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






2. The Supreme Court's broad interpretation of this clause has denied direct aid from the government for religious groups - but does allow religious groups to make use of government services such as police and fire.






3. A system in which national and state governments are competitors with distinct powers. This system was prominent in the US from the during the 19th century until 1937.






4. Included are Agriculture - Nutrition - and Forestry; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking - Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce - Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Health - Education -






5. The class of independent voters who do not vote according to party affiliation - but who typically have a broader range of concerns than single-issue voters - are known colloquially as






6. Presidential management model requiring the President to have strong leadership skills and a keen eye for detail. FDR and JFK were well known for this style of leadership.






7. This House committee is responsible for all taxes - tariffs - and other revenue raising measures in addition to social security - child support - Medicare - foster care - and unemployment.






8. In _______________ cases such as Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) - the Supreme Court has upheld that while Affirmative action policies are legal - race and gender cannot be the only determining factors.






9. These courts only hear appeals on cases from lower courts.






10. (1945-1991) The period after the Second World War marked by rivalry and tension between the two nuclear superpowers - the United States and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ended when the Soviet government collapsed in 1991.






11. The term most political scientists prefer to describe the bureaucratic process






12. The fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government - such as freedom of speech - religion - press - and assembly.






13. A Latin phrase meaning 'stand by past decisions -' a principle that judges often use in deciding cases. Ruling based on precedents.






14. The concept that all people are of equal worth - even if not of equal ability.






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






16. Which historical figure described democracy as 'the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time?'






17. While both Asian and Hispanic immigrants experience various types of discrimination - Hispanic immigrants are more likely to experience economic discrimination. This explains why most Hispanics identify with the ____________ party - while Asians do n






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






19. The 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine that prompted King George III's Prohibitory Act and the sending of mercenaries to the colonies.






20. Also known as the Indiana ballot - lists the candidates of each party in a row or column - beside or under the party emblem. In most cases - the voter can make one mark at the top of the column - or pull one lever - and thus vote for all the party's






21. President Hoover's laissez-faire approach to the economy during the Great Depression left many poor voters disenfranchised by the Republican Party. They left to join the _______________ Party.






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






23. The overall public has a ___________ view of PACS in terms of bought votes and adding to the cost of running for office






24. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was somewhat undermined by racist practices in the real estate market such as _____________ and ______________ - which continued illegally in many areas following passage of the Act.






25. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: conflicts between state and national government - economic and racial discrimination - uneven enforcement of law - and dominance of local governments by special interest groups






26. Programs mandated by law and not subject to annual review by Congress or the president.






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






28. Constitutional Article that establishes the Judicial Branch.






29. Concurrent resolution - adopted by both Houses of Congress - that sets forth a Congressional budget plan for the budget year and at least four out-years.






30. The House appropriations committee has ___ subcommittees.






31. A relaxation of international tensions.






32. 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






33. Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated.






34. What principle - contained in the Fourth Amendment - protects a citizen from unwarranted search and seizure?






35. The spread of nuclear weapons to more nations.






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






37. Urban or rural areas in which businesses are encouraged to locate because of tax breaks and other incentives.






38. Several Presidents have been elected without winning the popular vote. As a result - In 1970 and 1979 - Amendments were proposed to disband the ______________ - neither passed.






39. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be ___________.






40. 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.'






41. In Johnson v. Texas (1989) - the Supreme Court ruled that burning the flag in a manner that does not pose a threat to people or property is allowed as this type of freedom of speech.






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






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






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






45. This act prohibited Discrimination because of race - color - sex - religion - or national origin by employers or labor unions; The adoption by voting registrars of different standards for black and white applicants; and Racial or religious discrimina






46. A close contest; by extension - any contest in which the focus is on who is ahead and how much rather than on substantive differences between the candidates.






47. 'lame duck' amendment






48. Form of government in which the people are sovereign but their power is exercised by their elected representatives.






49. A series of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton - John Jay - and James Madison under the pseudonym Publius advocating the ratification of the United States Constitution.






50. An economic system of free enterprise with private ownership of the means of production.