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. Democratic and civic habits of discussion - compromise - and respect for differences - which grow out of participation in voluntary organizations.






2. The right of a federal law or a regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation.






3. 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






4. A government entity that is independent of the legislative - executive - and judicial branches.






5. 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






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






7. A writ issued by a magistrate that authorizes the police to search a particular place or person - specifying the place to be searched and the objects to be seized.






8. Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that freedom of expression is so essential to democracy that governments should not punish persons for what they say - only for what they do.






9. A widely shared and consciously held view - like support for homeland security.






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






11. 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.






12. The reliance on economic and military strength to solve international problems.






13. The political arm of an interest group that is legally entitled to raise funds on a voluntary basis from members - stockholders - or employees to contribute funds to candidates or political parties.






14. 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






15. A type of policy that provides benefits to all Americans.






16. Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787 - protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

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17. The total amount of money the Federal government has borrowed to finance deficit spending over the years.






18. A local or judicial election in which candidates are not selected or endorsed by political parties and party affiliation is not listed on ballots.






19. Voting by member of one party for a candidate of another party.






20. The residents of a congressional district or state.






21. Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






22. Segregation imposed by law.






23. A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.






24. The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.






25. Federal statute barring Federal employees from active participation in certain kinds of politics and protecting them from being fired on partisan grounds.






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






27. Domination of an industry by a single company; also the company that dominates the industry.






28. An international trade organization with more than 130 members - including the United States and the People's Republic of China - that seeks to encourage free trade by lowering tariffs and other trade restrictions.






29. Assigning police to neighborhoods where they walk the beat and work with churches and other community groups to reduce crime and improve relations with minorities.






30. Legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one states to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.






31. The process - most notably in families and schools - by which we develop our political attitudes - values - and beliefs.






32. Powers expressly or implicitly reserved to the states.

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33. A formal written statement from a grand jury charging an individual with an offense; also called a true bill.






34. A legislative practice that assigns the chair of the committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on the committee.






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






36. The principle of a two-house legislature.






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






38. Powers that grow out of the very existence of government.






39. An election during periods of expanded suffrage and change in the economy and society that proves to be a turning point - redefining the agenda of politics and the alignment of voters within parties.






40. A social division based on national origin - religion - language - and often race.






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






42. A rising public approval of the president that follows a crisis as Americans 'rally 'round the flag' and the chief executive.






43. Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes - stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and the curve during booms.






44. Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.






45. The formal instructions that government issues for implementing laws.






46. A congressional district created to include a majority of minority voters; ruled constitutional so long as race is not the main factor in redistricting.






47. The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election.






48. The process by which individuals perceive what they want to in media messages.






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






50. Political contributions given to a party - candidate - or interest group that are limited in amounts and fully disclosed. Raising such limited funds is harder than raising unlimited funds - hence the term 'hard money.'