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. Legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one states to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.






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. The current holder of the elected office.






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






5. The precise legal definition of how government will implement a policy.






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






7. A government entity that is independent of the legislative - executive - and judicial branches.






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






9. Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term.






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






11. A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. It consists of six commissioners appointed by president and confirmed by the Senate. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of camp






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






13. A philosophy that encourages individual nations to act on their own when facing threats from other nations.






14. The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition.






15. 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.






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






17. The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.






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






19. 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.






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






21. Federal program that provides medical benefits for low-income persons.






22. Alternative means of health care in which people or their employers are charged a set amount and the HMO provides health care and covers hospital costs.






23. Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments - the vice president - and a few other officials selected by the president.






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






25. Established rules and regulations that restrain government officials.






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






27. Engaging in activities aimed at influencing public officials - especially legislators - and the policies they enact.






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






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






30. A close contest; by extension - any contest in which the focus is on who is ahead and by how much rather than on substantive differences between the candidates.






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






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






33. 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.






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






35. The authority of a court to hear a case 'in the first instance.'






36. 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






37. 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.






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






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






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






41. International organization derived from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that promotes it free trade around the world.






42. A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.






43. A philosophy that encourages individual nations tacked together to solve international problems.






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






45. Government by religious leaders - who claim divine guidance.






46. Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.






47. The right to vote.






48. Alternative means of health care in which individuals make tax-deductible contributions to a special account that can be used to pay medical expenses.






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






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