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. An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins.






2. Police targeting of racial minorities as potential suspects of criminal activities.






3. Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787 - protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

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4. 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.






5. An action taken by Congress to reverse the presidential veto - requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber.






6. Lawsuit brought by an individual or group of people on behalf of all those similarly situated.






7. A combination of entitlement programs - paid for by employer and employee taxes - that includes retirement benefits - health insurance - and support for disabled workers and the children of deceased or disabled workers.






8. A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.






9. 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.






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






11. The system created by Congress in 1913 to establish banking practices and regulate currency in circulation and the amount of credit available. It consists of 12 regional banks supervised by the Board of Governors. Often called simply the Fed.






12. Unlimited amounts of money that political parties previously could raise for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state and local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.






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






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






15. System designed to reduce voter fraud by limiting voting to those who have established eligibility to vote by submitting the proper documents.






16. Constitutional requirement that governments act reasonably and that the substance of the laws themselves be fair and reasonable; limits what the government may do.






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






18. 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.






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






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






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






22. An official who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of legislator.






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






24. The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or - in a state court - the state constitution.






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






26. 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.






27. 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






28. A theory of government that holds that open - multiple - and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.






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






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






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






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






33. Review of all executive branch testimony - reports - and draft legislation by the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that each communication to Congress is in accordance with the president's program.






34. 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.






35. 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.






36. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Federal grants may establish certain conditions that extend to all activities supported by federal funds - regardless of their source. The first and most famous of these is Title VI of the 196






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






38. 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.






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






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






41. 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.






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






43. Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that the government cannot interfere with speech unless the speech presents a clear and present danger that it will lead to evil or illegal acts.






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






45. 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






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






47. Championed by Ronald Reagan - presumes that the power of the federal government is limited in favor of the broad powers reserved to the states.

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






49. Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.






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