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 president - the vice president - the heads of the major executive departments of the government - and certain other senior officials who may hold 'cabinet rank.'






2. 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






3. Also known as the Massachusetts ballot - groups candidates according to the office for which they are running






4. 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.






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






6. Grants that an accused may not be held in custody without charge - literally 'You shall have the body'.






7. Agencies that were at one time semi-autonomous but that through legislation have been placed under presidential control since 1945.






8. Judicial Check on Legislative Branch. Not specifically outlined in the Constitution - but established in the case of Marbury v. Madison through the application of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI.






9. These party members tend to be ideologues who put issues ahead of winning elections and withhold support from candidates who do not share their stance on issues. Very active in special interest groups and caucuses within the party. Willing to break a






10. Law intended to promote free competition in the market place by outlawing monopolies






11. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over budget and appointments of leadership.






12. A course of action chosen by government officials






13. Germany - Switzerland - and India are examples of countries with a _______________ system of government.






14. 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






15. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






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






17. Laws must be reasonable. The Supreme Court has abandoned this concept in regards to business matters citing that it is the responsibility of Congress to regulate economic matters. The court has continued to apply this to matters of civil liberties an






18. Requires that a suspect in a federal case be arraigned without unnecessary delay.






19. The Supreme Court holds _____________ jurisdiction in cases against the US - ambassadors - public ministers - and consuls.






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






21. Law enacted in 1939 to prohibit civil servants from taking activists roles in partisan campaigns .This act prohibited federal employees from making political contributions - working for a particualr party -or campaining for a particualr canidate






22. The 1896 case of Plessy v. Fergusan established the racial segregation policy of __________________.






23. A ruling by the Supreme Court in 1857






24. A relaxation of international tensions.






25. The Supreme Court practice of applying most of the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment.






26. Authority based on an individual's outstanding traits - which attract followers






27. Approximately 33% of American voters identify themselves as _______________ party.






28. Number of Senators elected at large per state -






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






30. A broadly based coalition that attempts to gain control of the government by winning elections in order to exercise power and reward its members.






31. By far - the largest amount of federal aid to state and local governments comes in the form of:






32. Economists generally agree that the major responsibility for promoting prosperity and full employment falls on ________________.






33. Established in 1947 as a combined Department of War and Navy.






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






35. 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.






36. Established national income tax.






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






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






39. High School Dropouts - Blacks - Hispanics - Recent immigrants - and People under 25 or over 75 tend to have a _________ voter turnout.






40. A form of city government under which a board of city commissioners is popularly elected (often on a nonpartisan ballot). The commissioners make policy as a city council - but they also run city departments as administrators.






41. While these voters have traditionally supported the Democrats - some have begun to support Republicans in light of the Democrats liberal policies on abortion.






42. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.






43. Elections in which the majority party (according to party identification) is defeated in a temporary reversal.






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






45. The Articles of Confederation established a ________________ legislature.






46. Proponents of limited government - unregulated free markets - national self-reliance - and conventional social values are best describes as






47. 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






48. This customary power allows the President to grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses.






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






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