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






2. 6 In the view of Robert L. Lineberry - policy analysts focus on the _______________.






3. Approximately 33% of American voters identify themselves as _______________ party.






4. A policy of avoiding foreign involvement.






5. A system in which national and state government have shared or overlapping powers. FDR's New Deal legislation established this system in the US.






6. Federal laws limit the amount of ___________ that can be donated directly to campaign coffers.






7. Wisconsin Republican who exploited public concern for political gain during the 1950's through freewheeling investigations of alleged Communists.






8. Legislative branch incorporating two houses.






9. The foreign policy of the United States during the period after the Second World War - designed to contain the expansion of Soviet power.






10. Lead by Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. Dedicated to defending federal authority and high tariffs. Gained supports of merchants - bankers - industrialists and planters.






11. Raise Public Awareness - Create Policy Agenda - Prioritize Agenda - Enact Policy - Public Evaluation






12. The concept that all people are of equal worth - even if not of equal ability.






13. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was somewhat undermined by racist practices in the real estate market such as _____________ and ______________ - which continued illegally in many areas following passage of the Act.






14. Clause of the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 10) intended to prohibit state governments from modifying contracts made between individuals; interpreted as prohibiting state governments from taking actions that adversely affect property rights.






15. An ideology that advocates limits on government power to address economic and social problems - relying instead on economic markets and individual initiative to address problems like health care and education - while promoting government involvement






16. 14th Amendment is often used to support the right to ____________.






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






18. 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.






19. 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?






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






21. The spread of nuclear weapons to new nations






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






23. Number of Senators elected at large per state -






24. Appointed by Eisenhower - this Supreme court justice who played an important role in the court's stance on the advancement of civil rights.






25. The structure and set of regulations in place to control activity - usually in large organizations and government. it is represented by standardized procedure (rule-following) that dictates the execution of most or all processes within the body - for






26. Spending determined by the number of qualified recipients and their legally determined need is called






27. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






28. In order to win support for ratification of the Constitution - the Federalists had to promise that the first order of business under a new government would be to _______________.






29. A federal tax on imports.






30. 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






31. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






32. ________________ of the Constitution governs the relationships of the states.






33. Multi-interest and often multinational corporations that - under one corporate roof - may manufacture a wide variety of products.






34. Requires reporting of financial information by companies with publicly traded securities






35. Executive check on Legislative Branch.






36. The 1803 case in which the Supreme Court - by declaring a portion of an act of Congress unconstitutional - first firmly set forth and established the power of judicial review.






37. Age requirement for President






38. Theory of democracy in which competition among common interest groups promote ideas to influence politics






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






40. The single biggest item in campaign spending at the presidential level is ___________________.






41. The doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group






42. In 1998 - the Supreme Court struck down the________________ law - declaring it unconstitutional - because Congress did not have the constitutional authority to hand that power to the President.






43. Today the Senate operates with ____ standing and select committees. These select committees - however - are permanent in nature and are treated as standing committees under Senate rules.






44. Committees that pull members from both the house and the senate who meet to discuss major policy issues such as economy and taxation.






45. The 24th amendment banned _____________ - making it harder for states to discriminate against poor and minority voters.






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






47. After hearings are complete - a congressional subcommittee will usually determine a bill's future in final deliberations known as






48. 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






49. 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.






50. Guarantees that citizens cannot be compelled by the government to act in a way that is contrary to their religious beliefs. (ex. Conscientious objection to military service required by the draft is the execution of ______________)