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. Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has less discretion over how the recipient spends the money.






2. 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.






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






4. In charge of state's legal business. provide advice to other state official and represents the state in court if the state is involved in a lawsuit






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






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






7. In the view of W. Lance Bennett - the people who hold and express opinions are constantly changing - as are the issues and conditions to which the public responds. As a result - Bennett suggests that public opinion is______________.






8. Spending by the national committees of the political parties to support the election of congressional candidates is known as






9. Devolutionary system in which the national government returns tax dollars to the state and local governments primarily in the form of block grants.






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






11. Government regulation of the economy through its control over the supply of money and the cost and availability of credit. Controlled by the Federal Reserve Board.






12. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over lawsuits filed against the agency.






13. Laws - rules - and government programs designed to protect individual rights and specific groups - as well as to benefit society as a whole in such areas as health - worker safety - consumer protection - and the environment.






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






15. Defamation by written or printed words - pictures - or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.






16. What occurs when government adopts a public policy that provides - or distributes - benefits to people or groups.






17. The way things should be by law






18. James Madison proposed to deal with the threat of political factions by ______________________.






19. A White House council created under the National Security Act of 1947 to advise the president and help coordinate American military and foreign policy.






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






21. The class of independent voters who do not vote according to party affiliation - but who typically have a broader range of concerns than single-issue voters - are known colloquially as






22. The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents - such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.






23. Appointed by Eisenhower - this Supreme court justice who played an important role in the court's stance on the advancement of civil rights.






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






25. Limitations on this freedom including prohibition of defamation and obscenity - limitation on commercial speech - and restriction of inciting words that may cause immediate danger.






26. In Congress - _____________ are informal organizations of individual congressional representatives with like interests or constituencies. Members work together to promote the interests of the groups they represent through legislation - policy - and p






27. 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






28. A writ designed to protect against illegal imprisonment by requiring that a person who is detained be brought before a judge for investigation.






29. A term popularized by sociologist Floyd Hunter to describe the community leaders who he said determined policy in Atlanta - Georgia. More broadly - the term is used to describe 'power elites' generally.






30. Presides over any impeachment trial.






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






32. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






33. Colonies in which freely elected legislatures chose the governor and the king could not veto laws.






34. Courts of original jurisdiction in federal crimes - civil suits under federal law - civil suits between citizens of different states where the amount in question exceeds $50 -000 - bankruptcy proceedings - cases involving some federal administrative






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






36. If 10 days remain in session and the president does not sign an act of Congress - the law is ___________.






37. 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.






38. 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.






39. A relaxation of international tensions.






40. A word that comes from two Greek roots - demos - 'the populace -' and kratia - 'rule'






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






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






43. 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.'






44. 1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.






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






46. Provisions tacked on to a piece of legislation that are not relevant to the bill.






47. Court cases that concern crimes committed against the public order.






48. Urban or rural areas in which businesses are encouraged to locate because of tax breaks and other incentives.






49. Belief in the value of strong government to provide economic secruity and protection for civil rights - combined with a belief in personal freedom from government intervention in social conduct






50. A law passed by Congress in 1973 in an effort to set a time limit on the use of combat forces abroad by a president.