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






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






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






4. 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.






5. Federal laws limit the amount of ___________ that can be donated directly to campaign coffers.






6. A policy that takes something away from one person and gives it to someone else -






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






8. Powers of the national government that flow from its enumerated powers and the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution.






9. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






10. 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.






11. The pursuit and exercise of power.






12. Members of the ______________ committee of a political party work to maintain influence during non election years through congressional campaign committees.






13. The issuance of this document by a judge requires probably cause and must be worded so as to allow for the search and seizure of specific evidence.






14. A group of people - chosen by poll-takers - that is representative of the universe that is being polled.






15. 1917 Reincarnation of the Sedition Act during WWI






16. A term often used to describe the economic and political ties between the military establishment and the defense-aerospace industry.






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






18. Federal aid that states and localities may use mostly as they wish.






19. The Supreme Court is the only judicial body that may hear disputes between _________________.






20. The 15th Amendment - also know as _________________ - was intended to help recently freed blacks from unconstitutional state laws designed to circumvent federal laws.






21. Smith v. Allwight (1994) was the first vase in which the Supreme Court upheld the voting rights of _____________ in state primary elections.






22. Number of Senators elected at large per state -






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






24. State legislation designed to outlaw the union shop - passed by 21 states acting under Section 14B of the federal Taft-Hartley Act.






25. Elections that may lead to a basic shift in the party identification of the electorate.






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






27. Responsible for assigning bills to committee in the Senate.






28. 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






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






30. If significant amendments are made to a bill during committee - the bill is sometimes given a new number as a _______________.






31. Total number of Representatives apportioned to the states based on population and reapportioned with the census every 10 years






32. The agency that provides Congress with evaluations of public policies is the






33. Infamous 1735 English case established the precedent for Freedom of the Press in the US.






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






35. Most states have ___________ legislatures.






36. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments provide for _____________.






37. If 10 days do not remain in session and the president does not sign an act of Congress - the bill __________.






38. Responsible for determining which bills will be considered on the House floor - and when they will be considered.






39. A place of work in which any person may be hired provided that he or she joins the union within a specified time.






40. Guarantees that any rights not explicitly outlined heretofore are reserved for the states.






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






42. Control of a market by a single company.






43. Guaranteed women the right to vote.






44. 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.






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






46. The spread of nuclear weapons to new nations






47. Individual contributions to PACs are limited to ______________ dollars per candidate per election with primaries - general and special elections counting separately.






48. 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.






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






50. President requires their approval to appoint judges - ambassadors and other high officials.