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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. An extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion






2. A system in which national and state governments are competitors with distinct powers. This system was prominent in the US from the during the 19th century until 1937.






3. The federal fiscal year begins ___________.






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






5. _____________ is responsible for monetary policy.






6. Government branch established in Article I of the Constitution.






7. The only amendments to be ratified through the process of 'ratifying conventions -' not a vote in the state legislatures






8. 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.






9. This 1972 Supreme Court case struck down all state laws allowing the death penalty stating that they allowed for too much discretion on the part of the judge and jury resulting in lack of consistent administration of the penalty.






10. 1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.






11. Programs are designed to give preferential access to education - employment - health care - or social welfare to groups of people - especially minorities and women - who have historically been discriminated against.






12. At one time - the press generally refrained from publishing personal information that would be damaging. FDR - Eisenhower - and JFK all benefited from this reluctance to engage in _____________________. However - the American publics appetite for sen






13. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






14. 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






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






16. 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






17. New Jersey v. TLO (1985) established that school authorities may search students without _____________ as long as they are reasonable.






18. In the 1925 Gitlow case - the Supreme Court began a process of ______________ of the Bill of Rights to the states.






19. The Medicaid and Food Stamp programs are examples of two very large






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






21. 1976 Law requiring all governmental agency meetings to be open to the public unless classified information will be discussed.






22. In the 1990 case OR State Employment Division v. Smith 1990 - the Supreme court allowed the state to fire employees who use peyote during native American religious ceremonies because it is in violation of drug laws. In this case - which clause of the






23. This event was an important factor in creating the climate for a new Constitution.

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24. The 19th Century __________ party platform was opposed to the spread of slavery - promoted preservation of the union - supported the abolition of slavery - and promoted post civil was reconstruction.






25. Literally meaning 'right of soil' - confers citizenship by place of birth.






26. An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government - promoting a free market economy - a non-interventionist foreign policy - and an absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres.






27. The belief that all people possess certain basic rights that may not be abridged by government.






28. A study of Bennington College students in the 1930s illustrated that the influence of the family on political attitudes tends to ______________ as they grow older and come into contact with other groups.






29. As part of the negotiations concerning the Constitution - the South fought for and won an agreement forbidding the imposition of _______________.






30. 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 -






31. 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.






32. 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.






33. Largest interest group in the US.






34. Voters in a political district - or supporters of an elected official; or interest groups or client groups that are either directly regulated by the bureaucracy or vitally affected by its decisions.






35. Number of justices of the Supreme Court.






36. 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.






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






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






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






40. Presides over any impeachment trial.






41. The spread of nuclear weapons to new nations






42. The separation of people by race.






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






44. While both Asian and Hispanic immigrants experience various types of discrimination - Hispanic immigrants are more likely to experience economic discrimination. This explains why most Hispanics identify with the ____________ party - while Asians do n






45. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.






46. The responsibility of the President to appoint federal judges when vacancies occur on the bench is referred to as






47. Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial.






48. A term often used to describe the economic and political ties between the military establishment and the defense-aerospace industry.






49. The practice under which victorious politicians reward their followers with jobs.






50. Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.







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