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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. Independent agencies governed by an appointed and confirmed commission. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration - Environmental Protection Agency - and the Securities and Exchange Commission.






2. A federal law passed by Congress in 1939 to restrict political activities by federal workers. The law prevents federal employees while on duty from taking an active part in party politics or campaigns and also bars federal employees from running for






3. Lead by Theodore Roosevelt - this party platform focused on women's suffrage - social reform - fair business practices - and direct election of senators. The won 25% of the popular vote in 1911 - splitting the Republican vote and allowing Democrat Wo






4. Prompted by FDR's 4th election to the Presidency - the 22nd Amendment limited the number of Presidential terms to _____ terms.






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






6. First governing document of the Plymouth Colony establishing freedom of religion.






7. 1946 Act requiring bureaucratic agencies to appeal to the affected parties before adopting new policies. Legislative check on Bureaucracy.






8. Beginning with the election of Abraham Lincoln - the period between 1860 and the Great Depression was dominated by this political party.






9. 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.






10. Responsibilities include: Coordinating the nation's intelligence activities and Evaluating and disseminating intelligence that affects national security






11. When the President's own party gains power and influence - it more puts pressure on the President to conform to the will of the party - leading to________________ between the President and the party to define their public identities






12. In Congress - _____________ are informal organizations of individual congressional representatives with like interests or constituencies. Members work together to promote the interests of the groups they represent through legislation - policy - and p






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






14. A ruling by the Supreme Court in 1857






15. To an extent - the press and the government have a relationship that is _______________ and mutually dependent.






16. Theory that a government requires the consent of the governed.






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






18. Legislative house whose members were intended to represent the people.






19. Individual contributions to PACs are limited to ______________ dollars per candidate per election with primaries - general and special elections counting separately.






20. A system in which the national government sets requirements that are then implemented by state and local governments.






21. Cabinet department responsible for insuring mortgages and providing housing subsidies. Established in 1965






22. In the view of W. Lance Bennett - the people who hold and express opinions are constantly changing - as are the issues and conditions to which the public responds. As a result - Bennett suggests that public opinion is______________.






23. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






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






25. A system of _______________ - as in Italy - encourages the existence of many parties by allotting seats to competing candidates according to the percentage of votes they win.






26. Most states have ___________ legislatures.






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






28. Inherent powers of state governments to pass laws to protect health - safety - and welfare; the national government has no directly granted police powers but accomplishes the same goals through other delegated powers.






29. Political leaders typically try to both lead and follow ____________.






30. Overall spending targets set by the Congress.






31. As part of the negotiations concerning the Constitution - the South fought for and won an agreement forbidding the imposition of _______________.






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






33. The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution - setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words - 'We the people of the United States - in order to form a more perfect union. ...'






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






35. What principle - contained in the Fourth Amendment - protects a citizen from unwarranted search and seizure?






36. Senators have a __________ rate of re-election than Representatives primarily because of their larger constituency and lack of direct involvement with them.






37. The only court specifically outlined in the Constitution.






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






39. Political party lead by Andrew Jackson from 1828 to 1856. Campaigned against strong central government and fought to end elitism.






40. Constitutionally empowered to appoint judges - ambassadors - and other high officials - Constitutionally empowered to make treaties with foreign countries.






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






42. This contraversial legal technicality intended to protect civil liberties has allowed criminals to remain free when the courts refuse to admit evidence that may have been obtained illegally.






43. German sociologist theorized that the engine of government needs bureaucracies to provide expertise in a way that short-term elected or appointed official cannot.






44. The claim by presidents of an inherent right to withhold information from Congress and the judiciary.






45. Each Senate committee may have ________ subcommittees.






46. Organization of individuals with similar policy goals who enter the political process to influence legislation that affects the organizations interests






47. Process by which citizens propose an amendment by petition.






48. A policy that takes something away from one person and gives it to someone else -






49. The primary purpose of _______________consolidate the nation's disability laws and provide for strong federal enforcement of a strengthened disability rights mandate






50. Plan that proposed unicameral legislature with each state having one vote.






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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