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. In 1978 - the Supreme Court - in the 'seven dirty words' case - ruled that the government has the right to prohibit the broadcasting of _______________.






2. A provision of law in which Congress asserts the power to nullify actions of the executive branch. In 1983 the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional - but Congress continued to pass laws containing such provisions.






3. Established by President Hoover - It is the _______________ job to keep the press informed and orchestrate press conferences






4. These party members take active non-leadership roles such as working polls or contributing money to campaigns. Tend to compromise on important issues and are mostly concerned about winning elections.






5. Urban or rural areas in which businesses are encouraged to locate because of tax breaks and other incentives.






6. Which historical figure described democracy as 'the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time?'






7. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






8. This rule established by US v. Leon (1984) angered civil liberties groups by allowing exception to the Exclusionary Rule in instances where probably cause may not fully exist.






9. In the last 30 years - voter turnout among American 18- to 24-year-olds has been






10. 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.






11. Defamation by written or printed words - pictures - or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.






12. A broad concept that may be defined in many ways - but the term is generally used to refer to the basic protection and defense of the nation.






13. As part of the negotiations concerning the Constitution - the South fought for and won an agreement forbidding the imposition of _______________.






14. This amendment applied the Bill of Rights to states.






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






16. Spending by the national committees of the political parties to support the election of congressional candidates is known as






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






18. An issue on which voters distinguish rival parties by the degree to which they associate each party or candidate with conditions - goals - or symbols the electorate universally approves or disapproves of. Examples of such issues are economic prosperi






19. Bills passed by Congress to pay for the spending it has authorized.






20. In this essay - James Madison recognized that reconciling the competing interests of various groups was what legislation was all about






21. In _______________ cases such as Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) - the Supreme Court has upheld that while Affirmative action policies are legal - race and gender cannot be the only determining factors.






22. (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.






23. Which powers of the national government flow from its enumerated powers and from the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution?






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






25. Laws - rules - and government programs designed to protect individual rights and specific groups - as well as to benefit society as a whole in such areas as health - worker safety - consumer protection - and the environment.






26. Cabinet department that includes the FAA and the National Hwy Traffic Safety Administration. Established in 1966.






27. 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_______________.






28. Love of country and a desire for independence; it can also mean an excessive form of patriotism exploited by political leaders.






29. Executive Check on the Legislative Branch.






30. Early civil rights leader established the Niagara Movement and helped to establish the NAACP.






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






32. A joint committee of Congress established to help negotiate discrepancies and gain consensus between legislation passed in each house before sending the bill to the President.






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






34. The issue of slavery split the Democratic Party into what two factions?






35. Article VI - Paragraph 2 - of the Constitution - which declares that the Constitution - and the laws and treaties of the United States made under it - are 'the supreme Law of the Land' and prevail over any conflicting state constitutions or laws.






36. Decides which bills will be considered.






37. Most Americans support ______________ primarily as part of their criticism of PACs






38. Disapproval of a bill by a chief executive - such as the president or a governor.






39. Number of years a Representative must reside in the US prior to taking office






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






41. Test whereby the Supreme Court established criteria by which state may provide aid to religious groups.






42. Political theorist proposed the separation of church and state.






43. Guarantees that citizens cannot be compelled by the government to act in a way that is contrary to their religious beliefs. (ex. Conscientious objection to military service required by the draft is the execution of ______________)






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






45. A provision of the Federal Communications Act that requires broadcasters to provide the same amount of exposure to all legally qualified political candidates.






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






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






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






49. 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.






50. The 1st Amendment states that government cannot issue ______________ - censoring publications before they are published.