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






2. Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.






3. 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






4. Formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official - the first step in removal from office.






5. Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate.






6. The number of Americans who are out of work but actively looking for a job. The number does not usually include those who are not looking.






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






8. Established rules and regulations that restrain government officials.






9. Providing automatic increases to compensate for inflation.






10. Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution.






11. Stresses federalism as a system of intergovernmental relations in delivering governmental goods and services to the people and calls for cooperation among various levels of government.






12. Economic theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms.






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






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






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






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






17. Arrangement whereby public officials are hired to provide legal assistance to people accused of crimes who are unable to hire their own attorneys.






18. Divisions within society that reinforce one another - making groups more homogenous or similar.






19. Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.






20. A type of policy that takes benefits (usually through taxes) from one group of Americans and gives them to another (usually through spending).






21. 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






22. A secret ballot printed by the state.






23. A term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups.






24. The rights of an individual to own - use - rent - invest in - buy - and sell property.






25. Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments - such as the power to levy taxes.






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






27. Consumer tax on a specific kind of merchandise - such as tobacco.






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






29. 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.






30. Loss of tax revenue due to Federal laws that provide special tax incentives or benefits to individuals or businesses.






31. Government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials directly.






32. 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.






33. An imbalance in international trade in which the value of imports exceeds the value of exports.






34. 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.






35. 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.






36. Usually the largest organization in government with the largest mission; also the highest rank in Federal hierarchy.






37. A formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court.






38. The boost that candidates may get in an election because of the popularity of candidates above them on the ballot - especially the president.






39. 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.






40. Governance divided between the parties - especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.






41. 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






42. A government that enforces recognized limits on those who govern and allows the voice of the people to be heard through free - fair - and relatively frequent elections.






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






44. The process of putting a law into practice through bureaucratic rules or spending.






45. 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






46. How voters feel about a candidate's background - personality - leadership ability - and other personal qualities.






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






48. Efforts by government to alter the free operation of the market to achieve social goals such as protecting workers and the environment.






49. Clause in the Constitution (Article 4 - Section 1) requiring each state to recognize the civil judgments rendered by the courts of the other states and to accept their public records and acts as valid.






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






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