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. When the minority party becomes stronger than the majority party - usually the result of winning a critical election.






2. A relaxation of international tensions.






3. The philosophy that government should intervene as little as possible in economic affairs.






4. Responsible for further investigation - hearings - and amendment to a bill






5. In the mid-term elections following a President's inauguration - his party tends to ___________ seats in Congress.






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






7. The vote cast by a person who does not like either candidate and so votes for the less objectionable of the two - putting a clothespin over his nose to keep out the unpleasant stench






8. Literally meaning 'right of blood' - confers citizenship to a child from the parents.






9. In 1978 - the Supreme Court - in the 'seven dirty words' case - ruled that the government has the right to prohibit the broadcasting of _______________.






10. This event was an important factor in creating the climate for a new Constitution.


11. The principle - established by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1819 in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland - that the Constitution must be interpreted flexibly to meet changing conditions.






12. Members of this party typically include women who support liberal policies on abortion and equal pay - Jews - Catholics - Blacks and other minorities - Blue-collar working class - urban - labor unions - and intelligensia






13. Political theorist proposed the separation of church and state.






14. An economy in which most economic decisions result from the interaction of buyers and sellers in markets - but in which the government plays a significant role in the allocation of resources.






15. The only amendments to be ratified through the process of 'ratifying conventions -' not a vote in the state legislatures






16. A strand of American foreign policy that was visible by the end of the 19th century; it included 'gunboat diplomacy' and other forms of military involvement by the United States in various parts of the world.






17. A policy of avoiding foreign involvement.






18. In addition to the doctrine of implied powers - Chief Justice Marshall - in his decision in the Supreme Court case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - established the key concept of:






19. In this essay - James Madison recognized that reconciling the competing interests of various groups was what legislation was all about






20. Literally meaning 'right of soil' - confers citizenship by place of birth.






21. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






22. Judicial Check on Legislative Branch. Not specifically outlined in the Constitution - but established in the case of Marbury v. Madison through the application of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI.






23. This 1964 case established strict standards for proving slander and libel - court must prove intent of malice on the part of the publisher.






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






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






26. A power of the president to kill a bill by taking no action (if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period after the president receives the bill). Some court rulings have suggested that a president may exercise a pocket veto only when Congress adjour






27. New Jersey v. TLO (1985) established that school authorities may search students without _____________ as long as they are reasonable.






28. Number of years a President must reside in the US prior to taking office






29. If 10 days remain in session and the president does not sign an act of Congress - the law is ___________.






30. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






31. High School Dropouts - Blacks - Hispanics - Recent immigrants - and People under 25 or over 75 tend to have a _________ voter turnout.






32. Guaranteed women the right to vote.






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






34. The Equal Rights Amendment was defeated in 1982 because ____________________________.






35. A system in which the power to govern is shared between national and state governments






36. The belief that all people possess certain basic rights that may not be abridged by government.






37. The power of the president - struck down by the Supreme Court in 1998 - to veto parts of appropriations bills. Most state governors have this power.






38. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






39. The House appropriations committee has ___ subcommittees.






40. A vote in the House of Representatives in which the position of each member is noted and published in the Congressional Record.






41. The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents - such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.






42. The 1st Amendment states that government cannot issue ______________ - censoring publications before they are published.






43. An economic system in which the factors of production are owned by the publicand operate for the welfare of all.






44. A coherent set of beliefs about politics - public policy - and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political event - personalities - and policies.






45. If significant amendments are made to a bill during committee - the bill is sometimes given a new number as a _______________.






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






47. 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.






48. The chair and the heads of the three armed services - and - when Marine Corps matters are under consideration - the commandant of the marines. By law - they advise the president and the secretary of defense and are the chiefs of their respective mili






49. The period of time after the election of FDR until the Vietnam War was dominated by the Democratic Party and know as the __________________ Era.






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