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. A legal principle of fair dealing - which may provide preventive measures and legal remedies that are unavailable under existing common law and statutory law.






2. Prohibits the use of cruel or unusual punishment.






3. In WV State BOE v Barnette (1943) - the Supreme Court ruled that compelling citizens to salute the flag violates the principles of a free society - upholding which 1st Amendment rights?






4. ________ of voters identify with one political party in advance of the campaign.






5. Number of Senators elected at large per state -






6. In the 1964 case of ____________ - the Supreme Court: established 'one person - one vote' -






7. Elections that reflect the basic party identification of the voters.






8. An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government - promoting a free market economy - a non-interventionist foreign policy - and an absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres.






9. Federal aid that states and localities may use mostly as they wish.






10. A ruling by the Supreme Court in 1857






11. Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees - task forces - and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.






12. Compromise between the large states and small states that established the bicameral Legislature consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Also included 3/5 compromise on the status of slaves in representation.






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






14. The median income of women is ___________ percent of men.






15. This may be done by a national constitutional convention called by Congress on the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures OR By the passage of a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress






16. An issue on which voters distinguish rival parties by the degree to which they associate each party or candidate with conditions - goals - or symbols the electorate universally approves or disapproves of. Examples of such issues are economic prosperi






17. Belief in the value of strong government to provide economic secruity and protection for civil rights - combined with a belief in personal freedom from government intervention in social conduct






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






19. These voters tend to have a high voter turnout because of their strong since of civic duty due to growing up during an era of political and civil unrest.






20. Laws passed by state legislatures that are designed to protect reporters from being forced to reveal their news sources.






21. An interest group organization that represents a specific group of people (Ex. NAACP - AARP)






22. The formal source of all authority in each major political party. It nominates the party candidates for president and vice president - writes a platform - settles disputes - writes rules - and elects the members of the national committee.






23. Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.






24. A device that allows the House of Representatives to conduct its business with fewer restrictions on debate and a quorum of only 100 members.






25. The number of ______________ a state receives is based on the number Representatives and Senators that the state has in Congress






26. Judges in Legislative Courts serve _______ terms and do not require impeachment.






27. The Supreme Court's broad interpretation of this clause has denied direct aid from the government for religious groups - but does allow religious groups to make use of government services such as police and fire.






28. ________________ of the Constitution dictates how the Constitution shall be amended.






29. Formerly known as the Anti-Federalist - this party lead by Thomas Jefferson advocated states rights pressing the causes of the common people and agrarian interest. Dominated the political arena until the Civil War.






30. Powers specifically outlined in the Constitution as assigned to one branch of government.






31. 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'?






32. The main mechanism used by modern political parties to nominate their candidate for President.






33. The attitudes and actions of people that sustain and buttress the political system at all levels and allows the political system to continue to work.






34. Guarantees that an accused in innocent until proven guilty.






35. Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.






36. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and cooperate.






37. The view advocated by Supreme Court Justices Hugo Black and William O. Douglas that there are provisions of the Bill of Rights that cannot be diluted by judicial decisions.






38. _______________ indicates a citizens' faith and trust in government and their own belief that they can understand and influence political affairs






39. Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people






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






41. Number of current cabinet positions under GW Bush.






42. The framers of the Constitution created the Senate to function as a check on the ________________.






43. This author of Leviathon posited that government is necessary because people are generally in a state of conflict.






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






45. These party members are highly involved in the electoral process. Donate funds to party and candidates - demand a voice in state party agendas and tend to have a strong belief in their party's ideology.






46. Total number of Representatives apportioned to the states based on population and reapportioned with the census every 10 years






47. Minimum number of voters per state in the Electoral College.






48. Plan that proposed bicameral legislature where states were to have representation based on size in both houses.






49. This term refers to the gain in the polls that a candidate often enjoys after a national convention






50. Which historical figure described democracy as 'the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time?'