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. Authority given by Congress to the Federal bureaucracy to use reasonable judgment in implementing the laws.






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






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. The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.






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






6. 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.






7. The process of putting a law into practice through bureaucratic rules or spending.






8. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.






9. A grouping of human beings with distinctive characteristics determined by genetic inheritance.






10. The dispensing of government jobs to persons who belong to the winning political party.






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






12. 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






13. System designed to reduce voter fraud by limiting voting to those who have established eligibility to vote by submitting the proper documents.






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






15. A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government.






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






17. The joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot as required by the Twelfth Amendment.






18. The principle of a two-house legislature.






19. Statement required by Federal law from all agencies for any project using Federal funds to assess the potential affect of the new construction or development on the environment.






20. A decision made by a higher court such as a circuit court of appeals or the Supreme Court that is binding on all other federal courts.






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






22. A combination of entitlement programs - paid for by employer and employee taxes - that includes retirement benefits - health insurance - and support for disabled workers and the children of deceased or disabled workers.






23. Election in which voters choose party nominees.






24. Providing automatic increases to compensate for inflation.






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






26. 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.






27. Constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states - by compact - create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.






28. 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.






29. A formal agreement between a U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that acquires approval by both houses of Congress.






30. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






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






32. A congressional district created to include a majority of minority voters; ruled constitutional so long as race is not the main factor in redistricting.






33. Established by Congress in 1978 as a flexible - mobile corps of senior career executives who worked closely with presidential appointees to manage government.






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






35. Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the Federal bureaucracy.






36. 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.






37. A company in which new employees must join a union within a stated time period.






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






39. 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.






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






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






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






43. Clause in the Fifth Amendment limiting the power of the national government; similar clause in the Fourteenth Amendment prohibiting state governments from depriving any person of life - liberty - or property without due process of law.






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






45. The principle of a two-house legislature.






46. A formal writ used to bring a case before the Supreme Court.






47. A rise in the general price level (and decrease in dollar value) owing to an increase in the volume of money and credit in relation to available goods.






48. Interest groups organized under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code may advertise for or against candidates. If their source of funding is corporations or unions - they have some restrictions on broadcast advertising. 527 organizations were impo






49. 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.






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