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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. A close contest; by extension - any contest in which the focus is on who is ahead and how much rather than on substantive differences between the candidates.






2. Concept of the British statesman Edmund Burke that legislators should act according to their own consciences.






3. Federal aid that states and localities may use mostly as they wish.






4. Representatives serve ____ year terms






5. Plan that proposed unicameral legislature with each state having one vote.






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






7. Guarantees that an accused in innocent until proven guilty.






8. Decides which bills will be considered.






9. A philosophy that Supreme Court justices and other judges should boldly apply the Constitution to social and political questions.






10. ________________ of the Constitution dictates how the Constitution shall be amended.






11. This may be done by a national constitutional convention called by Congress on the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures OR By the passage of a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress






12. A primary in which any registered voter is able to vote for candidates from more than one party. A voter - for example - may vote for a Democrat for U.S. senator and for a Republican for governor. In 2000 - the Supreme Court struck down the blanket p






13. The 1896 case of Plessy v. Fergusan established the racial segregation policy of __________________.






14. The concept that political power rests with the people who can create - alter - and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in government






15. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be ___________.






16. American politics is dominated by a small ___________ who is responsible for most of the important policy decisions






17. The belief that one is effective when participating in politics - for example that the government will respond to one's demands






18. A system in which national and state governments are competitors with distinct powers. This system was prominent in the US from the during the 19th century until 1937.






19. An individual who does not join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






20. Makes sure that funds are used safely and wisely. They oversee the state's financial records






21. Smith v. Allwight (1994) was the first vase in which the Supreme Court upheld the voting rights of _____________ in state primary elections.






22. Polls taken as people leave voting places. In the past - television networks sometimes used these polls to predict election outcomes before the polls close. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to project the winner in a state until the major






23. This influential English document refuted divine right of monarchy and made monarchs subject to laws and responsible for crimes






24. When the population's overall feeling of political efficacy is low - voter turnout is _______.






25. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to release these until a majority of polling places had closed in each state






26. These candidates win re-election to the House 80-90% of the time.






27. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is an example of an






28. The 15th Amendment - also know as _________________ - was intended to help recently freed blacks from unconstitutional state laws designed to circumvent federal laws.






29. Legislative house whose membership was intended to represent the state.






30. Literally meaning 'right of blood' - confers citizenship to a child from the parents.






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






32. In Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969) - the Supreme Court established precedents for ___________________ in schools and government institutions.






33. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.






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






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






36. The policy established after the Second World War that America must take an active leadership role in world affairs






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






38. A form of city government under which a council - usually elected on a nonpartisan ticket - hires a professional city manager - who runs the city government and has power to hire and fire officials.






39. Total number of Representatives apportioned to the states based on population and reapportioned with the census every 10 years






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






41. The individuals - institutions - and processes that make the rules for society and possess the power to enforce them.






42. 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






43. A jury of 6 to 12 persons who determine guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action






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






45. California measure designed to deny welfare and other benefits to illegal aliens. Overwhelmingly passed the popular vote - but overturned in federal court because it extending beyond the bounds of state rights to attempt to control immigration.






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

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47. A provision of the Federal Communications Act that requires broadcasters to provide the same amount of exposure to all legally qualified political candidates.






48. A political group organized under section 527 of the IRS code that may accept and spend unlimited amounts of money on election activities so long as they are not spent on broadcast ads run in the last 30 days before a primary or 60 days before a gene






49. This controversial clause of the 9th Amendment has allowed government to expand rights to suit its needs.






50. A government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc.







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