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. 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 ______________)






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






3. Number of years a Senator must reside in the US prior to taking office






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






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






6. 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.






7. Constitutionally required address by the President typically given in a joint session of Congress.






8. Which powers of the national government flow from its enumerated powers and from the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution?






9. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






10. Since 1960 - there has been a general trend of ______________ participation in elections.






11. Eisenhower's philosophy of being liberal in all things human and being conservative with all things fiscal. Appealed to both Republicans and Democrats.






12. Compromise between the large states and small states that established the bicameral Legislature consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Also included 3/5 compromise on the status of slaves in representation.






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






14. The sum of the goals - decisions - and actions that govern a nation's relations with the rest of the world.






15. The party-column ballot - or Indiana ballot - encourages _______________.






16. Once the Supreme Court justices have agreed to hear an appeal - they issue a _________________.






17. In 1943 - The Supreme Court upheld the Jehovah's Witnesses right to refrain from saluting the American flag based on their right to _____________.






18. The gap between the government's income and outlays.






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






20. This amendment includes the due process clause - the equal protection clause - and gave rights to former slaves.






21. Included are Agriculture - Nutrition - and Forestry; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking - Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce - Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Health - Education -






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






23. Method by which federal court judges may lose their position.






24. Elections that reflect the basic party identification of the voters.






25. _____________ was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants (most notably the Irish) rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s.






26. A system in which the national government sets requirements that are then implemented by state and local governments.






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






28. According to this nineteenth-century British peer and historian - 'power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'






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






30. A government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc.






31. Procedure typically requiring 3/5 vote of the entire Senate to end a filibuster.






32. A federal tax on imports.






33. Laws on Schools - Marriage - and owning property;Licensee Lawyers - Doctors - and Teachers.






34. In Sweatt v. Painter (1950) - The Supreme Court upheld that ___________________ was inherently not the case as is applied to the University of Texas Law School.






35. A philosophy that the Supreme Court should avoid constitutional questions when possible and uphold acts of Congress unless they clearly violate a specific section of the Constitution.






36. In the view of W. Lance Bennett - the people who hold and express opinions are constantly changing - as are the issues and conditions to which the public responds. As a result - Bennett suggests that public opinion is______________.






37. Government regulation of the economy through its control over taxes and government spending. Controlled by the Department of Treasury.






38. Responsible for assigning bills to committee in the Senate.






39. In charge of all state funds. Supervises the collection of taxes and payment of state's bill






40. 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.






41. 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.






42. A term popularized by sociologist Floyd Hunter to describe the community leaders who he said determined policy in Atlanta - Georgia. More broadly - the term is used to describe 'power elites' generally.






43. The body composed of electors from the 50 states who formally have the power to elect the president and vice president of the United States. Each state has a number of electors and electoral votes equal to its number of senators and representatives i






44. 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.






45. A provision of the Federal Communications Act that requires broadcasters to provide the same amount of exposure to all legally qualified political candidates.






46. Representatives serve ____ year terms






47. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






48. 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.






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






50. Impact elections by siphoning off votes from major parties spoiling a party's chance in a close race.