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. Spending by the national committees of the political parties to support the election of congressional candidates is known as






2. During the 1800's and early 1900's - some state and local party committees became ________________ dominating party activities. Committee members would promise new recruits money - jobs - and other benefits for joining and voting the straight party t






3. Law enacted by Congress - or by state legislatures or local legislative bodies.






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






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






6. Congress defined the steps for the creation and admission of new states. It forbade slavery while the region remained a territory although citizens could legalize it. First congress would appoint a territorial governor and judges. Second as soon as 5






7. 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.






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






9. An interest group organization that represents a specific group of people (Ex. NAACP - AARP)






10. 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






11. Cabinet department responsible for the management of public lands - wildlife - natural resources - and Native American affairs. Established in 1849






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






13. Legislative house whose membership was intended to represent the state.






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






15. Loose - competitive relationships among policy experts - interest groups - congressional committees - and federal agencies. Many observers argue that these have replaced iron triangles.






16. Economists generally agree that the major responsibility for promoting prosperity and full employment falls on ________________.






17. 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.






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






19. The separation of people by race.






20. Powers of government exercised independently by both the federal and state governments - such as the power to tax.






21. The process through which an individual acquires a set of political attitudes and forms opinions about political and social issues.






22. Overall spending targets set by the Congress.






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






24. Colonies controlled by the British king through governors appointed by him and through the king's veto power over colonial laws.






25. (1945-1991) The period after the Second World War marked by rivalry and tension between the two nuclear superpowers - the United States and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ended when the Soviet government collapsed in 1991.






26. Political party lead by Andrew Jackson from 1828 to 1856. Campaigned against strong central government and fought to end elitism.






27. Bills passed by Congress to pay for the spending it has authorized.






28. Article VII of the Constitution outlines the process of ____________________.






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






30. 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.






31. A law passed by Congress in 1973 in an effort to set a time limit on the use of combat forces abroad by a president.






32. A form of city government under which a council - usually elected on a nonpartisan ticket - hires a professional city manager - who runs the city government and has power to hire and fire officials.






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






34. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






35. The policy established after the Second World War that America must take an active leadership role in world affairs






36. The strongest factor contributing to an individual's political socialization tends to be






37. 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.






38. The federal department that administers programs that provide services to farmers (including research and soil conservation and efforts to stabilize the farming economy)






39. This 1967 Supreme Court case prohibited illegal eavesdropping and extending the zone of privacy to include the home - office - person - and immediate public arena.






40. In the area of foreign affairs - _______________ often have the advantage because






41. The principle that the government - as provided in the Fifth Amendment - can take property for 'public use' with 'just compensation' to the owners.






42. An election in which voters in a jurisdiction select candidates for a subsequent election. In other words - one means by which a political party nominate candidates for the following general election.s






43. This house committee is responsible for Supervising the authority of the federal government to borrow money - Raising the revenue required to finance the federal government by levying taxes - Overseeing Social Security and other social insurance prog






44. A device that allows the House of Representatives to conduct its business with fewer restrictions on debate and a quorum of only 100 members.






45. Presides over any impeachment trial.






46. Serious crimes - such as murder - arson - or rape.






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






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






49. Formed as a third party on the issue of slavery by many former Whigs in the 1850's. Anti-slavery platform. Supported by farmers - laborers - and newly-freed blacks.






50. Signed the executive order banning segregation in the armed forces.