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. Powers the Constitution specifically grants to one of the branches of the national government.






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






3. A writ issued by a magistrate that authorizes the police to search a particular place or person - specifying the place to be searched and the objects to be seized.






4. The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition.






5. A company in which new employees must join a union within a stated time period.






6. A philosophy that encourages individual nations tacked together to solve international problems.






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






8. A president's claim of broad public support.






9. Providing automatic increases to compensate for inflation.






10. A characteristic of individuals that is predictive of political behavior.






11. The joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot as required by the Twelfth Amendment.






12. 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.






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






14. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership is a condition of employment.






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






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






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






18. 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.






19. 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.






20. Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that freedom of expression is so essential to democracy that governments should not punish persons for what they say - only for what they do.






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






22. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership cannot be required as a condition of employment.






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






24. A monopoly that controls goods and services - often in combinations that reduce competition.






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






26. 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.






27. The rights of all people to dignity and worth; also called human rights.






28. A minor party that believes in extremely limited government. Libertarians call for a free market system - expanded individual liberties such as drug legalization - and a foreign policy of nonintervention - free trade - and open immigration.






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






30. Agency that administers civil service laws - rules - and regulations.






31. Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.






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






33. 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.






34. A provision in a deed to real property prohibiting its sale to a person of a particular race or religion. Judicial enforcement of such deeds is unconstitutional.






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






36. A government agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by Congress.






37. 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.






38. Government by the people - both directly or indirectly - with free and frequent elections.






39. 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.






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






41. Period at the beginning of the new president's term during which the president enjoys generally positive relations with the press and Congress - usually lasting about six months.






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






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






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






45. The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census - to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.






46. Formal accusation against a president or other public official - the first step in removal from office.






47. An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






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






49. A provision attached to a bill






50. 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