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 charge of all state funds. Supervises the collection of taxes and payment of state's bill






2. A law passed in 1966 that requires federal executive branch and regulatory agencies to make information available to journalists - scholars - and the public unless it falls into one of several confidential categories.






3. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendment to bills or provides that only memebers of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments






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






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






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






7. This event was an important factor in creating the climate for a new Constitution.

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8. The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents - such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.






9. ________ of voters identify with one political party in advance of the campaign.






10. The constitutional requirement (in article II - sec 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws






11. The framers of the Constitution created the Senate to function as a check on the ________________.






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






13. In the Federalist Papers - James Madison proposed that the states under the new Constitution would retain ____________ sovereignty.






14. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.






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






16. A system - until modified and reformed in the 1970s - that automatically resulted in the selection as committee chair of those members of the majority party in Congress who had the longest continuous service on a committee.






17. Requires reporting of financial information by companies with publicly traded securities






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






19. Tests of a voter's ability to read and write - which were often used to keep recent immigrants and blacks from voting.






20. 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.






21. A test established by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes - Jr. - in 1919 to define the point at which speech loses the protection of the First Amendment.






22. A coherent set of beliefs about politics - public policy - and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political event - personalities - and policies.






23. ________________ of the Constitution dictates how the Constitution shall be amended.






24. Because there is no Senate Rules Committee - Senators can debate a bill for an _________________ time.






25. Theory of democracy in which competition among common interest groups promote ideas to influence politics






26. 1976 Law requiring all governmental agency meetings to be open to the public unless classified information will be discussed.






27. Number of original cabinet positions under George Washington.






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






29. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






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






31. Largest interest group in the US.






32. This 1972 Supreme Court case struck down all state laws allowing the death penalty stating that they allowed for too much discretion on the part of the judge and jury resulting in lack of consistent administration of the penalty.






33. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






34. Baby boomers - women - and voters with higher levels of education tend to have a ____________ voter turnout.






35. 1946 Act requiring bureaucratic agencies to appeal to the affected parties before adopting new policies. Legislative check on Bureaucracy.






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






37. Most modern political scientists believe there is ________________ between politics and government.






38. Requests from people or groups for health care for the aged - loans for college students - equal opportunity for minorities - and higher subsidies for farmers are examples of:






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






40. The kinds of cases that a court has the authority to decide.






41. After a bill has passed both the House and Senate - it goes to _________________ where any differences between the house bill and the senate bill are resolved before sending to the President for signature






42. Finding that enough evidence exists to warrant a criminal trial.






43. Protects against unreasonable search and seizure.






44. The yearly value of goods and services produced within a country.






45. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






46. A legislature with only one house.






47. Considered the most sacred right in American history. Colonists felt oppressed by the tyranny of the crown but were unable to speak up about it for fear of repercussion.






48. This type of government suits a large country with a diverse population






49. Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees - task forces - and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.






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