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






2. Legislative house responsible for impeachment trials.






3. These voters are registered as a party member but only participate by voting in primary and general elections. Tend to vote straight-party ticket and follow the leads of local party officials.






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






5. Government agencies that exercise quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative powers and are administratively independent of both the president and Congress (although politically independent of neither).






6. 'lame duck' amendment






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






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






9. Political party lead by Andrew Jackson from 1828 to 1856. Campaigned against strong central government and fought to end elitism.






10. A group of people - chosen by poll-takers - that is representative of the universe that is being polled.






11. Tax legislation must originate in this house.






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






13. _____________ was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants (most notably the Irish) rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s.






14. Executive office responsible for negotiating trade with foreign powers.






15. Court cases that concern crimes committed against the public order.






16. The proceeding before a judge in which the formal charges of an indictment or information are read to an accused person - who may plead guilty or not guilty.






17. In Reynolds v. US (1879) - the Supreme Court denied this right to Reynolds because his religion's practice of polygamy violated federal law.






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






19. The net balance or relationship between total income and total expenditures by the nation in its dealings with the rest of the world - including trade - loans - and investments.






20. Finding that enough evidence exists to warrant a criminal trial.






21. The case of Gregg v. Georgia set the precedent for a ________________ system in which guilt and sentencing and tried separately.






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






23. Which of the following factors is likely to be the weakest indicator of an individual's political beliefs and opinions? Age - Race - Intelligence - or Religion






24. Powers specifically outlined in the Constitution as assigned to one branch of government.






25. Most house committees are limited to _____ subcommittees.






26. The Supreme Court has ruled that Congress_________________ take away a person's citizenship unless it is freely renounced.






27. Limitations on this freedom including prohibition of defamation and obscenity - limitation on commercial speech - and restriction of inciting words that may cause immediate danger.






28. Unwritten law based on custom and tradition.






29. The yearly value of goods and services produced within a country.






30. While both Asian and Hispanic immigrants experience various types of discrimination - Hispanic immigrants are more likely to experience economic discrimination. This explains why most Hispanics identify with the ____________ party - while Asians do n






31. A federal law passed by Congress in 1939 to restrict political activities by federal workers. The law prevents federal employees while on duty from taking an active part in party politics or campaigns and also bars federal employees from running for






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






33. Elects the President if no candidate receives 270 Electoral College votes.






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






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






36. There is an _____________ relationship between Presidential approval ratings and unemployment.






37. The median income of women is ___________ percent of men.






38. A declaration by the President in 1823 that warned European powers to keep out of the Western Hemisphere and pledged that the United States would not intervene in the internal affairs of Europe.






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






40. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






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






42. _____________ is responsible for monetary policy.






43. This influential English document signed by King John in 1215 limited the absolute power of the monarchy - established due process - and limited arbitrary seizure of property.






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






45. After analyzing 1 -795 platform pledges over a 10-year period - Gerald M. Pomper concluded that almost ____________ of these promises were fulfilled






46. The spread of nuclear weapons to more nations.






47. The strongest factor contributing to an individual's political socialization tends to be






48. It is possible either to describe people - government - politics - and power as isolated - static elements - or to look at them as interacting elements in a_______________.






49. After a bill is assigned to a committee - the next step is typically a ______________.






50. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.