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. The head of the White House staff.






2. A national meeting of delegates elected at 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.






3. The desire to avoid international entanglement altogether.






4. The presiding officer in the House of Representatives - formally elected by the House but actually selected by the majority party.






5. Photo opportunities set up by the candidates. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on photo ops to explain them to the public.






6. Deliberate refusal to obey law or comply with orders of public officials as a means of expressing opposition.






7. A formal - public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two thirds of the Senate.






8. 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.






9. 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.






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






11. A policy promoting cutbacks in the amount of Federal regulation in specific areas of economic activity.






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






13. Tax levied on imports to help protect the nation's industries - labor - or farmers from foreign competition. It can also be used to raise additional revenue.






14. During the Great Society - the marble cake approach of intergovernmental relations.






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






16. The practice of exporting U.S. jobs to lower paid employees in other nations.






17. Formal accusation against a president or other public official - the first step in removal from office.






18. The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election.






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






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






21. 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






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






23. Promoting a particular position or an issue 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 regulation.






24. A landmark case in United States law and the basis for the exercise of judicial review in the United States - under Article Three of the United States Constitution. The case resulted from a petition to the Supreme Court by William Marbury - who had b






25. A policy-making alliance that involves a very strong ties among a congressional committee - an interest group - and a Federal Department or agency.






26. Efforts by government to alter the free operation of the market to achieve social goals such as protecting workers and the environment.






27. An imbalance in international trade in which the value of imports exceeds the value of exports.






28. 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.






29. 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






30. A provision attached to a bill






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






32. 30-second statements on the evening news shows. The media have been accused of simplifying complicated political issues by relying on sound bites to explain them to the public.






33. The set of arrangements - including checks and balances - federalism - separation of powers - rule of law - due process - and a bill of rights - that requires our leaders to listen - think - bargain - and explain before they act or make laws. We then






34. 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






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






36. A formal decision to reject the bill passed by Congress.






37. The residents of a congressional district or state.






38. Elections in which voters determine party nominees.






39. Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates.






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






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






42. 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.






43. Democratic party primary in the old 'one-party South' that was limited to white people and essentially constituted an election; ruled unconstitutional in Smith v. Allwright (1944).






44. A congressional committee created for a specific purpose - sometimes to conduct an investigation.






45. Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.






46. 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.






47. The process by which provisions of the bill of rights are brought within the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment and so applied to state and local governments.






48. 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.






49. 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






50. Libel - obscenity - fighting words - and commercial speech - which are not entitled to constitutional protection in all circumstances.