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. 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






2. A power of the president to kill a bill by taking no action (if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period after the president receives the bill). Some court rulings have suggested that a president may exercise a pocket veto only when Congress adjour






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






4. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.






5. A system of voter registration in which voters must register every year or at other stated intervals.






6. The 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act - the 1965 Highway Beautification Act and the 1964 Civil Rights Act are all examples of ____________________.






7. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






8. Legislative house whose members were intended to represent the people.






9. The vote cast by a person who does not like either candidate and so votes for the less objectionable of the two - putting a clothespin over his nose to keep out the unpleasant stench






10. 1940 Act Prohibiting any person from advocating overthrowing the government through violence or force.






11. State legislation designed to outlaw the union shop - passed by 21 states acting under Section 14B of the federal Taft-Hartley Act.






12. This group of voters historically supported Republicans - a party founded on an anti-slavery platform. During the 1930's they began supporting the New Deal policies of the Democratic party.






13. Established the Federal Reserve Bank - responsible for conducting the nation's monetary policy - maintaining the stability of the financial system - supervising and regulating banking institutions - and protecting the credit rights of consumers - and






14. An immigrant who wished to become a citizen may be naturalized after living in the US for ___ years.






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






16. Number of Federal District courts across 50 states - DC and Puerto Rico.






17. A group of independent states or nations that come together for a common purpose and whose central authority is usually limited to defense and foreign relations.






18. Political commercials that strongly attack a rival candidate.






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






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






21. A device that allows the House of Representatives to conduct its business with fewer restrictions on debate and a quorum of only 100 members.






22. 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






23. 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.






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






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






26. The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution - setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words - 'We the people of the United States - in order to form a more perfect union. ...'






27. In 1872 - Susan B Anthony was arrested in Rochester - New York for






28. Signed the executive order banning segregation in the armed forces.






29. The practice that allows senators to delay or even kill floor action on legislation - a nomination - or other matters by asking their party leaders not to schedule them.






30. Congress' first step towards allocating funds






31. Guarantees that any rights not explicitly outlined heretofore are reserved for the states.






32. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






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






34. A political group organized under section 527 of the IRS code that may accept and spend unlimited amounts of money on election activities so long as they are not spent on broadcast ads run in the last 30 days before a primary or 60 days before a gene






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






36. Requests from people or groups for health care for the aged - loans for college students - equal opportunity for minorities - and higher subsidies for farmers are examples of:






37. 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.






38. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and cooperate.






39. Walter DeVries and Lance Tarrance have concluded that in many elections the outcome is determined by ______________.






40. Individual contributions to PACs are limited to ______________ dollars per candidate per election with primaries - general and special elections counting separately.






41. A plan to provide billions of dollars of American aid to Western Europe to speed its economic and social recovery after the Second World War.






42. Powers of government exercised independently by both the federal and state governments - such as the power to tax.






43. The state officer typically responsible for overseeing federal elections at the state level is the






44. In Argersinger v. Hamlin (1972) - the Supreme Court extended the right to counsel to those accused of misdemeanors if the defendant is _____________.






45. A powerful alliance of mutual benefit among an agency or unit of the government - an interest group - and a committee or subcommittee of Congress. Also called a triangle or iron triangle.






46. The belief that one is effective when participating in politics - for example that the government will respond to one's demands






47. PACs may donate a ______________ amount of indirect or in-kind donations to a campaign. (Ex. placing ads to support their candidate)






48. The Supreme Court has sometimes used a narrow interpretation of the Establishment Clause allowing the government to provide aid to religious groups as long as it remains ______________ and does not promote one religion at the expense of another. This






49. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






50. In his historic decision in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Chief Justice Marshall established the principle of _____________.