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






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






3. 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






4. Inherent powers of state governments to pass laws to protect the public health - safety - and welfare; the national government has no directly granted police powers but accomplishes the same goals through other delegated powers.






5. Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents.






6. The right to vote.






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






8. 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.






9. Stresses federalism as a system of intergovernmental relations in delivering governmental goods and services to the people and calls for cooperation among various levels of government.






10. 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






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






12. Constitutional division of powers among the legislative - executive - and judicial branches - with the legislative branch making law - the executive applying and enforcing the law - and the judiciary interpreting the law.






13. A tax on increased value of the product at each stage of production and distribution rather than just at the point of sale.






14. 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






15. Powers the Constitution specifically grants to one of the branches of the national government.






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






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






18. The principle of a two-house legislature.






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






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






21. Government by the people - both directly or indirectly - with free and frequent elections.






22. 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.






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






24. Congress appropriates funds for a specific purpose - such as school lunches or for building airports and highways. These funds are allocated by formula and are subject to detailed federal conditions - often on a matching basis; that is - the local go






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






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






27. 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.






28. Programs such as Medicaid and welfare under which applicants must meet eligibility requirements based on need.






29. The difference between the political opinions or political behavior of men and of women.






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






31. People who favor state or local action rather than national action.






32. Requirement that evidence unconstitutionally or illegally obtained be excluded from a criminal trial.






33. A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody.






34. Formal accusation by the lower house of legislature against a public official - the first step in removal from office.






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






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






37. Elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of the party's candidate is almost taken for granted.






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






39. The convention in Philadelphia - May 25 to September 17 - 1787 - that debated and agreed upon the Constitution of the United States.






40. A term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups.






41. The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities. Currently the office includes the Office of Management and Budget - the Council of Economic Advisers - and several other units.






42. 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






43. A legal action conferring citizenship on an alien.






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






45. 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.






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






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






48. The current holder of the elected office.






49. Literally - a 'friend of the court' brief - filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.






50. Those citizens who follow public affairs carefully.