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. Voters tendency to identify with a party that shares their views on important issues ignoring the party's stance on issues they deem less important. to be life-long unless there is a major change in the party's platform. 2. Influenced by ra






2. Clause of the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 10) intended to prohibit state governments from modifying contracts made between individuals; interpreted as prohibiting state governments from taking actions that adversely affect property rights.






3. Representing - characterized by - or including members from two parties or factions






4. In _______________ cases such as Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) - the Supreme Court has upheld that while Affirmative action policies are legal - race and gender cannot be the only determining factors.






5. The ______________________ were formed to unite the colonists against Britain.






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






7. Defamation by oral utterance rather than by writing - pictures






8. A tactic in which PACs collect contributions from like-minded individuals and present them to a candidate or political party as a 'bundle -' thus increasing the PAC's influence.






9. The kinds of cases that a court has the authority to decide.






10. Method by which federal court judges may lose their position.






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 Repealed by the 21st Amendment - this Amendment prohibited alcohol.






12. In 1978 - the Supreme Court - in the 'seven dirty words' case - ruled that the government has the right to prohibit the broadcasting of _______________.






13. Germany - Switzerland - and India are examples of countries with a _______________ system of government.






14. This 1972 Supreme Court case struck down all state laws allowing the death penalty stating that they allowed for too much discretion on the part of the judge and jury resulting in lack of consistent administration of the penalty.






15. To negotiate a complex and politically sensitive trade treaty - a President will often






16. Which committee assignments would confer the most power and influence on members of the Senate?






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






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. Committees created by Congress to conduct special investigations. Although normally temporary - some become - in effect - permanent.






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






21. Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees - task forces - and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.






22. Direct oral or written speech directed at a specific individual or group






23. The way things actually are.






24. Process by which citizens propose an amendment by petition.






25. The ruling in this case provided that the government must prove a threat to national security in order to impose prior restraint.






26. Under this governing document - national government lacked authority to set up tariffs - regulate commerce - levy taxes - control international relations - establish common currency






27. The amount of money available when the government's income is greater than what it spends in a fiscal year.






28. A relaxation of international tensions.






29. ____________________ define Congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court.






30. Private groups that attempt to influence the government to respond to the shared attitudes of their members.






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






32. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






33. 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. ...'






34. Agencies that were at one time semi-autonomous but that through legislation have been placed under presidential control since 1945.






35. These party members tend to be ideologues who put issues ahead of winning elections and withhold support from candidates who do not share their stance on issues. Very active in special interest groups and caucuses within the party. Willing to break a






36. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






37. Senators have a __________ rate of re-election than Representatives primarily because of their larger constituency and lack of direct involvement with them.






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






39. Guarantees the right to bare arms.






40. Number of justices of the Supreme Court.






41. The 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act banned contributions of soft money to______________.






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






43. A strand of American foreign policy that was visible by the end of the 19th century; it included 'gunboat diplomacy' and other forms of military involvement by the United States in various parts of the world.






44. The coming to power of a new coalition - replacing an old dominant coalition of the other party






45. 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 _________________.






46. 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






47. Number of years a Senator must reside in the US prior to taking office






48. Powers of government that are specifically granted to the three branches of the federal government under the Constitution.






49. Electoral college system and other campaign practices make it exceedingly difficult for even popular ______________ candidates to successfully run for the presidency.






50. A legislator who automatically mirrors the will of the majority of his or her constituents.