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. Infamous 1735 English case established the precedent for Freedom of the Press in the US.






2. The policy established after the Second World War that America must take an active leadership role in world affairs






3. In addition to overseeing the activities of one or more federal agencies - a ___________________may also serve as the authorizing committee for federal agencies' programs and operations.






4. These party members tend to be ideologues who put issues ahead of winning elections and withhold support from candidates who do not share their stance on issues. Very active in special interest groups and caucuses within the party. Willing to break a






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






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






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






8. The sum of the goals - decisions - and actions that govern a nation's relations with the rest of the world.






9. Voters in a political district - or supporters of an elected official; or interest groups or client groups that are either directly regulated by the bureaucracy or vitally affected by its decisions.






10. Elects the President if no candidate receives 270 Electoral College votes.






11. Because there is no Senate Rules Committee - Senators can debate a bill for an _________________ time.






12. During the period from 1976 to 1824 - This party was lead by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. They wanted a stronger national government that would rectify the pitfalls of the Articles of Confederation. Their supporters held a stronghold in New






13. While both Asian and Hispanic immigrants experience various types of discrimination - Hispanic immigrants are more likely to experience economic discrimination. This explains why most Hispanics identify with the ____________ party - while Asians do n






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






15. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted






16. 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






17. Love of country and a desire for independence; it can also mean an excessive form of patriotism exploited by political leaders.






18. This group of voters historically supported Republicans - a party founded on an anti-slavery platform. During the 1930's they began supporting the New Deal policies of the Democratic party.






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






20. Early civil rights leader established the Niagara Movement and helped to establish the NAACP.






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






22. A provision in a deed to real property prohibiting its sale to a person of a particular race or religion. Judicial enforcement is unconstitutional.






23. This 1st amendment clause prohibits the government from making any law prohibiting the exercise of any religion






24. Laws - rules - and government programs designed to protect individual rights and specific groups - as well as to benefit society as a whole in such areas as health - worker safety - consumer protection - and the environment.






25. Legislative opinions on a matter that do not require Presidential signature.






26. The 1896 case of Plessy v. Fergusan established the racial segregation policy of __________________.






27. A test established by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes - Jr. - in 1919 to define the point at which speech loses the protection of the First Amendment.






28. A group of people - chosen by poll-takers - that is representative of the universe that is being polled.






29. 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






30. Congress' first step towards allocating funds






31. Court cases that concern crimes committed against the public order.






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






33. Cabinet department responsible for regulating and promoting trade and maintaining the census Established in 1913..






34. Laws must be administered in a fair manner.






35. 'lame duck' amendment






36. Clause in the 14th Amendment that forbids any state to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. The 5th Amendment also imposes this limitation on the national government.






37. Most states have ___________ legislatures.






38. Formal approval or consent given to a constitution - constitutional amendment - or treaty before it goes into effect.






39. Until the law was changed in 2002 - the term described unregulated campaign funds not subject to the limits of federal law because they went to party committees and not directly to candidates. The 2002 law banned contributions of soft money to nation






40. While the verbiage of the 4th Amendment is vague as to what constitutes 'reasonable'. Police departments must rely on _____________; they cannot act on unfounded suspicion.






41. After the bill reaches the house floor - if opponents have many changes - they may vote to ______________________.






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






43. ____________________ define Congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court.






44. _____________ is responsible for monetary policy.






45. Senators are re-elected every ___ years with 1/3 of the Senate being up for election every 2 years.






46. Article VI - Paragraph 2 - of the Constitution - which declares that the Constitution - and the laws and treaties of the United States made under it - are 'the supreme Law of the Land' and prevail over any conflicting state constitutions or laws.






47. 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






48. The tendency of presidents to lose support over time.






49. The executive office established in response to intelligence lapses during WWI. Oversees American foreign policy and includes the President - Vice President - Secretary of State - Secretary of Defense and is lead by the National Security Advisor.






50. An offical who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of the legislator