Test your basic knowledge |

AP Government

Subjects : civics, ap
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. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Direct orders must be complied with under threat of criminal or civil sanction. An example is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 - barring job discrimination by state and local gover






2. Views the Constitution as giving a limited list of powers—primarily foreign policy and national defense—to the national government - leaving the rest to the sovereign states. Each level of government is dominant within its own sphere. The Supreme Cou






3. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.






4. Donations made to political candidates - party committees - or groups which - by law - are limited and must be declared.






5. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Federal grants may establish certain conditions that extend to all activities supported by federal funds - regardless of their source. The first and most famous of these is Title VI of the 196






6. A judicial system in which the court of law is a neutral arena where two parties argue their differences.






7. The rights of all people to dignity and worth; also called human rights.






8. A division of population based on occupation - income - and education.






9. A congressional committee created for a specific purpose - sometimes to conduct an investigation.






10. A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries - caucuses - or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president - ratify the party platform - elect officers - and adopt rules.






11. The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or - in a state court - the state constitution.






12. Elections held midway between presidential elections.






13. A grouping of human beings with distinctive characteristics determined by genetic inheritance.






14. The convention in Philadelphia - May 25 to September 17 - 1787 - that debated and agreed upon the Constitution of the United States.






15. Alternative means of health care in which individuals make tax-deductible contributions to a special account that can be used to pay medical expenses.






16. A tax on increased value of the product at each stage of production and distribution rather than just at the point of sale.






17. The idea that a just government must derive its powers from the consent of the people it governs.






18. A formal decision to reject the bill passed by Congress.






19. The act of declaring party affiliation; required by some states when one registers to vote.






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






21. A formal - public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two thirds of the Senate.






22. People who favor state or local action rather than national action.






23. The powers expressly given to Congress in the Constitution.






24. A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.






25. Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that the government cannot interfere with speech unless the speech presents a clear and present danger that it will lead to evil or illegal acts.






26. Interest groups organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code may advertise for or against candidates. If their source of funding is corporations or unions - they have some restrictions on broadcast advertising. 527 organizations were impo






27. Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.






28. Denial of export - import - or financial relations with the target country in an effort to change that nation's policies.






29. Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.






30. Tax levied on imports to help protect the nation's industries - labor - or farmers from foreign competition. It can also be used to raise additional revenue.






31. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. These sanctions permit the use of federal money in one program to influence state and local policy in another. For example - a 1984 act reduced federal highway aid by up to 15 percent for any






32. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership is a condition of employment.






33. Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values.






34. The tendency in elections to focus on the personal attributes of a candidate - such as his/her strengths - weaknesses - background - experience - and visibility.






35. Programs such as unemployment insurance - disability relief - or disability payments that provide benefits to all eligible citizens.






36. A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.






37. Clause of the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 8 - Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress - in addition to its express powers has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Co






38. Review of all executive branch testimony - reports - and draft legislation by the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that each communication to Congress is in accordance with the president's program.






39. An official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgment of the circumstances; one interpretation of the role of the legislator.






40. The set of arrangements - including checks and balances - federalism - separation of powers - rule of law - due process - and a bill of rights - that requires our leaders to listen - think - bargain - and explain before they act or make laws. We then






41. Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.






42. A large body of people interested in a common issue - idea - or concern that is of continuing significance and who are willing to take action. Movements seek to change attitudes or institutions - not just policies.






43. Federal laws (starting with the Sherman Act of 1890) that tried to prevent a monopoly from dominating an industry and restraining trade.






44. A provision attached to a bill






45. Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government - generally.






46. General tax on sales transactions - sometimes exempting food and drugs.






47. A policy-making alliance that involves a very strong ties among a congressional committee - an interest group - and a Federal Department or agency.






48. Programs in which eligibility is based on prior contributions to government - usually in the form of payroll taxes.






49. The presiding officer in the House of Representatives - formally elected by the House but actually selected by the majority party.






50. Essays promoting ratification of the Constitution - published anonymously by Alexander Hamilton - John Jay - and James Madison in 1787 and 1788.