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. These are broad state grants to states for prescribed activities—welfare - child care - education - social services - preventive health care - and health services—with only a few strings attached. States have greater flexibility in deciding how to sp






2. 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.






3. A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.






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






5. Financial contributions by individuals or groups in the hope of influencing the outcome of the election and subsequently influencing policy.






6. Elections in which voters determine party nominees.






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






8. A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress after it adjourns






9. The reliance on diplomacy and negotiation to solve international problems.






10. Proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.






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






12. The practice of exporting U.S. jobs to lower paid employees in other nations.






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






14. A law that defines crimes against the public order.






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






16. The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.






17. The dispensing of government jobs to persons who belong to the winning political party.






18. Tax required to vote; prohibited for national elections by the Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964) and ruled unconstitutional for all elections in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966).






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






21. The principle of a two-house legislature.






22. Statement required by Federal law from all agencies for any project using Federal funds to assess the potential affect of the new construction or development on the environment.






23. 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.






24. A judicial system in which the court of law is a neutral arena where two parties argue their differences.






25. A procedure for terminating debate - especially filibusters - in the Senate.






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






27. Programs in which eligibility is based on prior contributions to government - usually in the form of payroll taxes.






28. An agency of Congress that analyzes presidential budget recommendations and estimates the cost of proposed legislation.






29. The widely shared beliefs - values - and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another.






30. The widespread belief that the United States is a land of opportunity and that individual initiative and hard work can bring economic success.






31. The head of the White House staff.






32. A veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for 10 days - the bill does not become law and does not return to Congress for possible override.






33. 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.






34. A permanent committee established in a legislature - usually focusing on a policy area.






35. Divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more heterogeneous or different.






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






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






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






39. A career government employee.






40. A small political party that rises and falls with a charismatic candidate or - if composed of ideologies on the right or left - usually persists over time; also called a third party.






41. 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.






42. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and to cooperate. The term has many applications in the various social sciences such as political science - sociology - and






43. Government in which the people elect those who govern and pass laws; also called a republic.






44. The right of a federal law or a regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation.






45. The means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy.






46. A minor party dedicated to the environment - social justice - nonviolence - and the foreign policy of nonintervention. Ralph Nader ran as the Green party's nominee in 2000.






47. The tendency in elections to focus on the personal attributes of a candidate - such as his/her strengths - weaknesses - background - experience - and visibility.






48. How voters feel about a candidate's background - personality - leadership ability - and other personal qualities.






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