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. Dayton Board of Education v. Brinkman (1979) upheld that bussing programs were an acceptable way to enforce ______________________.






2. 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.






3. This body of government has final authority on the meaning of the Constitution.






4. _____________ 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.






5. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal






6. The 15th Amendment - also know as _________________ - was intended to help recently freed blacks from unconstitutional state laws designed to circumvent federal laws.






7. Courts of original jurisdiction in federal crimes - civil suits under federal law - civil suits between citizens of different states where the amount in question exceeds $50 -000 - bankruptcy proceedings - cases involving some federal administrative






8. Finding that enough evidence exists to warrant a criminal trial.






9. 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.






10. An individual who does not join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






11. Formerly known as the Anti-Federalist - this party lead by Thomas Jefferson advocated states rights pressing the causes of the common people and agrarian interest. Dominated the political arena until the Civil War.






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






13. Established the Federal Reserve Bank - responsible for conducting the nation's monetary policy - maintaining the stability of the financial system - supervising and regulating banking institutions - and protecting the credit rights of consumers - and






14. Devolutionary system in which the national government returns tax dollars to the state and local governments primarily in the form of block grants.






15. Repealed by the 21st Amendment - this Amendment prohibited alcohol.






16. 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






17. Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has less discretion over how the recipient spends the money.






18. Established in 1947 as a combined Department of War and Navy.






19. The pursuit and exercise of power.






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






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






22. The vote cast by a person who does not like either candidate and so votes for the less objectionable of the two - putting a clothespin over his nose to keep out the unpleasant stench






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






24. Minimum number of voters per state in the Electoral College.






25. A White House council created under the National Security Act of 1947 to advise the president and help coordinate American military and foreign policy.






26. Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated.






27. Prohibits citizens of one state or foreign country from suing another state.






28. In WV State BOE v Barnette (1943) - the Supreme Court ruled that compelling citizens to salute the flag violates the principles of a free society - upholding which 1st Amendment rights?






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






30. Presides over the Senate without voting privileges except in the case of a tie.






31. 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.






32. 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






33. In 1872 - Susan B Anthony was arrested in Rochester - New York for






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






35. What occurs when government adopts a public policy that provides - or distributes - benefits to people or groups.






36. The pursuit and exercise of power






37. These voters tend to have a high voter turnout because of their strong since of civic duty due to growing up during an era of political and civil unrest.






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






39. 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.






40. 1944 case established that as as long as a person accepted their beliefs in good faith that it is not the government's authority to determine whether those beliefs are valid.






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






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






43. These candidates win re-election to the House 80-90% of the time.






44. The attitudes and actions of people that sustain and buttress the political system at all levels and allows the political system to continue to work.






45. Passed in 1883 - it created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.






46. The belief that one is effective when participating in politics - for example that the government will respond to one's demands






47. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






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






49. 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






50. If significant amendments are made to a bill during committee - the bill is sometimes given a new number as a _______________.