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 extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion






2. The number of ______________ a state receives is based on the number Representatives and Senators that the state has in Congress






3. Guarantees the right to a civil trial by jury.






4. A system of _______________ - as in Italy - encourages the existence of many parties by allotting seats to competing candidates according to the percentage of votes they win.






5. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the concept of privacy included the right to a legal abortion?






6. He United States Constitution was opposed by which group?






7. Constitutionally required address by the President typically given in a joint session of Congress.






8. Which office serves as a watchdog into waste or fraud in the bureaucracy and conducts investigations at the request of congressional committees






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






10. The provisions of the Constitution that divide power among three constitutionally equal and independent branches of government






11. 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.






12. A system in which the national government sets requirements that are then implemented by state and local governments.






13. Loose - competitive relationships among policy experts - interest groups - congressional committees - and federal agencies. Many observers argue that these have replaced iron triangles.






14. The overall public has a ___________ view of PACS in terms of bought votes and adding to the cost of running for office






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






16. Programs are designed to give preferential access to education - employment - health care - or social welfare to groups of people - especially minorities and women - who have historically been discriminated against.






17. The way things should be by law






18. In the 1925 Gitlow case - the Supreme Court began a process of ______________ of the Bill of Rights to the states.






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






20. A system in which national and state government have shared or overlapping powers. FDR's New Deal legislation established this system in the US.






21. The view of the majority of the Supreme Court that First Amendment rights must be weighed against the competing needs of the community to preserve order.






22. In the area of foreign affairs - _______________ often have the advantage because






23. When neither political party is dominant.






24. Dissenting Democrats focused on foreign affairs. Aligned with the US Communist Party.

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25. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






26. The sum of the goals - decisions - and actions that govern a nation's relations with the rest of the world.






27. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






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






29. This category of interest groups has been the strongest and most effective in lobbying Washington






30. A legislature with only one house.






31. A federal tax on imports.






32. The relationship between the total cost of foreign goods imported to this country and sales of U.S. products overseas.






33. 1798 Act that criminalized speech that was derisive to the government. Later ruled unconstitutional - Andrew Jackson issued blanket pardon in 1801






34. President Hoover's laissez-faire approach to the economy during the Great Depression left many poor voters disenfranchised by the Republican Party. They left to join the _______________ Party.






35. First proposed in 1789 - this amendment passed in 1992 prohibits Congress from raising their own pay. Pay raises may not take affect until the beginning of the next term.






36. New Jersey v. TLO (1985) established that school authorities may search students without _____________ as long as they are reasonable.






37. Bills that benefit legislators' home districts - or powerful corporate contributors - with sometimes wasteful or unnecessary public works or other projects.






38. The view advocated by Supreme Court Justices Hugo Black and William O. Douglas that there are provisions of the Bill of Rights that cannot be diluted by judicial decisions.






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






40. 1925 Supreme Court case overturned Baron v. Baltimore and applied the Bill of Rights to states.






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






42. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over budget and appointments of leadership.






43. Repealed by the 21st Amendment - this Amendment prohibited alcohol.






44. 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






45. The total group from which poll-takers may select a random sample in order to measure public opinion.






46. Method by which federal court judges may lose their position.






47. Legislature bills that affect only a small group of citizens.






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






49. Number of years a President must reside in the US prior to taking office






50. Responsible for determining which bills will be considered on the House floor - and when they will be considered.