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. A meeting of party leaders to select candidates - elect convention delegates - etc






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






3. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the concept of privacy included the right to a legal abortion?






4. Concept of government by the people in which everyone is free to vote - but normally whoever gets the most votes wins the election and represents all the people - including those who voted for the losing candidate.






5. A ruling by the Supreme Court in 1857






6. Laws on Schools - Marriage - and owning property;Licensee Lawyers - Doctors - and Teachers.






7. New Jersey v. TLO (1985) established that school authorities may search students without _____________ as long as they are reasonable.






8. Term limit for House of Representatives.






9. Permitted court authorized wire-tapping and bugging by federal - state - and local authorities and use of such evidence in trial. Later reversed by the Supreme Court based on 4th Amendment rights.






10. 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






11. 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






12. Appointed by Eisenhower - this Supreme court justice who played an important role in the court's stance on the advancement of civil rights.






13. Largest interest group in the US.






14. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






15. The practice of victorious politicians to reward their followers with jobs. Also known as the spoils system.






16. A federal program established in 1965 to provide hospital and medical services to older people through the Social Security system.






17. The vagueness of this phrase has allowed juries to exclude specific genders or races in order to affect the outcome of the verdict.






18. The constitutional requirement (in article II - sec 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws






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






20. The proceeding before a judge in which the formal charges of an indictment or information are read to an accused person - who may plead guilty or not guilty.






21. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






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






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






24. This may be done by a national constitutional convention called by Congress on the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures OR By the passage of a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress






25. The provisions of the Constitution that divide power among three constitutionally equal and independent branches of government






26. Number of years a President must reside in the US prior to taking office






27. Judges in Legislative Courts serve _______ terms and do not require impeachment.






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






29. The pursuit and exercise of power






30. States that states may draw reasonable distinctions between the rights of residents and non-residents (ex. In state and out of state tuition)






31. Author of The Spirit of the Laws advocating balance of power in politics with liberty is dependant upon a separation of the judicial - legislative - and executive branches of government.






32. Senators are re-elected every ___ years with 1/3 of the Senate being up for election every 2 years.






33. The fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government - such as freedom of speech - religion - press - and assembly.






34. When neither political party is dominant.






35. A loose grouping of people and organizations who seek to influence policy formation.






36. The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents - such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.






37. Cabinet department oversees nuclear reactors.Established in 1973 in response to the Energy Crisis.






38. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






39. An economic system of free enterprise with private ownership of the means of production.






40. Elections in which the majority party (according to party identification) is defeated in a temporary reversal.






41. A form of city government under which power is divided between a mayor and an elected city council.






42. Groups whose views serve as guidelines to an individual's opinion. See also primary groups and secondary groups.






43. Makes sure that funds are used safely and wisely. They oversee the state's financial records






44. Which form of registration prevails in all but a few states?






45. The issuance of this document by a judge requires probably cause and must be worded so as to allow for the search and seizure of specific evidence.






46. A compulsory national insurance program - financed by taxes on employers and employees. The insurance falls into four categories: old-age and survivors insurance - disability insurance - Medicare - and unemployment insurance.






47. ______________________is responsible for the management of the federal debt and the printing of currency. It is the major fiscal policy agency.






48. If 10 days do not remain in session and the president does not sign an act of Congress - the bill __________.






49. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






50. Included are Agriculture - Nutrition - and Forestry; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking - Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce - Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Health - Education -