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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 written opinion by some of the judges of a court which agrees with the majority of the court but might arrive there in a different manner.






2. The case of Gregg v. Georgia set the precedent for a ________________ system in which guilt and sentencing and tried separately.






3. The main mechanism used by modern political parties to nominate their candidate for President.






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






5. 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.






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






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






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






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






10. At one time - the press generally refrained from publishing personal information that would be damaging. FDR - Eisenhower - and JFK all benefited from this reluctance to engage in _____________________. However - the American publics appetite for sen






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






12. The term most political scientists prefer to describe the bureaucratic process






13. Urban or rural areas in which businesses are encouraged to locate because of tax breaks and other incentives.






14. 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.






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






16. Petition that - if signed by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives - will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration






17. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






18. International agreements between the president and foreign heads of state that - unlike treaties - do not require Senate approval.






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






20. In charge of state's legal business. provide advice to other state official and represents the state in court if the state is involved in a lawsuit






21. Proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 as an attempt to form a union of the colonies. Later used to help form the Articles of Confederation.






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






23. After a bill is assigned to a committee - the next step is typically a ______________.






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






25. Several Presidents have been elected without winning the popular vote. As a result - In 1970 and 1979 - Amendments were proposed to disband the ______________ - neither passed.






26. Constitutionally empowered to appoint judges - ambassadors - and other high officials - Constitutionally empowered to make treaties with foreign countries.






27. Elections that may lead to a basic shift in the party identification of the electorate.






28. _____________ is responsible for monetary policy.






29. The most important committees - always assembled and delegated with the responsibility of handling all bills under their concern. Includes the Ways and Means - Appropriations - Budget - Rules and Agriculture Committees.






30. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






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






32. Laws must be administered in a fair manner.






33. A term popularized by sociologist Floyd Hunter to describe the community leaders who he said determined policy in Atlanta - Georgia. More broadly - the term is used to describe 'power elites' generally.






34. States that arrestees must be informed of their right to remain silent - that anything they say can be held against them in a court - that they have a right to an attorney and that an attorney will be appointed to them if they cannot afford one.






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






36. A place of work in which only union members may be hired.






37. A group of high-level administrators and managers at the top of the government bureaucracy. SES members have less job tenure but are eligible for substantial cash bonuses for merit.






38. Number of original cabinet positions under George Washington.






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






40. In some cases where blicity too much publicity surrounds a trial - courts have granted _______________ to help ensure a fair trial. One example is the trial of Timothy McVeigh for the Oklahoma City Bombing.






41. Cabinet department that includes the Coast Guard - Border Patrol - FEMA - Transportation Security Administration - INS and the Secret Service. Established in 2001 in response to 9/11.






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






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






44. According to the Speedy Trial Act of 1974 - federal trials must commence within _______ days of arrest with the exception of delay for mental health testing of the defendant and illness of the defendant or key witness.






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






46. Type of interest group represented in Washington by another individual or organization. (Ex. Ford Motor Company pays a lobbyist in Washington to represent them.)






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






48. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over budget and appointments of leadership.






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






50. Members of this party typically include women who support liberal policies on abortion and equal pay - Jews - Catholics - Blacks and other minorities - Blue-collar working class - urban - labor unions - and intelligensia







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