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. The process by which provisions of the bill of rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments.






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






3. Programs such as Medicaid and welfare under which applicants must meet eligibility requirements based on need.






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






5. The means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy.






6. Clause in the Constitution that states that 'Congress should have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. . . .' This clause is also known as the elastic clause as is a major and significant p

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






8. Constitutional requirement that governments act reasonably and that the substance of the laws themselves be fair and reasonable; limits what the government may do.






9. 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.






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






11. Through different grant programs - slices up the marble cake into many different pieces - making it even more difficult to differentiate the functions of the levels of government.






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






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






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






15. Alternative means of health care in which people or their employers are charged a set amount and the HMO provides health care and covers hospital costs.






16. During the Great Society - the marble cake approach of intergovernmental relations.






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






18. A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage.






19. A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals (each limited to $2000) and present them to a candidate or political party as a 'bundle -' thus increasing the PAC's influence.






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






21. A career government employee.






22. 30-second statements on the evening news shows. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on sound bites to explain them to the public.






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






24. The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.






25. A jury of 6 to 12 persons that determines guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action.






26. A law that defines crimes against the public order.






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






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






29. An explanation of the decision of the Supreme Court or any other appellate court.






30. A policy that emphasizes a united front and cooperation between the major political parties - especially on sensitive foreign policy issues.






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






32. Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments - the vice president - and a few other officials selected by the president.






33. The drawing of election districts so as to ensure that members of a certain race are a minority in the district; ruled unconstitutional in Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960).






34. Implies that although federalism provides 'a sharing of power and authority between the national and state governments - the state's share rests upon the permission and permissiveness of the national government.'






35. The process by which individuals screen out messages that do not conform to their own biases.






36. System designed to reduce voter fraud by limiting voting to those who have established eligibility to vote by submitting the proper documents.






37. A legal action conferring citizenship on an alien.






38. Deliberate refusal to obey law or comply with orders of public officials as a means of expressing opposition.






39. Election in which voters choose party nominees.






40. A theory of international relations that focuses on the tendency of nations to operate from self-interest.






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






42. 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.






43. Segregation imposed by law.






44. Financial contributions by individuals or groups in the hope of influencing the outcome of the election and subsequently influencing policy.






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






46. Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates.






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






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






49. Citizenship in more than one nation.






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