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 formal decision to reject the bill passed by Congress.






2. Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.






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






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






5. The desire to avoid international entanglement altogether.






6. Method whereby representatives of the union and employer determine wages - hours - and other conditions of employment through direct negotiation.






7. The clause of the Constitution (Article I - Section 8 - Clause 3) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.






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






9. Relationships among interest groups - congressional committees and subcommittees - and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.






10. In this type of sample - every individual has unknown and random chance of being selected.






11. Segregation resulting from economic or social conditions or personal choice.






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






13. Libel - obscenity - fighting words - and commercial speech - which are not entitled to constitutional protection in all circumstances.






14. A secret ballot printed by the state.






15. 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






16. Segregation imposed by law.






17. Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.






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






19. 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.






20. The total output of all economic activity in the nation - including goods and services.






21. 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.






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






23. 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.






24. Media that emphasize the news.






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






26. Literally - a 'friend of the court' brief - filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.






27. An agency of Congress that analyzes presidential budget recommendations and estimates the cost of proposed legislation.






28. 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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29. Court order directing an official to perform an official duty.






30. God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law.






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






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






33. Those citizens who follow public affairs closely.






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






35. Conceives of federalism as a marble cake in which all levels of government are involved in a variety of issues and programs - rather than a layer cake - or dual federalism - with fixed divisions between layers or levels of government.






36. A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. Interest groups usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying.






37. A rise in the general price level (and decrease in dollar value) owing to an increase in the volume of money and credit in relation to available goods.






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






39. Those citizens who follow public affairs carefully.






40. Censorship imposed before a speech is made or a newspaper is published; usually presumed to be unconstitutional.






41. In a criminal action - the person or party accused of an offense.






42. Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.






43. Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.






44. Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the Federal bureaucracy.






45. The Supreme Court has ruled that individuals - groups - and parties can spend unlimited amounts in campaigns for or against candidates as long as they operate independently from the candidates. When an individual - group - or party does so - they are






46. An agreement among two or more states. Congress must approve most such agreements.






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






48. The authority of a court to hear a case 'in the first instance.'






49. A nonprofit association or group operating outside of government that advocates and pursues policy objectives.






50. Police targeting of racial minorities as potential suspects of criminal activities.