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. Under this governing document - national government lacked authority to set up tariffs - regulate commerce - levy taxes - control international relations - establish common currency






2. Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.






3. A method available in most states that allows voters - in effect - to 'veto' a bill passed by the legislature or to accept or reject a proposal - such as a bond issue - made by a government agency.






4. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






5. Constitutional Article that establishes the Judicial Branch.






6. 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.






7. This 1967 Supreme Court case prohibited illegal eavesdropping and extending the zone of privacy to include the home - office - person - and immediate public arena.






8. The framers of the Constitution created the Senate to function as a check on the ________________.






9. Broadly worded warrants used by British soldiers during colonial America to search for contraband and prevent smuggling.






10. A group of writers - journalists - and critics who exposed corporate malfeasance and political corruption in the first decade of the 20th century.






11. 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






12. Groups named for the section of the Internal Revenue Service code under which they must report their expenditures. The tax-exempt groups were created to exploit a loophole in the law regulating campaign finance.






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






14. The claim by presidents of an inherent right to withhold information from Congress and the judiciary.






15. The pursuit and exercise of power






16. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the 1964 Civil Rights Act does not prohibit private affirmative action programs?






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






18. An election in which voters in a jurisdiction select candidates for a subsequent election. In other words - one means by which a political party nominate candidates for the following general election.s






19. An opinion of one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment.






20. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






21. Members of this party typically include Conservative Christian groups - higher socio-economic classes - middle-class white collar - and suburban voters.






22. The House appropriations committee has ___ subcommittees.






23. A system in which the power to govern is shared between national and state governments






24. A course of action chosen by government officials






25. Things government decides to do - example: taxation - crime control - national defense - education - etc.






26. 1798 Act that criminalized speech that was derisive to the government. Later ruled unconstitutional - Andrew Jackson issued blanket pardon in 1801






27. Loose - competitive relationships among policy experts - interest groups - congressional committees - and federal agencies. Many observers argue that these have replaced iron triangles.






28. A political candidate who is thought to have only an outside chance of gaining the nomination.






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






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






31. A small group of voters chosen by a political campaign for their demographic similarities who are brought together to gauge how the group they represent feels about the candidate.






32. A group of high-level administrators and managers at the top of the government bureaucracy. SES members have less job tenure but are eligible for substantial cash bonuses for merit.






33. The name commonly given to a private group - regardless of size - organized to elect political candidates. An organization becomes one by receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1 -000 for the purpose of influencing a federal ele






34. Lead by Theodore Roosevelt - this party platform focused on women's suffrage - social reform - fair business practices - and direct election of senators. The won 25% of the popular vote in 1911 - splitting the Republican vote and allowing Democrat Wo






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






36. 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. ...'






37. When the population's overall feeling of political efficacy is low - voter turnout is _______.






38. Information sent out in order to observe the reaction of an audience. Used by politicians who deliberately leak information on a policy change under consideration.






39. The Supremacy Clause appears in ________________ of the Constitution.






40. Colonies controlled by the British king through governors appointed by him and through the king's veto power over colonial laws.






41. This article of the Constitution establishes the Executive Branch.






42. In the view of W. Lance Bennett - the people who hold and express opinions are constantly changing - as are the issues and conditions to which the public responds. As a result - Bennett suggests that public opinion is______________.






43. The number of ______________ a state receives is based on the number Representatives and Senators that the state has in Congress






44. A loose grouping of people and organizations who seek to influence policy formation.






45. Practice by which voters of one party crossing over and voting in the primary of another party - effectively allowing a party to help choose its opposition's candidate.






46. The possible tendency of some voters or convention delegates to support the candidate who is leading in the polls and seems likely to win.






47. Laws must be administered in a fair manner.






48. This clause of the 1st amendment establishes a 'wall of separation' between church and state.






49. Process by which citizens propose an amendment by petition.






50. Voters in a political district - or supporters of an elected official; or interest groups or client groups that are either directly regulated by the bureaucracy or vitally affected by its decisions.