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. Individual contributions to PACs are limited to ______________ dollars per candidate per election with primaries - general and special elections counting separately.






2. Number of original cabinet positions under George Washington.






3. Federal grants in which the recipient has little discretion over how the money is spent. The national government sets narrowly defined rules for use of funds and often requires the states or local governments to provide matching funds. These grants a






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






5. First Roman Catholic elected President.






6. 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.






7. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






8. The estimated number of illegal aliens living in the US.






9. 1966 Act allowing citizens to inspect all government records with the exception of classified military or intelligence documents - trade secrets or private personnel files.






10. First governing document of the Plymouth Colony establishing freedom of religion.






11. The FCC's equal time policy applies to _____________.






12. A place of work in which any person may be hired provided that he or she joins the union within a specified time.






13. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






14. Lawsuit brought by an individual or group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated






15. The 19th Century __________ party platform was opposed to the spread of slavery - promoted preservation of the union - supported the abolition of slavery - and promoted post civil was reconstruction.






16. Organizations or groups - such as labor unions or fraternal - professional - or religious groups - that may influence an individual's opinion.






17. A nation's set of fundamental beliefs about how government and politics should be conducted.






18. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






19. A broadly based coalition that attempts to gain control of the government by winning elections in order to exercise power and reward its members.






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






21. German sociologist theorized that the engine of government needs bureaucracies to provide expertise in a way that short-term elected or appointed official cannot.






22. Leader of the House of Representatives - elected by the majority party. 2nd in line of succession for the Presidency.






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






24. When the minority party becomes stronger than the majority party - usually the result of winning a critical election.






25. Walter DeVries and Lance Tarrance have concluded that in many elections the outcome is determined by ______________.






26. Each Senate committee may have ________ subcommittees.






27. Number of current cabinet positions under GW Bush.






28. Form of government in which the people are sovereign but their power is exercised by their elected representatives.






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






30. Elections that may lead to a basic shift in the party identification of the electorate.






31. The Immigration Act of 1965 abolished the practice of _______________ allowing more diversity among immigrants.






32. ____________ often influence political appointments in an effort to influence bureaucracy.






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






34. The process by which individuals screen out messages that do not conform to their own biases






35. Court cases that involve relations between individuals and organizations - such as a divorce action - or a suit for damages arising from an automobile accident or for violation of a business contract.






36. 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






37. The ______________________ were formed to unite the colonists against Britain.






38. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






39. The fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government - such as freedom of speech - religion - press - and assembly.






40. 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.






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

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


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






43. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






44. Powers of government exercised independently by both the federal and state governments - such as the power to tax.






45. Representing - characterized by - or including members from two parties or factions






46. Presides over any impeachment trial.






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






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. 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






50. During Presidential election years or when the nation is divided on policy agenda - particularly regarding salient issues - voter turnout is _____________