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 right to renounce one's citizenship.






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






3. 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.






4. 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.






5. Written defamation of another person. For public officials and public figures - the constitutional tests designed to restrict libel actions are especially rigid.






6. 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.






7. 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.'






8. An electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official.






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






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






11. A jury of 12 to 23 persons who - in private - hear evidence presented by the government to determine whether persons shall be required to stand trial. If the jury believes there is sufficient evidence that a crime was committed - it issues an indictm






12. Powers that grow out of the very existence of government.






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






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






15. Requirement that evidence unconstitutionally or illegally obtained be excluded from a criminal trial.






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






17. A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries - caucuses - or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president - ratify the party platform - elect officers - and adopt rules.






18. The idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the rights of the individuals who make up the nation.






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






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






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






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






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






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






25. The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities. Currently the office includes the Office of Management and Budget - the Council of Economic Advisers - and several other units.






26. 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.






27. The act of declaring party affiliation; required by some states when one registers to vote.






28. 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.






29. Elections held in years when the president is on the ballot.






30. A PAC formed by an officeholder that collects contributions from individuals and other PACs and then makes contributions to other candidates and political parties.






31. Initial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.






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






33. Domination of an industry by a single company that fixes prices and discourages competition; also - the company that dominates the industry by these means.






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






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






36. 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.






37. Something given with the expectation of receiving something in return.






38. Views the Constitution as giving a limited list of powers—primarily foreign policy and national defense—to the national government - leaving the rest to the sovereign states. Each level of government is dominant within its own sphere. The Supreme Cou






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






40. Programs such as unemployment insurance - disaster relief - or disability payments that provide benefits to all eligible citizens.






41. Unlimited and undisclosed spending by an individual or group on communications that do not use words like 'vote for' or 'vote against -' although much of this activity is actually about electing or defeating candidates.






42. Views the national government - 50 states - and thousands of local governments as competing with each other over ways to put together packages of services and taxes. Applies the analogy of the marketplace: we have some choice about which state and ci






43. Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.






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






45. A policy-making alliance among loosely connected participants that comes together on a particular issue - then disbands.






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






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






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






49. Legislative or executive review of a particular government program or organization. Can be in response to a crisis of some kind or part of routine review.






50. Money spent by individuals or groups not associated with candidates to elect or defeat candidates for office.