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






2. According to the Constitution - the electors in the Electoral College shall be appointed in a manner to be determined by the






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






4. States that arrestees must be informed of their right to remain silent - that anything they say can be held against them in a court - that they have a right to an attorney and that an attorney will be appointed to them if they cannot afford one.






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






6. In Johnson v. Texas (1989) - the Supreme Court ruled that burning the flag in a manner that does not pose a threat to people or property is allowed as this type of freedom of speech.






7. The proceeding before a judge in which the formal charges of an indictment or information are read to an accused person - who may plead guilty or not guilty.






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






9. Cabinet department oversees nuclear reactors.Established in 1973 in response to the Energy Crisis.






10. Colonies in which the proprietors (who had obtained their patents from the king) named the governors - subject to the king's approval.






11. There is an _____________ relationship between Presidential approval ratings and unemployment.






12. Grants that an accused may not be held in custody without charge - literally 'You shall have the body'.






13. Head of the Supreme Court.






14. The relationship between the total cost of foreign goods imported to this country and sales of U.S. products overseas.






15. A judicial opinion agreed to by a majority of the members of a court. A majority opinion sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.






16. Also known as the Indiana ballot - lists the candidates of each party in a row or column - beside or under the party emblem. In most cases - the voter can make one mark at the top of the column - or pull one lever - and thus vote for all the party's






17. 14th Amendment is often used to support the right to ____________.






18. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 required states in the covered jurisdiction to attain _________________ from the Attorney General before making changes to voting standards - practice - or procedure






19. Several Presidents have been elected without winning the popular vote. As a result - In 1970 and 1979 - Amendments were proposed to disband the ______________ - neither passed.






20. President requires their approval to appoint judges - ambassadors and other high officials.






21. 'lame duck' amendment






22. Court cases that involve relations between individuals and organizations - such as a divorce action - or a suit for damages arising from an automobile accident or for violation of a business contract.






23. States that states may draw reasonable distinctions between the rights of residents and non-residents (ex. In state and out of state tuition)






24. Economists generally agree that the major responsibility for promoting prosperity and full employment falls on ________________.






25. 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.






26. This article of the Constitution establishes the Executive Branch.






27. Powers of the national government that flow from its enumerated powers and the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution.






28. Established the Federal Reserve Bank - responsible for conducting the nation's monetary policy - maintaining the stability of the financial system - supervising and regulating banking institutions - and protecting the credit rights of consumers - and






29. A meeting of party leaders to select candidates - elect convention delegates - etc






30. During the 1800's and early 1900's - some state and local party committees became ________________ dominating party activities. Committee members would promise new recruits money - jobs - and other benefits for joining and voting the straight party t






31. In charge of state's legal business. provide advice to other state official and represents the state in court if the state is involved in a lawsuit






32. The constitutional requirement (in article II - sec 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws






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






34. 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






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






36. The strongest factor contributing to an individual's political socialization tends to be






37. Tips the balance between two leading candidates by attracting a minority of voters who otherwise might have voted for one of the leading candidates.






38. The issue of slavery split the Democratic Party into what two factions?






39. Representing - characterized by - or including members from two parties or factions






40. Population migration patterns since the second World War have increased the power of _____________.






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






42. 1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.






43. Loose - competitive relationships among policy experts - interest groups - congressional committees - and federal agencies. Many observers argue that these have replaced iron triangles.






44. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






45. In lieu of an indictment - the state prosecutor may file a _______________ charging the person with a crime.






46. Type of interest group represented in Washington by another individual or organization. (Ex. Ford Motor Company pays a lobbyist in Washington to represent them.)






47. 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.






48. A group of people who try to influence policy agendas and whose ultimate goal is to run the government by getting their favorite candidates elected.






49. Direct oral or written speech directed at a specific individual or group






50. A federal program established in 1965 to provide hospital and medical services to older people through the Social Security system.