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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. This was amended in 1985 to prohibit vote dilution without requiring the proof of discriminatory purpose demanded by the original Act.






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






3. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.






4. Makes sure that funds are used safely and wisely. They oversee the state's financial records






5. Article I of the Constitution establishes the ___________________ branch.






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






7. (1945-1991) The period after the Second World War marked by rivalry and tension between the two nuclear superpowers - the United States and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ended when the Soviet government collapsed in 1991.






8. ______________________is responsible for the management of the federal debt and the printing of currency. It is the major fiscal policy agency.






9. The structure and set of regulations in place to control activity - usually in large organizations and government. it is represented by standardized procedure (rule-following) that dictates the execution of most or all processes within the body - for






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






11. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to release these until a majority of polling places had closed in each state






12. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






13. There are 11 circuit ____________________ who have no original jurisdiction.






14. 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?






15. In the year 2000 - the Supreme Court ruled that the Boy Scouts of America had a constitutional right to ban _____________ members.






16. According to this nineteenth-century British peer and historian - 'power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'






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






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






19. 1917 Reincarnation of the Sedition Act during WWI






20. In addition to the doctrine of implied powers - Chief Justice Marshall - in his decision in the Supreme Court case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - established the key concept of:






21. Spending determined by the number of qualified recipients and their legally determined need is called






22. Number of current cabinet positions under GW Bush.






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






24. The doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group






25. Federal grants in which the recipient has a lot of discretion over how the money is spent. These grants are issued in support of general government functions such as education and law enforcement.






26. The Democrats control over politics during the 20th century ended with this President's unpopular handling of the Vietnam War.






27. The response of the rest of society to actions by the authorities.






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






29. A legislator who automatically mirrors the will of the majority of his or her constituents.






30. 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






31. A method of amending state constitutions under which proposed constitutional amendments can be placed on the ballot if enough signatures are obtained on a petition. Almost half the states also employ the initiative on the ballot to allow voters to en






32. The belief that all people possess certain basic rights that may not be abridged by government.






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






34. President requires their approval to appoint judges - ambassadors and other high officials.






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 area of foreign affairs - _______________ often have the advantage because






37. This 1973 ruling gave local communities the authority to determine obscenity - established three part test for obscene material. To qualify as obscene - speech must be considered obscene by the 'average' person - depict or describe material that is a






38. Most likely to board a foreign ship suspected of drug trafficking at a U.S. port






39. 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.






40. Powers of the national government that flow from its enumerated powers and the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution.






41. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






42. Federal laws limit the amount of ___________ that can be donated directly to campaign coffers.






43. A controversial law overwhelmingly passed by Congress in October 2001 - after the terrorist attacks of September 11 on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It greatly expanded the power of federal law enforcement authorities to move against suspe






44. Presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Position awarded to the longest serving Senator from the majority party. 3rd in line of succession for the Presidency.






45. The only court specifically outlined in the Constitution.






46. Concept of the British statesman Edmund Burke that legislators should act according to their own consciences.






47. 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.






48. Includes expressive conduct/assembly/actions and symbolic behavior (ex. Picketing or burning the flag) Based on our country history of symbolic acts such as the Boston Tea Party - courts almost always uphold symbolic acts of speech unless they are cr






49. Law enacted by Congress - or by state legislatures or local legislative bodies.






50. The concept that political power rests with the people who can create - alter - and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in government







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