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. The Supreme Court practice of applying most of the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment.






2. Today the South is is a two-party battleground - in which the ______________ often have the upper hand






3. Requires reporting of financial information by companies with publicly traded securities






4. Special courts assigned to deal with specific legislative issues such as taxes - military appeals - and international trade.






5. Washington v. Chrisman (1982) established the _________________ - allowing police officers to seize evidence without a warrant if the evidence is in obvious sight.






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






7. This clause of the 1st amendment establishes a 'wall of separation' between church and state.






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






9. While these voters have traditionally supported the Democrats - some have begun to support Republicans in light of the Democrats liberal policies on abortion.






10. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






11. Number of current cabinet positions under GW Bush.






12. Cabinet department that includes the FAA and the National Hwy Traffic Safety Administration. Established in 1966.






13. An act of legislature declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing them without benefit of a trial. Constitutionally prohibited.






14. An economy in which most economic decisions result from the interaction of buyers and sellers in markets - but in which the government plays a significant role in the allocation of resources.






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






16. 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.






17. Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.






18. ______________ refers to the differences in political attitudes and voting behavior between men and women






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






20. The right to privacy is ___________ in the Constitution.






21. 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.






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






23. 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






24. In 2002 - a federal appeals court struck down the Pledge of Allegiance on the grounds that it violated ________________.






25. Executive check on Legislative Branch.






26. Literally - a 'friend of the court' brief - filed by an individual or organization to present arguements in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case






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






28. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






29. Electoral college system and other campaign practices make it exceedingly difficult for even popular ______________ candidates to successfully run for the presidency.






30. Passed in 1883 - it created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.






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






32. A term often used to describe the economic and political ties between the military establishment and the defense-aerospace industry.






33. The proceeding before a judge in which the formal charges of an indictment or information are read to an accused person - who may plead guilty or not guilty.






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






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






36. Head of the Supreme Court.






37. An opinion of one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment.






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






39. A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute currently before a court.






40. 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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41. The concept that all people are of equal worth - even if not of equal ability.






42. Direct oral or written speech directed at a specific individual or group






43. This event was an important factor in creating the climate for a new Constitution.

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44. Colonies in which the proprietors (who had obtained their patents from the king) named the governors - subject to the king's approval.






45. Control of a market by a single company.






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






47. The practice of victorious politicians to reward their followers with jobs. Also known as the spoils system.






48. The chair and the heads of the three armed services - and - when Marine Corps matters are under consideration - the commandant of the marines. By law - they advise the president and the secretary of defense and are the chiefs of their respective mili






49. In _______________ cases such as Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) - the Supreme Court has upheld that while Affirmative action policies are legal - race and gender cannot be the only determining factors.






50. Political leaders typically try to both lead and follow ____________.