Test your basic knowledge |

CLEP American Government

Subjects : clep, civics
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. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.






2. An economic philosophy that advocates both tax and budget cuts to increase incentives to produce in order to expand the total supply of the nation's goods and services.






3. The power of some municipalities to modify their charters and run their affairs without approval by the state legislature.






4. 1976 Law requiring all governmental agency meetings to be open to the public unless classified information will be discussed.






5. Lead by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. Dedicated to defending federal authority and high tariffs. Gained supports of merchants - bankers - industrialists and planters.






6. Includes the 13th - 14th - and 15th Amendments. Abolished slavery and guaranteed due process and equal protection to all citizens.






7. Protects against unreasonable search and seizure.






8. States that arrestees must be informed of their right to remain silent - that anything they say can be held against them in a court - that they have a right to an attorney and that an attorney will be appointed to them if they cannot afford one.






9. Guarantees the right to a civil trial by jury.






10. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






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






12. A system in which national and state government have shared or overlapping powers. FDR's New Deal legislation established this system in the US.






13. Constitutionally required address by the President typically given in a joint session of Congress.






14. _____________ is responsible for monetary policy.






15. An opinion of one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion of the court which gives rise to its judgment.






16. Also known as the Massachusetts ballot - groups candidates according to the office for which they are running






17. Cabinet department responsible for the management of public lands - wildlife - natural resources - and Native American affairs. Established in 1849






18. ______________________is responsible for the management of the federal debt and the printing of currency. It is the major fiscal policy agency.






19. Washington v. Chrisman (1982) established the _________________ - allowing police officers to seize evidence without a warrant if the evidence is in obvious sight.






20. Wisconsin Republican who exploited public concern for political gain during the 1950's through freewheeling investigations of alleged Communists.






21. The ruling in this case provided that the government must prove a threat to national security in order to impose prior restraint.






22. (1781-1789) The written framework for the government of the original 13 states before the Constitution was adopted. Under this - the national government was weak and dominated by the states. There was a unicameral legislature - but no national execut






23. Which committee assignments would confer the most power and influence on members of the Senate?






24. A technique polling organizations use in which several people from the same neighborhood are interviewed.






25. The proceeding before a judge in which the formal charges of an indictment or information are read to an accused person - who may plead guilty or not guilty.






26. Executive check on Legislative Branch.






27. These candidates win re-election to the House 80-90% of the time.






28. The Supreme Court is the only judicial body that may hear disputes between _________________.






29. Philosopher John Locke - in his 1690 work Civil Government (second treatise) - advised separation of government power between






30. This author was highly influential on Thomas Jefferson - rejecting divine right - proposing that government is a social contract requiring the consent of the govern and establishing the concept of self-evident rights of life - liberty - and property.






31. A legislative leader of each party who is responsible for rounding up party members for important votes.






32. A group of high-level administrators and managers at the top of the government bureaucracy. SES members have less job tenure but are eligible for substantial cash bonuses for merit.






33. A policy adopted by the United States after the Second World War that assumed that if enough nuclear weapons were deployed by the United States - an enemy would not attack for fear of being destroyed in retaliation.






34. The way things should be by law






35. Broadly worded warrants used by British soldiers during colonial America to search for contraband and prevent smuggling.






36. Between conventions - the governing body of a major political party. Members of this group are chosen in the states and formally elected by the party






37. The FCC's equal time policy applies to _____________.






38. Guaranteed women the right to vote.






39. The Supreme Court has sometimes used a narrow interpretation of the Establishment Clause allowing the government to provide aid to religious groups as long as it remains ______________ and does not promote one religion at the expense of another. This






40. Government branch established in Article I of the Constitution.






41. The strongest factor contributing to an individual's political socialization tends to be






42. Included are Ways and Means - Veteran's Affairs - Transportation and Infrastructure - Standards of Official Conduct - Small Business - Science - Judiciary - Rules - Resources - Oversight of Government Reform - House Administration - Homeland Security






43. In 1872 - Susan B Anthony was arrested in Rochester - New York for






44. The right to privacy is ___________ in the Constitution.






45. When the population's overall feeling of political efficacy is low - voter turnout is _______.






46. Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has much discretion over how the recipient spends the money.






47. A small group of voters chosen by a political campaign for their demographic similarities who are brought together to gauge how the group they represent feels about the candidate.






48. Literally - a 'friend of the court' brief - filed by an individual or organization to present arguements in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case






49. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






50. Representing - characterized by - or including members from two parties or factions