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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. Powers specifically outlined in the Constitution as assigned to one branch of government.






2. Important during the Revolution - these bodies organized by the local governments of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution for the purposes of coordinating written communication outside of the colony.






3. Between conventions - the governing body of a major political party. Members of this group are chosen in the states and formally elected by the party






4. Tests of a voter's ability to read and write - which were often used to keep recent immigrants and blacks from voting.






5. ___________ vote in both the House and Senate may override a Presidential veto of legislation.






6. Court cases that involve relations between individuals and organizations - such as a divorce action - or a suit for damages arising from an automobile accident or for violation of a business contract.






7. Cabinet department that includes the FAA and the National Hwy Traffic Safety Administration. Established in 1966.






8. Plan that proposed bicameral legislature where states were to have representation based on size in both houses.






9. The demands of and supports for a political system






10. A policy of avoiding foreign involvement.






11. A method available in most states that allows voters - in effect - to 'veto' a bill passed by the legislature or to accept or reject a proposal - such as a bond issue - made by a government agency.






12. Representatives serve ____ year terms






13. In his historic decision in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Chief Justice Marshall established the principle of _____________.






14. 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.






15. Legislature bills that affect only a small group of citizens.






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






17. 1946 Act requiring bureaucratic agencies to appeal to the affected parties before adopting new policies. Legislative check on Bureaucracy.






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






19. The power of some municipalities to modify their charters and run their affairs without approval by the state legislature.






20. 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.






21. The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution - setting forth the general principles of American government and beginning with the words - 'We the people of the United States - in order to form a more perfect union. ...'






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






23. The primary purpose of _______________consolidate the nation's disability laws and provide for strong federal enforcement of a strengthened disability rights mandate






24. 3 person executive panel responsible for helping the President develop an economic plan for the nation.






25. In the mid-term elections following a President's inauguration - his party tends to ___________ seats in Congress.






26. After a bill is assigned to a committee - the next step is typically a ______________.






27. 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.






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






29. 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.






30. Tips the balance between two leading candidates by attracting a minority of voters who otherwise might have voted for one of the leading candidates.






31. The response of the rest of society to actions by the authorities.






32. After a bill has passed both the House and Senate - it goes to _________________ where any differences between the house bill and the senate bill are resolved before sending to the President for signature






33. The Democrats control over politics during the 20th century ended with this President's unpopular handling of the Vietnam War.






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






35. A group of writers - journalists - and critics who exposed corporate malfeasance and political corruption in the first decade of the 20th century.






36. The absent colony at the 2nd Continental Congress.






37. A policy that takes something away from one person and gives it to someone else -






38. Form of government in which the people are sovereign but their power is exercised by their elected representatives.






39. 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






40. Members of the ______________ committee of a political party work to maintain influence during non election years through congressional campaign committees.






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






42. The concentration of economic power in the hands of a relatively few large companies.






43. Head of the Supreme Court.






44. Amendment that delegated the election of Senators to popular vote.






45. Programs mandated by law and not subject to annual review by Congress or the president.






46. 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______________.






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






48. A 1972 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union limiting the number of defensive missiles each country could build. In 2001 President George W. Bush withdrew the United States from the treaty.






49. The right of the Supreme Court - under the Constitution - to hear certain kinds of cases directly - such as cases involving foreign diplomats - or cases in which one of the 50 states is a party.






50. Although camera are allowed in most trial courts - they are banned from ______________.






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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