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. Includes expressive conduct/assembly/actions and symbolic behavior (ex. Picketing or burning the flag) Based on our country history of symbolic acts such as the Boston Tea Party - courts almost always uphold symbolic acts of speech unless they are cr






2. A system of voter registration in which voters must register only once in their district.






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






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






5. The 23rd Amendment guaranteed voting rights to whom?






6. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






7. A group of people - chosen by poll-takers - that is representative of the universe that is being polled.






8. Libel - obscenity - fighting words - and commercial speech - which are not entitled to constitutional protection in all circumstances.






9. First governing document of the Plymouth Colony establishing freedom of religion.






10. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






11. This author of Leviathon posited that government is necessary because people are generally in a state of conflict.






12. The formal source of all authority in each major political party. It nominates the party candidates for president and vice president - writes a platform - settles disputes - writes rules - and elects the members of the national committee.






13. An economic system in which the factors of production are owned by the publicand operate for the welfare of all.






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






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






16. The Supreme Court holds _____________ jurisdiction in cases against the US - ambassadors - public ministers - and consuls.






17. In a 1943 case - the Supreme Court upheld the right to refuse to salute the American flag on the basis of the constitutional guarantee of _________________.






18. The period of time after the election of FDR until the Vietnam War was dominated by the Democratic Party and know as the __________________ Era.






19. 1925 Supreme Court case overturned Baron v. Baltimore and applied the Bill of Rights to states.






20. Number of years a Representative must reside in the US prior to taking office






21. In 1998 - the Supreme Court struck down the________________ law - declaring it unconstitutional - because Congress did not have the constitutional authority to hand that power to the President.






22. Most likely to board a foreign ship suspected of drug trafficking at a U.S. port






23. There is an _____________ relationship between Presidential approval ratings and unemployment.






24. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






25. Approximately 33% of American voters identify themselves as _______________ party.






26. _____________ are expected to specialize in a few policy areas rather than claim expertise in the whole range of legislative concerns






27. In a political campaign - the surest way of reaching the largest number of voters is usually _____________.






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






29. Grants that an accused may not be held in custody without charge - literally 'You shall have the body'.






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






31. The yearly value of goods and services produced within a country.






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






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






34. _____________ is responsible for monetary policy.






35. Constitutional protection of the accused to not be tried for the same crime twice.






36. According to the Speedy Trial Act of 1974 - federal trials must commence within _______ days of arrest with the exception of delay for mental health testing of the defendant and illness of the defendant or key witness.






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






38. Representatives serve ____ year terms






39. Southern whites prevented blacks from ____________ through use of poll taxes - literacy tests and intimidation tactics after the Civil War.






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






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






42. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: diversity/diffusion of power - more access points for political participation - fostering of experimentation and innovation - and allowing local governments to manage local problems effectively






43. The case of Gregg v. Georgia set the precedent for a ________________ system in which guilt and sentencing and tried separately.






44. Polls taken as people leave voting places. In the past - television networks sometimes used these polls to predict election outcomes before the polls close. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to project the winner in a state until the major






45. Today the South is is a two-party battleground - in which the ______________ often have the upper hand






46. A Latin phrase meaning 'stand by past decisions -' a principle that judges often use in deciding cases. Ruling based on precedents.






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






48. In an election with more than 2 options - the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number - but less that half of the votes.






49. Defamation by written or printed words - pictures - or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.






50. 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.