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. Arrangement whereby public officials are hired to provide legal assistance to people accused of crimes who are unable to hire their own attorneys.






2. A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.






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






4. The proportion of the voting age public that votes - sometimes defined as the number of registered voters that vote.






5. An economic and governmental system based on public ownership of the means of production and exchange.






6. Method whereby representatives of the union and employer determine wages - hours - and other conditions of employment through direct negotiation.






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






8. The process by which we develop our political attitudes - values - and beliefs.






9. Presidential staff the agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






10. Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






11. Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.






12. The Supreme Court has ruled that individuals - groups - and parties can spend unlimited amounts in campaigns for or against candidates as long as they operate independently from the candidates. When an individual - group - or party does so - they are






13. Incumbents have an advantage over challengers in election campaigns because voters are more familiar with them - and incumbents are more recognizable.






14. 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.






15. In this type of sample - every individual has unknown and random chance of being selected.






16. A congressional district created to include a majority of minority voters; ruled constitutional so long as race is not the main factor in redistricting.






17. An explanation of the decision of the Supreme Court or any other appellate court.






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






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






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






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






22. The list of potential cases that reach the Supreme Court.






23. In a criminal action - the person or party accused of an offense.






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






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






26. A president's claim of broad public support.






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






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






29. Consumer tax on a specific kind of merchandise - such as tobacco.






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






31. A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals (each limited to $2000) and present them to a candidate or political party as a 'bundle -' thus increasing the PAC's influence.






32. A type of policy that provides benefits to all Americans.






33. Money government provides to parents to pay their children's tuition in a public or private school of their choice.






34. Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president.






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






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






37. 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






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






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






40. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.






41. The inclination to focus on national issues - rather than local issues - in an election campaign. The impact of the national tide can be reduced by the nature of the candidates on the ballot who might have differentiated themselves from their party o






42. Usually the largest organization in government with the largest mission; also the highest rank in Federal hierarchy.






43. A government agency that operates like a business corporation - created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.






44. Donations made to political candidates - party committees - or groups which - by law - are limited and must be declared.






45. 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.






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






47. 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.






48. Promoting a particular position or an issue paid for 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 any regulation.






49. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






50. The power to keep executive communications confidential - especially if they relate to national security.