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. 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.






2. In the 1990 case OR State Employment Division v. Smith 1990 - the Supreme court allowed the state to fire employees who use peyote during native American religious ceremonies because it is in violation of drug laws. In this case - which clause of the






3. A tax on voting abolished by the Twenty-fourth Amendment in 1964 - long used by southern states to keep blacks (and - in some cases - poor whites) from participating in elections.






4. State legislation designed to outlaw the union shop - passed by 21 states acting under Section 14B of the federal Taft-Hartley Act.






5. This house committee is responsible for Supervising the authority of the federal government to borrow money - Raising the revenue required to finance the federal government by levying taxes - Overseeing Social Security and other social insurance prog






6. A system of voter registration in which voters must register only once in their district.






7. The Democrats control over politics during the 20th century ended with this President's unpopular handling of the Vietnam War.






8. Formerly known as the Anti-Federalist - this party lead by Thomas Jefferson advocated states rights pressing the causes of the common people and agrarian interest. Dominated the political arena until the Civil War.






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






10. Established national income tax.






11. The reason that electors are chosen in each state by popular vote is ____________.






12. Laws passed by state legislatures that are designed to protect reporters from being forced to reveal their news sources.






13. 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'






14. Congress defined the steps for the creation and admission of new states. It forbade slavery while the region remained a territory although citizens could legalize it. First congress would appoint a territorial governor and judges. Second as soon as 5






15. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.






16. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






17. Author of The Spirit of the Laws advocating balance of power in politics with liberty is dependant upon a separation of the judicial - legislative - and executive branches of government.






18. Presides over the Senate without voting privileges except in the case of a tie.






19. These parties often emerge as off-shoots of major parties or as single-issue parties. They typically act as critic/innovator bringing attention to issues and influencing the platforms of the major parties.






20. Committees created by Congress to conduct special investigations. Although normally temporary - some become - in effect - permanent.






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






22. During the 1800's and early 1900's - some state and local party committees became ________________ dominating party activities. Committee members would promise new recruits money - jobs - and other benefits for joining and voting the straight party t






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






24. Tax legislation must originate in this house.






25. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






26. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






27. 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.'






28. In this case - a gay man from Georgia charged with committing sodomy in his own home with a consenting adult. The court ruled that the Constitution does not explicitly grant the right for homosexuals to practice their lifestyle and that laws against






29. The 1st Amendment states that government cannot issue ______________ - censoring publications before they are published.






30. Federal grants in which the recipient has a lot of discretion over how the money is spent. These grants are issued in support of general government functions such as education and law enforcement.






31. Organization of individuals with similar policy goals who enter the political process to influence legislation that affects the organizations interests






32. 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.






33. Money spent by individuals or gorups not asociated with candidates to elect or defeat candidates for office






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






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






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






37. The term most political scientists prefer to describe the bureaucratic process






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






39. Government regulation of the economy through its control over taxes and government spending. Controlled by the Department of Treasury.






40. First Roman Catholic elected President.






41. The belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics






42. Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial.






43. Cabinet department responsible for the management of public lands - wildlife - natural resources - and Native American affairs. Established in 1849






44. The main mechanism used by modern political parties to nominate their candidate for President.






45. 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 -






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






47. The process through which an individual acquires a set of political attitudes and forms opinions about political and social issues.






48. 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.






49. Political theorist proposed the separation of church and state.






50. Legislative opinions on a matter that do not require Presidential signature.