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. Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.






2. A dispute growing out of an actual case or controversy and that is capable of settlement by legal methods.






3. 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.






4. Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.






5. The widespread belief that the United States is a land of opportunity and that individual initiative and hard work can bring economic success.






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






7. Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.






8. Words that by their very nature inflict injury on those to whom they are addressed or insight them to acts of violence.






9. A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress after it adjourns






10. Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law.






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






12. Clause in the First Amendment that states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.






13. A theory of international relations that focuses on the hope the nations will act together to solve international problems and promote peace.






14. Means of communication that are reaching the public - including newspapers and magazines - radio - television (broadcast - cable - and satellite) - films - recordings - books - and electronic communication.






15. 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.






16. A theory that government should control the money supply to encourage economic growth and restrain inflation.






17. The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states.






18. Exemption from prosecution for a particular crime in return for testimony pertaining to the case.






19. The right to vote.






20. A form of organization that operates through impersonal - uniform rules and procedures.






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






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






23. A career government employee.






24. Literacy requirements some states imposed as a condition of voting - generally used to disqualify black voters in the South; now illegal.






25. The power to keep executive communications confidential - especially if they relate to national security.






26. Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state or local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.






27. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted.






28. The proportion of the voting age public that votes - sometimes defined as the number of registered voters that vote.






29. Photo opportunities set up by the candidates. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on photo ops to explain them to the public.






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






31. Theory that opposes governmental interference in economic affairs beyond what is necessary to protect life and property.






32. Inherent powers of state governments to pass laws to protect the public health - safety - and welfare; the national government has no directly granted police powers but accomplishes the same goals through other delegated powers.






33. A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. It consists of six commissioners appointed by president and confirmed by the Senate. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of camp






34. Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government - the actions of the federal government will prevail.






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






36. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Total preemption rests on the national governments power under the supremacy and commerce clauses to preempt conflicting state and local activity. Building on this constitutional authority - f






37. A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody.






38. Clause in the Fifth Amendment limiting the power of the national government; similar clause in the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits the state governments from depriving any person of life - liberty - or property without due process of law.






39. The widely shared beliefs - values - and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another.






40. The belief that nations must engage in international problem solving.






41. Constitutional arrangement that concentrates power in a central government.






42. 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






43. A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of the bill or nomination.






44. Citizenship in more than one nation.






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






46. The first governing document of the confederated states drafted in 1777 - ratified in 1781 - and replaced by the present Constitution in 1789.






47. Incumbents have an advantage over challengers in election campaigns because voters are more familiar with them - and incumbents are more recognizable.






48. The practice of exporting U.S. jobs to lower paid employees in other nations.






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






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