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






2. In some cases where blicity too much publicity surrounds a trial - courts have granted _______________ to help ensure a fair trial. One example is the trial of Timothy McVeigh for the Oklahoma City Bombing.






3. 1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.






4. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






5. This type of government suits a large country with a diverse population






6. Responsibilities include: Coordinating the nation's intelligence activities and Evaluating and disseminating intelligence that affects national security






7. Beginning with the election of Abraham Lincoln - the period between 1860 and the Great Depression was dominated by this political party.






8. A legislature with only one house.






9. Powers of government that the national government may exercise simply because it exists as a government - such as the right to conduct foreign relations.






10. A place of work in which only union members may be hired.






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






12. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to release these until a majority of polling places had closed in each state






13. To an extent - the press and the government have a relationship that is _______________ and mutually dependent.






14. This term refers to the gain in the polls that a candidate often enjoys after a national convention






15. The principle of civilian control of the military - based on the clear constitutional power of the president as supreme commander of the armed forces.






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. Walter DeVries and Lance Tarrance have concluded that in many elections the outcome is determined by ______________.






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






19. This contraversial legal technicality intended to protect civil liberties has allowed criminals to remain free when the courts refuse to admit evidence that may have been obtained illegally.






20. In states using primaries - the most common form of primary election is the ___________ primary.






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






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






23. 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.






24. A political group organized under section 527 of the IRS code that may accept and spend unlimited amounts of money on election activities so long as they are not spent on broadcast ads run in the last 30 days before a primary or 60 days before a gene






25. An official document - published every weekday - which lists the new and proposed regulations of executive departments and regulatory agencies.






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






27. The total amount of money that the United States owes to its creditors.






28. This act prohibited Discrimination because of race - color - sex - religion - or national origin by employers or labor unions; The adoption by voting registrars of different standards for black and white applicants; and Racial or religious discrimina






29. Judicial Check on Legislative Branch. Not specifically outlined in the Constitution - but established in the case of Marbury v. Madison through the application of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI.






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






31. 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.






32. A writ designed to protect against illegal imprisonment by requiring that a person who is detained be brought before a judge for investigation.






33. The FCC's equal time policy applies to _____________.






34. These party members are highly involved in the electoral process. Donate funds to party and candidates - demand a voice in state party agendas and tend to have a strong belief in their party's ideology.






35. This house committee is responsible for Supervising the authority of the federal government to borrow money - Raising the revenue required to finance the federal government by levying taxes - Overseeing Social Security and other social insurance prog






36. First proposed in 1789 - this amendment passed in 1992 prohibits Congress from raising their own pay. Pay raises may not take affect until the beginning of the next term.






37. Legislature bills that affect all citizens.






38. This called for three-fifths of all slaves in a state were counted for purposes of apportioning representation in the House of Representatives.






39. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






40. 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






41. 3 person executive panel responsible for helping the President develop an economic plan for the nation.






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. The house armed services and foreign affairs committees each have ___ subcommittees.






44. 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.






45. Baby boomers - women - and voters with higher levels of education tend to have a ____________ voter turnout.






46. Concept of the British statesman Edmund Burke that legislators should act according to their own consciences.






47. 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.






48. This rule established by US v. Leon (1984) angered civil liberties groups by allowing exception to the Exclusionary Rule in instances where probably cause may not fully exist.






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






50. Smith v. Allwight (1994) was the first vase in which the Supreme Court upheld the voting rights of _____________ in state primary elections.