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 presidential campaigns - federal matching funds are provided to candidates who ______________.






2. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






3. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the concept of privacy included the right to a legal abortion?






4. 1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.






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






6. ____________ often influence political appointments in an effort to influence bureaucracy.






7. The rules and regulations made and applied by federal regulatory agencies and commissions.






8. Formerly known as the Anti-Federalist - this party lead by Thomas Jefferson advocated states rights pressing the causes of the common people and agrarian interest. Dominated the political arena until the Civil War.






9. This 1964 case established strict standards for proving slander and libel - court must prove intent of malice on the part of the publisher.






10. 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






11. A provision of law in which Congress asserts the power to nullify actions of the executive branch. In 1983 the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional - but Congress continued to pass laws containing such provisions.






12. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






13. Concurrent resolution - adopted by both Houses of Congress - that sets forth a Congressional budget plan for the budget year and at least four out-years.






14. In the area of foreign affairs - _______________ often have the advantage because






15. 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.






16. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal






17. Practice by which voters of one party crossing over and voting in the primary of another party - effectively allowing a party to help choose its opposition's candidate.






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






19. Voting based on looking back and making judgments about the way things have gone and the kind of government experienced during a political leader's time in office.






20. Constitutional Article that establishes the Judicial Branch.






21. The belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics






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






23. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






24. The 1st Amendment states that government cannot issue ______________ - censoring publications before they are published.






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






26. The vagueness of this phrase has allowed juries to exclude specific genders or races in order to affect the outcome of the verdict.






27. An immigrant who wished to become a citizen may be naturalized after living in the US for ___ years.






28. The principle - established by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1819 in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland - that the Constitution must be interpreted flexibly to meet changing conditions.






29. The federal department that administers programs that provide services to farmers (including research and soil conservation and efforts to stabilize the farming economy)






30. 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.






31. PACs may donate a ______________ amount of indirect or in-kind donations to a campaign. (Ex. placing ads to support their candidate)






32. Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.






33. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.






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






35. 1946 Act requiring bureaucratic agencies to appeal to the affected parties before adopting new policies. Legislative check on Bureaucracy.






36. A plan to provide billions of dollars of American aid to Western Europe to speed its economic and social recovery after the Second World War.






37. Powers of government that are specifically granted to the three branches of the federal government under the Constitution.






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






39. The pursuit and exercise of power






40. Provisions tacked on to a piece of legislation that are not relevant to the bill.






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






42. 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.






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. What occurs when government adopts a public policy that provides - or distributes - benefits to people or groups.






45. A course of action decided upon by a government






46. 1917 Reincarnation of the Sedition Act during WWI






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






48. In 1987 - the FCC abandoned the fairness doctrine on the grounds that it unconstitutionally restricted the ______________ rights of broadcasters.






49. Finding that enough evidence exists to warrant a criminal trial.






50. High School Dropouts - Blacks - Hispanics - Recent immigrants - and People under 25 or over 75 tend to have a _________ voter turnout.