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. Number of current cabinet positions under GW Bush.






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






3. Compromise between the large states and small states that established the bicameral Legislature consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Also included 3/5 compromise on the status of slaves in representation.






4. International agreements between the president and foreign heads of state that - unlike treaties - do not require Senate approval.






5. Held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.






6. Elections that reflect the basic party identification of the voters.






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






8. Number of years a Senator must reside in the US prior to taking office






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






10. The responsibility of the President to appoint federal judges when vacancies occur on the bench is referred to as






11. Formed as a third party on the issue of slavery by many former Whigs in the 1850's. Anti-slavery platform. Supported by farmers - laborers - and newly-freed blacks.






12. The single biggest item in campaign spending at the presidential level is ___________________.






13. Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees - task forces - and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.






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






15. 1976 Law requiring all governmental agency meetings to be open to the public unless classified information will be discussed.






16. Minimum number of voters per state in the Electoral College.






17. Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has less discretion over how the recipient spends the money.






18. Independent agencies governed by an appointed and confirmed commission. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration - Environmental Protection Agency - and the Securities and Exchange Commission.






19. A coherent set of beliefs about politics - public policy - and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political event - personalities - and policies.






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






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






22. Overall spending targets set by the Congress.






23. Laws must be administered in a fair manner.






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






25. A form of city government under which power is divided between a mayor and an elected city council.






26. Programs mandated by law and not subject to annual review by Congress or the president.






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. 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






29. The principle that the government - as provided in the Fifth Amendment - can take property for 'public use' with 'just compensation' to the owners.






30. 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.






31. An ideology that advocates limits on government power to address economic and social problems - relying instead on economic markets and individual initiative to address problems like health care and education - while promoting government involvement






32. Unwritten law based on custom and tradition.






33. Lead by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. Dedicated to defending federal authority and high tariffs. Gained supports of merchants - bankers - industrialists and planters.






34. The gap between the government's income and outlays.






35. Clause of the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 10) intended to prohibit state governments from modifying contracts made between individuals; interpreted as prohibiting state governments from taking actions that adversely affect property rights.






36. Tips the balance between two leading candidates by attracting a minority of voters who otherwise might have voted for one of the leading candidates.






37. A word that comes from two Greek roots - demos - 'the populace -' and kratia - 'rule'






38. These party members are highly involved in the electoral process. Donate funds to party and candidates - demand a voice in state party agendas and tend to have a strong belief in their party's ideology.






39. 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.






40. Political commercials that strongly attack a rival candidate.






41. Theory that a government requires the consent of the governed.






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






43. 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






44. Guarantees the right to bare arms.






45. A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute currently before a court.






46. Permitted court authorized wire-tapping and bugging by federal - state - and local authorities and use of such evidence in trial. Later reversed by the Supreme Court based on 4th Amendment rights.






47. Private groups that attempt to influence the government to respond to the shared attitudes of their members.






48. Includes the 13th - 14th - and 15th Amendments. Abolished slavery and guaranteed due process and equal protection to all citizens.






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






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