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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. Most Americans support ______________ primarily as part of their criticism of PACs






2. Method by which federal court judges may lose their position.






3. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






4. Devolutionary system in which the national government returns tax dollars to the state and local governments primarily in the form of block grants.






5. A form of city government under which a council - usually elected on a nonpartisan ticket - hires a professional city manager - who runs the city government and has power to hire and fire officials.






6. Eisenhower's philosophy of being liberal in all things human and being conservative with all things fiscal. Appealed to both Republicans and Democrats.






7. This powerful House committee is in charge of determining under what rule other bills will come to the floor.






8. The yearly value of goods and services produced within a country.






9. 1925 Supreme Court case overturned Baron v. Baltimore and applied the Bill of Rights to states.






10. This body of government has final authority on the meaning of the Constitution.






11. A word that comes from two Greek roots - demos - 'the populace -' and kratia - 'rule'






12. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be ___________.






13. People may vote in a party's primary only if they are registered members of that party. Independents cannot participate. Note that because some political parties name themselves independent - the term 'non-partisan' often replaces 'independent' when






14. Organizations or groups - such as labor unions or fraternal - professional - or religious groups - that may influence an individual's opinion.






15. The average voter turnout between 1960 and 2004 was __________ percent






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






17. An economic system of free enterprise with private ownership of the means of production.






18. The practice of victorious politicians to reward their followers with jobs. Also known as the spoils system.






19. Requires that a suspect in a federal case be arraigned without unnecessary delay.






20. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






21. A relaxation of international tensions.






22. The estimated number of illegal aliens living in the US.






23. The House appropriations committee has ___ subcommittees.






24. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendment to bills or provides that only memebers of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments






25. Includes expressive conduct/assembly/actions and symbolic behavior (ex. Picketing or burning the flag) Based on our country history of symbolic acts such as the Boston Tea Party - courts almost always uphold symbolic acts of speech unless they are cr






26. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






27. According to the Speedy Trial Act of 1974 - federal trials must commence within _______ days of arrest with the exception of delay for mental health testing of the defendant and illness of the defendant or key witness.






28. David R. Mayhew has suggested that this influences congressional behavior. The ________________ is the relationship between members of Congress and their constituents.






29. Department established in 1988 by President G.H. Bush.

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30. Concurrent resolution - adopted by both Houses of Congress - that sets forth a Congressional budget plan for the budget year and at least four out-years.






31. The fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government - such as freedom of speech - religion - press - and assembly.






32. The pursuit and exercise of power.






33. During Presidential election years or when the nation is divided on policy agenda - particularly regarding salient issues - voter turnout is _____________






34. By far - the largest amount of federal aid to state and local governments comes in the form of:






35. Baby boomers - women - and voters with higher levels of education tend to have a ____________ voter turnout.






36. A term popularized by sociologist Floyd Hunter to describe the community leaders who he said determined policy in Atlanta - Georgia. More broadly - the term is used to describe 'power elites' generally.






37. The issue of slavery split the Democratic Party into what two factions?






38. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over budget and appointments of leadership.






39. A pluralist theory by C. Wright Mills where a small number of wealthy elite wield most of the power. Fundamental to all governments around the world - the elite rule while they make the lower classes feel like they are involved in democracy. The elit






40. Walter DeVries and Lance Tarrance have concluded that in many elections the outcome is determined by ______________.






41. In an election with more than 2 options - the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number - but less that half of the votes.






42. Which two British Acts - passed in 1764 - caused American colonists for the first time to organize protests against the injustices of British rule - and sparked the rallying cry 'no taxation without representation'?






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






44. In charge of all state funds. Supervises the collection of taxes and payment of state's bill






45. In Johnson v. Texas (1989) - the Supreme Court ruled that burning the flag in a manner that does not pose a threat to people or property is allowed as this type of freedom of speech.






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






47. A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute currently before a court.






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






49. _____ out of 9 justices must agree to hear an appellate case brought to them from a lower court.






50. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal







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