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. Widespread agreement on fundamental principles of democratic governance and the values that undergird them.






2. A monopoly that controls goods and services - often in combinations that reduce competition.






3. 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.






4. A type of policy that takes benefits (usually through taxes) from one group of Americans and gives them to another (usually through spending).






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






6. Primary election in which any voter - regardless of party - may vote.






7. 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






8. Clause in the First Amendment that states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The Supreme Court has interpreted this to forbid governmental support to any or all religions.






9. A meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and to develop party policy. Called a conference by the Republicans.






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






11. 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






12. Synonymous with 'collective action -' it specifically studies how government officials - politicians - and voters respond to positive and negative incentives.






13. 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.






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






15. Something given with the expectation of receiving something in return.






16. The assigning by Congress of congressional seats after each census. State legislatures reapportion state legislative districts.






17. The rights of an individual to own - use - rent - invest in - buy - and sell property.






18. A technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Total preemption rests on the national governments power under the supremacy and commerce clauses to preempt conflicting state and local activity. Building on this constitutional authority - f






19. A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries - caucuses - or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president - ratify the party platform - elect officers - and adopt rules.






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






21. A form of organization that operates through impersonal - uniform rules and procedures.






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






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






24. A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage.






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






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






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






28. 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.






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






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






31. Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote.






32. A PAC formed by an officeholder that collects contributions from individuals and other PACs and then makes contributions to other candidates and political parties.






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






34. Quality or state of a work that taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex by depicting sexual conduct in a patently offensive way and that lacks serious literary - artistic - political - or scientific value.






35. The informal list of issues that Congress and the president consider most important for action.






36. Domination of an industry by a single company; also the company that dominates the industry.






37. A theory of international relations that focuses on the hope the nations will act together to solve international problems and promote peace.






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






39. 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.






40. 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






41. 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.






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






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






44. An official document - published every weekday - which lists the new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies.






45. Electoral system used in electing the president and vice president - in which voters vote for electors pledged to cast their ballots for particular party's candidates.






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






47. An opinion disagreeing with a majority in a Supreme Court ruling.






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






49. Government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials directly.






50. A minor party that believes in extremely limited government. Libertarians call for a free market system - expanded individual liberties such as drug legalization - and a foreign policy of nonintervention - free trade - and open immigration.