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. Permitted court authorized wire-tapping and bugging by federal - state - and local authorities and use of such evidence in trial. Later reversed by the Supreme Court based on 4th Amendment rights.






2. Devolutionary system in which the national government returns tax dollars to the state and local governments primarily in the form of block grants.






3. Wisconsin Republican who exploited public concern for political gain during the 1950's through freewheeling investigations of alleged Communists.






4. Independent agencies governed by an appointed and confirmed commission. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration - Environmental Protection Agency - and the Securities and Exchange Commission.






5. Formerly known as the Anti-Federalist - this party lead by Thomas Jefferson advocated states rights pressing the causes of the common people and agrarian interest. Dominated the political arena until the Civil War.






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






7. In lieu of an indictment - the state prosecutor may file a _______________ charging the person with a crime.






8. 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:






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






10. This 1964 case established strict standards for proving slander and libel - court must prove intent of malice on the part of the publisher.






11. The President's role in the armed forces which during the 20th century has allowed Presidents to circumvent Congress' refusal to declare war.






12. Independent organizations - but more often the political arms of corporations - labor unions - or interest groups - established to contribute to candidates or to work for general political goals.






13. Minor criminal offenses - such as speeding.






14. Government branch established in Article I of the Constitution.






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






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






17. Plan that proposed unicameral legislature with each state having one vote.






18. ________________ of the Constitution governs the relationships of the states.






19. 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.






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






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






22. 6 In the view of Robert L. Lineberry - policy analysts focus on the _______________.






23. An extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion






24. First step in the Policy Making Cycle.






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






26. The concentration of economic power in the hands of a relatively few large companies.






27. A strand of American foreign policy that was visible by the end of the 19th century; it included 'gunboat diplomacy' and other forms of military involvement by the United States in various parts of the world.






28. Voting based on looking back and making judgments about the way things have gone and the kind of government experienced during a political leader's time in office.






29. In 1943 - The Supreme Court upheld the Jehovah's Witnesses right to refrain from saluting the American flag based on their right to _____________.






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






31. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






32. Formed as a third party on the issue of slavery by many former Whigs in the 1850's. Anti-slavery platform. Supported by farmers - laborers - and newly-freed blacks.






33. Senators have a __________ rate of re-election than Representatives primarily because of their larger constituency and lack of direct involvement with them.






34. 1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.






35. This amendment includes the due process clause - the equal protection clause - and gave rights to former slaves.






36. Federal and State Courts function in a _____________manner so that federal courts may receive appeals from state courts.






37. Amendment that delegated the election of Senators to popular vote.






38. In an election with more than 2 options - the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number - but less that half of the votes.






39. A White House council created under the National Security Act of 1947 to advise the president and help coordinate American military and foreign policy.






40. In presidential campaigns - federal matching funds are provided to candidates who ______________.






41. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the concept of privacy included the right to a legal abortion?






42. A judicial opinion agreed to by a majority of the members of a court. A majority opinion sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.






43. Prohibits citizens of one state or foreign country from suing another state.






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






45. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal






46. Theory that a government requires the consent of the governed.






47. When neither political party is dominant.






48. This called for three-fifths of all slaves in a state were counted for purposes of apportioning representation in the House of Representatives.






49. There is an _____________ relationship between Presidential approval ratings and unemployment.






50. The sum of the goals - decisions - and actions that govern a nation's relations with the rest of the world.