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. Election in which voters choose party nominees.






2. Words that by their very nature inflict injury on those to whom they are addressed or insight them to acts of violence.






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






4. Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials - especially legislators - and the policies they enact.






5. A formal written statement from a grand jury charging an individual with an offense; also called a true bill.






6. 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.






7. A secret ballot printed by the state.






8. Contributions to a state or local party for party-building purposes.






9. 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.






10. Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.






11. Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.






12. The informal list of issues that Congress and the president consider most important for action.






13. Employment cycle in which individuals who work for governmental agencies that regulate interests eventually end up working for interest groups or businesses with the same policy concern.






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






15. The study of the characteristics of populations.






16. A philosophy that encourages individual nations to act on their own when facing threats from other nations.






17. A requirement the federal government imposes as a condition for receiving federal funds.






18. The desire to avoid international entanglement altogether.






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






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






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






22. 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.






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






24. Clause in the First Amendment that states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.






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






26. Government regulation of property so extensive that government is deemed to have taken the property by the power of eminent domain - for which it must compensate the property owners.






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






28. Constitutional doctrine that whenever conflict occurs between the constitutionally authorized actions of the national government and those of a state or local government - the actions of the federal government will prevail.






29. Quality or state of a work that taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex by depicting sexual conduct in a patently offensive way and that lacks serious literary - artistic - political - or scientific value.






30. An opinion disagreeing with a majority in a Supreme Court ruling.






31. The formal process for making regulations.






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






33. 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.






34. A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity.






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






36. 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.






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






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






39. The right to vote.






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






41. The total amount of money the Federal government has borrowed to finance deficit spending over the years.






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






43. A legal action conferring citizenship on an alien.






44. The process - most notably in families and schools - by which we develop our political attitudes - values - and beliefs.






45. The current holder of the elected office.






46. 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.






47. Trade status granted as part of an international trade policy that gives a nation the same favorable trade concessions and tariffs that the best trading partners receive.






48. The legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy - confers with other party leaders - and tries to keep members of the party in line.






49. The principle of a two-house legislature.






50. Literacy requirements some states imposed as a condition of voting - generally used to disqualify black voters in the South; now illegal.