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. In _______________ cases such as Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) - the Supreme Court has upheld that while Affirmative action policies are legal - race and gender cannot be the only determining factors.






2. Define US Citizenship as any person born or naturalized in the United States.






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






4. The only instance in which the government can prohibit religious activities






5. Committees appointed for investigative or crisis situations.






6. This influential English document refuted divine right of monarchy and made monarchs subject to laws and responsible for crimes






7. In Woodson v. North Carolina - the Supreme Court struck down mandatory sentencing of capital punishment as ______________________ because it does not allow for any discretion.






8. This House committee is responsible for all taxes - tariffs - and other revenue raising measures in addition to social security - child support - Medicare - foster care - and unemployment.






9. Federal grants in which the recipient has little discretion over how the money is spent. The national government sets narrowly defined rules for use of funds and often requires the states or local governments to provide matching funds. These grants a






10. This was amended in 1985 to prohibit vote dilution without requiring the proof of discriminatory purpose demanded by the original Act.






11. The power to tax is an example of _______________ powers.






12. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: diversity/diffusion of power - more access points for political participation - fostering of experimentation and innovation - and allowing local governments to manage local problems effectively






13. A law passed by Congress in 1973 in an effort to set a time limit on the use of combat forces abroad by a president.






14. The practice of victorious politicians to reward their followers with jobs. Also known as the spoils system.






15. American politics is dominated by a small ___________ who is responsible for most of the important policy decisions






16. California measure designed to deny welfare and other benefits to illegal aliens. Overwhelmingly passed the popular vote - but overturned in federal court because it extending beyond the bounds of state rights to attempt to control immigration.






17. The individuals - institutions - and processes that make the rules for society and possess the power to enforce them.






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






19. Germany - Switzerland - and India are examples of countries with a _______________ system of government.






20. 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






21. 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






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






23. People may vote in a party's primary only if they are registered members of that party. Independents cannot participate. Note that because some political parties name themselves independent - the term 'non-partisan' often replaces 'independent' when






24. The European political philosophers whose writings influenced the concepts of liberty and government contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution belonged to the intellectual and cultural movement known as






25. The action - or actions - taken by government to carry out a policy.






26. A jury of 6 to 12 persons who determine guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action






27. This author was highly influential on Thomas Jefferson - rejecting divine right - proposing that government is a social contract requiring the consent of the govern and establishing the concept of self-evident rights of life - liberty - and property.






28. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






29. (1945-1991) The period after the Second World War marked by rivalry and tension between the two nuclear superpowers - the United States and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ended when the Soviet government collapsed in 1991.






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






31. The Articles of Confederation established a ________________ legislature.






32. 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.






33. Its the responsibility of ___________ committees of a political party to solidify the party within each state and organize primary elections






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






35. This 1957 judgement prohibited pornography material as utterly without redeeming social significance - later reversed in Miller v. California






36. 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.






37. Article I - Section 8 - of the Constitution - which allows Congress to make all laws that are 'necessary and proper' to carry out the powers of the Constitution.






38. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






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






40. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






41. Limitations on this freedom including prohibition of defamation and obscenity - limitation on commercial speech - and restriction of inciting words that may cause immediate danger.






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






43. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be ___________.






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






45. 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.






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






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






48. The formal source of all authority in each major political party. It nominates the party candidates for president and vice president - writes a platform - settles disputes - writes rules - and elects the members of the national committee.






49. There are 11 circuit ____________________ who have no original jurisdiction.






50. Elections that may lead to a basic shift in the party identification of the electorate.