious groups - but does allow religious groups to make use of government services such as police and fire.






24. 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.






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






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






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






28. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: conflicts between state and national government - economic and racial discrimination - uneven enforcement of law - and dominance of local governments by special interest groups






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






30. In Reynolds v. US (1879) - the Supreme Court denied this right to Reynolds because his religion's practice of polygamy violated federal law.






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






32. The response of the rest of society to actions by the authorities.






33. This author of Leviathon posited that government is necessary because people are generally in a state of conflict.






34. As part of the negotiations concerning the Constitution - the South fought for and won an agreement forbidding the imposition of _______________.






35. Requires that a suspect in a federal case be arraigned without unnecessary delay.






36. In this essay - James Madison recognized that reconciling the competing interests of various groups was what legislation was all about






37. ____________________ define Congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court.






38. The Supreme Court holds _____________ jurisdiction in cases against the US - ambassadors - public ministers - and consuls.






39. Federal and State Courts function in a _____________manner so that federal courts may receive appeals from state courts.






40. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






41. This Supreme Court case infamously decided that a slave was not a citizen but property to be 'used in subservience to the interests - the convenience - or the will of his owner'






42. The elected position of President pro tempore of the Senate is almost always held by






43. 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






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






45. Largest interest group in the US.






46. The expansion of cable and satellite tv has _________________ the president's power to influence public opinion.






47. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.






48. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






49. Test whereby the Supreme Court established criteria by which state may provide aid to religious groups.






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







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