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. The spread of nuclear weapons to more nations.






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






3. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.






4. This type of government suits a large country with a diverse population






5. Federal grants in which the recipient has little discretion over how the money is spent. The national government sets narrowly defined rules for use of funds and often requires the states or local governments to provide matching funds. These grants a






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






7. 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.






8. A public policy that takes something away from one person or group and gives it to another person or group.






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






10. 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.






11. These party members take active non-leadership roles such as working polls or contributing money to campaigns. Tend to compromise on important issues and are mostly concerned about winning elections.






12. The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 restructured the number of ______________ in both the House and Senate.






13. A broadly based coalition that attempts to gain control of the government by winning elections in order to exercise power and reward its members.






14. These dissenting Republicans won 17% of the popular vote in 1924 on a platform for public control of national resources and railways - tax reductions - and changes to the staff of the executive department


15. Independent agencies governed by an appointed and confirmed commission. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration - Environmental Protection Agency - and the Securities and Exchange Commission.






16. 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.






17. The house armed services and foreign affairs committees each have ___ subcommittees.






18. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and cooperate.






19. The total amount of money that the United States owes to its creditors.






20. Guarantees the right to bare arms.






21. Government employees who publicly expose evidence of official waste or corruption that they have learned about in the course of their duties.






22. Theory of democracy in which competition among common interest groups promote ideas to influence politics






23. 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.






24. An unwritten custom by which individual senators who belong to the same political party as the president exercise an informal veto power over presidential appointments in their states.






25. While these voters have traditionally supported the Democrats - some have begun to support Republicans in light of the Democrats liberal policies on abortion.






26. An annual meeting held in the spring in many New England towns - at which the townspeople come together to elect a board of selectmen and to discuss local policy questions. It has become a symbol of participatory democracy.






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






28. A judicial opinion agreed to by a majority of the members of a court. A majority opinion sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.






29. Executive Check on the Legislative Branch.






30. A nation's set of fundamental beliefs about how government and politics should be conducted.






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






32. 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






33. Lobbyists for special interest groups have found ____________________ to be the most direct and effective method to secure their objectives in Congress.






34. James Madison proposed to deal with the threat of political factions by ______________________.






35. 1946 Act requiring bureaucratic agencies to appeal to the affected parties before adopting new policies. Legislative check on Bureaucracy.






36. Concurrent resolution - adopted by both Houses of Congress - that sets forth a Congressional budget plan for the budget year and at least four out-years.






37. 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. ...'






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






39. A policy of avoiding foreign involvement.






40. Overall spending targets set by the Congress.






41. 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






42. The philosophy that government should intervene as little as possible in economic affairs.






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






44. A system of voter registration in which voters must register every year or at other stated intervals.






45. A primary in which any registered voter is able to vote for candidates from more than one party. A voter - for example - may vote for a Democrat for U.S. senator and for a Republican for governor. In 2000 - the Supreme Court struck down the blanket p






46. 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






47. _____________ 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.






48. Guarantees that citizens cannot be compelled by the government to act in a way that is contrary to their religious beliefs. (ex. Conscientious objection to military service required by the draft is the execution of ______________)






49. Raise Public Awareness - Create Policy Agenda - Prioritize Agenda - Enact Policy - Public Evaluation






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