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. A decision made by a higher court such as a circuit court of appeals or the Supreme Court that is binding on all other federal courts.






2. Clause of the Constitution (Article I - Section 10) originally intended to prohibit state governments from modifying contracts made between individuals; for a while interpreted as prohibiting state governments from taking actions that adversely affec






3. People who favor national action over action at the state and local levels.






4. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Direct orders must be complied with under threat of criminal or civil sanction. An example is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 - barring job discrimination by state and local gover






5. A secret ballot printed by the state.






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






7. The portion of the Federal budget that is spent on programs - such as Social Security - that the president and Congress are unwilling to cut.






8. Holding incumbents - usually the president's party - responsible for their records on issues - such as the economy or foreign policy.






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






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






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. A court with appellate jurisdiction that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts.






13. Procedure whereby a certain number of voters may - by petition - propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters.






14. 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






15. Candidate or party with the most votes cast in an election - not necessarily more than half.






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






17. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.






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






19. Programs that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding.






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






21. Federal laws (starting with the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890) that try to prevent a monopoly from dominating an industry and restraining trade.






22. The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.






23. 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






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






25. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership can be a condition of employment.






26. A division of population based on occupation - income - and education.






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






28. 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.






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






30. An organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so that its positions and philosophy become public policy.






31. Compromise between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.






32. A policy-making alliance that involves a very strong ties among a congressional committee - an interest group - and a Federal Department or agency.






33. 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.






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






35. Interest groups organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code may advertise for or against candidates. If their source of funding is corporations or unions - they have some restrictions on broadcast advertising. 527 organizations were impo






36. 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.






37. Policy of erecting trade barriers to protect domestic industry.






38. Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated.






39. Elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of the party's candidate is almost taken for granted.






40. 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.






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






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






43. An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood.






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






45. Court order directing an official to perform an official duty.






46. Petition that - if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members - will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.






47. The clause in the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 8 - Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.






48. Aid to the poor; 'welfare.'






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






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