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






2. 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.'






3. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






4. ________________ of the Constitution governs the relationships of the states.






5. Amendment that delegated the election of Senators to popular vote.






6. Unwritten law based on custom and tradition.






7. 1966 Act allowing citizens to inspect all government records with the exception of classified military or intelligence documents - trade secrets or private personnel files.






8. The Immigration Act of 1965 abolished the practice of _______________ allowing more diversity among immigrants.






9. Population migration patterns since the second World War have increased the power of _____________.






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






11. Head of the Supreme Court.






12. Beginning with the election of Abraham Lincoln - the period between 1860 and the Great Depression was dominated by this political party.






13. The 23rd Amendment guaranteed voting rights to whom?






14. 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






15. Term limit for House of Representatives.






16. 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






17. The total amount of money that the United States owes to its creditors.






18. Love of country and a desire for independence; it can also mean an excessive form of patriotism exploited by political leaders.






19. Assigns bills to the appropriate House committee.






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






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






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






23. 6 In the view of Robert L. Lineberry - policy analysts focus on the _______________.






24. This 1973 ruling gave local communities the authority to determine obscenity - established three part test for obscene material. To qualify as obscene - speech must be considered obscene by the 'average' person - depict or describe material that is a






25. Voter turnout is usually ____________ when there is a binding referendum on the ballot.






26. The overall public has a ___________ view of PACS in terms of bought votes and adding to the cost of running for office






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






28. A provision of law in which Congress asserts the power to nullify actions of the executive branch. In 1983 the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional - but Congress continued to pass laws containing such provisions.






29. Committees of Congress composed of both representatives and senators.






30. Approximately 33% of American voters identify themselves as _______________ party.






31. Its the responsibility of ___________ committees of a political party to solidify the party within each state and organize primary elections






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






33. The sum of the goals - decisions - and actions that govern a nation's relations with the rest of the world.






34. Philosopher John Locke - in his 1690 work Civil Government (second treatise) - advised separation of government power between






35. 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






36. Established the Federal Reserve Bank - responsible for conducting the nation's monetary policy - maintaining the stability of the financial system - supervising and regulating banking institutions - and protecting the credit rights of consumers - and






37. The principle of civilian control of the military - based on the clear constitutional power of the president as supreme commander of the armed forces.






38. This 1963 case extended the right to counsel to all felony cases.






39. In addition to overseeing the activities of one or more federal agencies - a ___________________may also serve as the authorizing committee for federal agencies' programs and operations.






40. A legislator who automatically mirrors the will of the majority of his or her constituents.






41. Type of interest group represented in Washington by another individual or organization. (Ex. Ford Motor Company pays a lobbyist in Washington to represent them.)






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






43. 19th century case establishing that the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government - upheld until the 20th century. Ruling allowed stated to engage in activities such as establishing state churches and denying public office to people of ce






44. Control of a market by a single company.






45. 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.






46. To negotiate a complex and politically sensitive trade treaty - a President will often






47. 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.






48. Included are Agriculture - Nutrition - and Forestry; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking - Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce - Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Health - Education -






49. The possible tendency of some voters or convention delegates to support the candidate who is leading in the polls and seems likely to win.






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