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 addition to overseeing the activities of one or more federal agencies - a ___________________may also serve as the authorizing committee for federal agencies' programs and operations.






2. _____ out of 9 justices must agree to hear an appellate case brought to them from a lower court.






3. A method of amending state constitutions under which proposed constitutional amendments can be placed on the ballot if enough signatures are obtained on a petition. Almost half the states also employ the initiative on the ballot to allow voters to en






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






5. The absent colony at the 2nd Continental Congress.






6. The response of the rest of society to actions by the authorities.






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






8. After the bill reaches the house floor - if opponents have many changes - they may vote to ______________________.






9. These voters tend to have a high voter turnout because of their strong since of civic duty due to growing up during an era of political and civil unrest.






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. When the President's own party gains power and influence - it more puts pressure on the President to conform to the will of the party - leading to________________ between the President and the party to define their public identities






12. An act of legislature declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing them without benefit of a trial. Constitutionally prohibited.






13. Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people






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






15. Lobbyists for special interest groups have found ____________________ to be the most direct and effective method to secure their objectives in Congress.






16. The Equal Rights Amendment was defeated in 1982 because ____________________________.






17. A system in which the national government provides grants-in-aid to states using conditions to elicit control.






18. The tendency of presidents to lose support over time.






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






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






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






22. Legislature bills that affect only a small group of citizens.






23. The party-column ballot - or Indiana ballot - encourages _______________.






24. 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






25. A provision in a deed to real property prohibiting its sale to a person of a particular race or religion. Judicial enforcement is unconstitutional.






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






27. The right of the Supreme Court - under the Constitution - to hear certain kinds of cases directly - such as cases involving foreign diplomats - or cases in which one of the 50 states is a party.






28. In the 1990 case OR State Employment Division v. Smith 1990 - the Supreme court allowed the state to fire employees who use peyote during native American religious ceremonies because it is in violation of drug laws. In this case - which clause of the






29. The power to tax is an example of _______________ powers.






30. A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals and present them to a candidate or political party as a 'bundle -' thus increasing the PAC's influence.






31. 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 ______________)






32. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






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






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






35. This body of government has final authority on the meaning of the Constitution.






36. What occurs when government adopts a public policy that provides - or distributes - benefits to people or groups.






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






38. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






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






40. Impact elections by siphoning off votes from major parties spoiling a party's chance in a close race.






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






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






43. 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






44. Prompted by FDR's 4th election to the Presidency - the 22nd Amendment limited the number of Presidential terms to _____ terms.






45. Which of the following factors is likely to be the weakest indicator of an individual's political beliefs and opinions? Age - Race - Intelligence - or Religion






46. International agreements between the president and foreign heads of state that - unlike treaties - do not require Senate approval.






47. In Schenck v. US (1919) - The Supreme Court ruled that government may prohibit speech that creates an immediate threat of criminal action. Essentially established different standards for speech during wartime than in peacetime. Thus - establishing th






48. The individuals - institutions - and processes that make the rules for society and possess the power to enforce them.






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






50. While the voting rights act of 1965 did direct the Attorney General to investigate the constitutionality of poll taxes and prohibit literacy tests - it did not expressly prohibit _____________.