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. 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.






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 right to keep executive communications confidential - especially if they relate to National Security.






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






5. Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.






6. 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






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






8. A court with appellate jurisdiction that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts.






9. A nonprofit association or group operating outside of government that advocates and pursues policy objectives.






10. An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






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






12. The widespread belief that the United States is a land of opportunity and that individual initiative and hard work can bring economic success.






13. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and to cooperate. The term has many applications in the various social sciences such as political science - sociology - and






14. A company with a labor agreement under which union membership can be a condition of employment.






15. 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.






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






17. A permanent committee established in a legislature - usually focusing on a policy area.






18. Divisions within society that cut across demographic categories to produce groups that are more heterogeneous or different.






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






20. An election during periods of expanded suffrage and change in the economy and society that proves to be a turning point - redefining the agenda of politics and the alignment of voters within parties.






21. Retroactive criminal law that works to the disadvantage of a person.






22. Police targeting of racial minorities as potential suspects of criminal activities.






23. The tendency in elections to focus on the personal attributes of a candidate - such as his/her strengths - weaknesses - background - experience - and visibility.






24. The rights of all people to dignity and worth; also called human rights.






25. The act of declaring party affiliation; required by some states when one registers to vote.






26. The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.






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






28. The tendency of presidents to learn more about doing their jobs over time.






29. 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.






30. Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.






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






32. 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.






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






34. The principle of a two-house legislature.






35. The process - most notably in families and schools - by which we develop our political attitudes - values - and beliefs.






36. A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.






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






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






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






40. The right to vote.






41. An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party that most people acquire in childhood.






42. These are broad state grants to states for prescribed activities—welfare - child care - education - social services - preventive health care - and health services—with only a few strings attached. States have greater flexibility in deciding how to sp






43. The right of a federal law or a regulation to preclude enforcement of a state or local law or regulation.






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






45. A secret ballot printed by the state.






46. 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.






47. 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






48. The head of the White House staff.






49. 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.






50. Financial contributions by individuals or groups in the hope of influencing the outcome of the election and subsequently influencing policy.