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. In the Federalist Papers - James Madison proposed that the states under the new Constitution would retain ____________ sovereignty.






2. 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.






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






4. To an extent - the press and the government have a relationship that is _______________ and mutually dependent.






5. Protects against unreasonable search and seizure.






6. In WV State BOE v Barnette (1943) - the Supreme Court ruled that compelling citizens to salute the flag violates the principles of a free society - upholding which 1st Amendment rights?






7. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over the creation and elimination of agencies as well as its control over budget appropriations.






8. Head of the Supreme Court.






9. The binding decisions that the government makes whether in the form of laws -regulations - or judicial decisions






10. Procedure typically requiring 3/5 vote of the entire Senate to end a filibuster.






11. A study of Bennington College students in the 1930s illustrated that the influence of the family on political attitudes tends to ______________ as they grow older and come into contact with other groups.






12. Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






13. A ruling by the Supreme Court in 1857






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






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

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






17. Eisenhower's philosophy of being liberal in all things human and being conservative with all things fiscal. Appealed to both Republicans and Democrats.






18. 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






19. In California v. Avecedo (1991) - The Supreme Court established that authorities may search ____________________ without a warrant providing reasonable suspicion.






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






21. In a political campaign - the surest way of reaching the largest number of voters is usually _____________.






22. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






23. An annual meeting held in the spring in many New England towns - at which the townspeople come together to elect a board of selectmen and to discuss local policy questions. It has become a symbol of participatory democracy.






24. The action - or actions - taken by government to carry out a policy.






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






26. Impact elections by siphoning off votes from major parties spoiling a party's chance in a close race.






27. An interest group organization that represents a specific group of people (Ex. NAACP - AARP)






28. Tests of a voter's ability to read and write - which were often used to keep recent immigrants and blacks from voting.






29. Cabinet department responsible for collective bargaining and union activity. Established in 1913






30. The practice that allows senators to delay or even kill floor action on legislation - a nomination - or other matters by asking their party leaders not to schedule them.






31. Considered the most sacred right in American history. Colonists felt oppressed by the tyranny of the crown but were unable to speak up about it for fear of repercussion.






32. Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution - for example - the authority to print money.






33. In the 1964 case of ____________ - the Supreme Court: established 'one person - one vote' -






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






35. In 1987 - the FCC abandoned the fairness doctrine on the grounds that it unconstitutionally restricted the ______________ rights of broadcasters.






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






37. Members of this party typically include women who support liberal policies on abortion and equal pay - Jews - Catholics - Blacks and other minorities - Blue-collar working class - urban - labor unions - and intelligensia






38. Inherent powers of state governments to pass laws to protect health - safety - and welfare; the national government has no directly granted police powers but accomplishes the same goals through other delegated powers.






39. In his historic decision in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Chief Justice Marshall established the principle of _____________.






40. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






41. A place of work in which only union members may be hired.






42. The 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act banned contributions of soft money to______________.






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






44. The only amendments to be ratified through the process of 'ratifying conventions -' not a vote in the state legislatures






45. Independent organizations - but more often the political arms of corporations - labor unions - or interest groups - established to contribute to candidates or to work for general political goals.






46. In his classic study of community power in New Haven - Connecticut - political scientist Robert A. Dahl concluded that the city was a __________ system dominated by many different sets of leaders






47. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






48. This author was highly influential on Thomas Jefferson - rejecting divine right - proposing that government is a social contract requiring the consent of the govern and establishing the concept of self-evident rights of life - liberty - and property.






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






50. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the 1964 Civil Rights Act does not prohibit private affirmative action programs?