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 distribution of individual preferences or evaluations of a given issue - candidate - or institution within a specific population.






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






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






4. National Health Insurance program for the elderly and disabled.






5. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.






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






7. Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president.






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






9. The rule of precedent - whereby a rule or law contained in a judicial decision is commonly viewed as binding on judges whenever the same question is presented.






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






11. A large body of people interested in a common issue - idea - or concern that is of continuing significance and who are willing to take action. Movements seek to change attitudes or institutions - not just policies.






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. A court order forbidding specific individuals or groups from performing certain acts (such as striking) that the court considers harmful to the rights and property of an employer or community.






14. 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.






15. A meeting of party delegates to vote on matters of policy and in some cases to select party candidates for public office.






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






17. A convention held in September 1786 to consider problems of trade and navigation - attended by five states and important because it issued the call to Congress and the states for what became the Constitutional Convention.






18. 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.






19. A tax whereby people with lower incomes pay a higher fraction of their income than people with higher incomes.






20. The Federal government's primary intelligence officer - responsible for overseeing all national intelligence agencies and providing advice to the President on terrorist threats.






21. An official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgment of the circumstances; one interpretation of the role of the legislator.






22. An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.






23. A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.






24. Conservative Christians who (as a group) have become more active in politics in the last two decades and were especially influential in the 2000 presidential election.






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






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






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






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






29. 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.






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






31. An action taken by Congress to reverse the presidential veto - requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber.






32. 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.






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






34. A formal agreement between a U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that acquires approval by both houses of Congress.






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






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






37. Promoting a particular position or an issue by interest groups or individuals but not candidates. Much issue advocacy is often electioneering for or against a candidate and - until 2004 had not been subject to regulation.






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






39. 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.






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






41. 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.






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






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






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






45. The inclination to focus on national issues - rather than local issues - in an election campaign. The impact of the national tide can be reduced by the nature of the candidates on the ballot who might have differentiated themselves from their party o






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






47. Constitutional division of powers among the legislative - executive - and judicial branches - with the legislative branch making law - the executive applying and enforcing the law - and the judiciary interpreting the law.






48. A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.






49. Synonymous with 'collective action -' it specifically studies how government officials - politicians - and voters respond to positive and negative incentives.






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