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. Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government - generally.






2. 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.






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. Interpretation of the First Amendment that would permit legislatures to forbid speech encouraging people to engage in illegal action.






5. The desire to avoid international entanglement altogether.






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






7. 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.






8. Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state or local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.






9. The process by which individuals perceive what they want to in media messages.






10. 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.






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






12. Congress appropriates a certain sum - which is allocated to state and local units and sometimes to nongovernmental agencies - based on applications from those who wish to participate. Examples are grants by the National Science Foundation to universi






13. Agreement signed by the United States - Canada - and Mexico in 1992 to form the largest free trade zone in the world.






14. International organization derived from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that promotes it free trade around the world.






15. The idea that a just government must derive its powers from the consent of the people it governs.






16. How voters feel about a candidate's background - personality - leadership ability - and other personal qualities.






17. The study of the characteristics of populations.






18. A philosophy that encourages individual nations tacked together to solve international problems.






19. 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






20. Tax required to vote; prohibited for national elections by the Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964) and ruled unconstitutional for all elections in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966).






21. 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.






22. 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.






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






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






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






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






27. Agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant that the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser offense to avoid having to stand trial for a more serious offense.






28. The formal process for making regulations.






29. The effort to slow the growth of the federal government by returning many functions to the states.






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






31. The formal instructions that government issues for implementing laws.






32. 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






33. Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.






34. Established rules and regulations that restrain government officials.






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






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






38. Consumer tax on a specific kind of merchandise - such as tobacco.






39. 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.






40. Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term.






41. State laws formerly pervasive throughout the South requiring public facilities and accommodations to be segregated by race; ruled unconstitutional.






42. 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.






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






44. Review of all executive branch testimony - reports - and draft legislation by the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that each communication to Congress is in accordance with the president's program.






45. The portion of the Federal budget that is spent on programs - such as Social Security - that the president and Congress are unwilling to cut.






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






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






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






49. Censorship imposed before a speech is made or a newspaper is published; usually presumed to be unconstitutional.






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