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. Constitutional arrangement that concentrates power in a central government.






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






3. An economic system characterized by private property - competitive markets - economic incentives - and limited government involvement in the production - distribution - and pricing of goods and services.






4. The clause of the Constitution (Article I - Section 8 - Clause 3) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations.






5. Clause in the Constitution that states that 'Congress should have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. . . .' This clause is also known as the elastic clause as is a major and significant p

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


6. 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.






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






8. The total output of all economic activity in the nation - including goods and services.






9. The study of the characteristics of populations.






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






11. A social division based on national origin - religion - language - and often race.






12. Elections held midway between presidential elections.






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






14. Legislative act inflicting punishment - including deprivation of property - without a trial - on named individuals or members of a specific group.






15. 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






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






17. A convention held in September 1786 to consider problems of trade and navigation - attended by five states and important because it issued the call to Congress and the states for what became the Constitutional Convention.






18. Election in which voters choose party nominees.






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






21. Divisions within society that reinforce one another - making groups more homogenous or similar.






22. A policy-making alliance among loosely connected participants that comes together on a particular issue - then disbands.






23. The reliance on economic and military strength to solve international problems.






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






25. 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.






26. 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






27. Powers that the Constitution gives to both the national and state governments - such as the power to levy taxes.






28. Governance divided between the parties - as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.






29. 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.






30. A minor party dedicated to the environment - social justice - nonviolence - and the foreign policy of nonintervention. Ralph Nader ran as the Green party's nominee in 2000.






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






32. Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.






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






34. A jury of 6 to 12 persons that determines guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action.






35. The number of Americans who are out of work but actively looking for a job. The number does not usually include those who are not looking.






36. People who favor national action over action at the state and local levels.






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






38. Remedial action designed to overcome the effects of discrimination against minorities and women.






39. A collection of people who share a common interest or attitude and seek to influence government for specific ends. Interest groups usually work within the framework of government and try to achieve their goals through tactics such as lobbying.






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






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






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






43. Elections in which voters determine party nominees.






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






45. Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes - stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and the curve during booms.






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






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






48. The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party - group - or incumbent.






49. The idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the rights of the individuals who make up the nation.






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