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. President requires their approval to appoint judges - ambassadors and other high officials.






2. 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.






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






4. The Supreme Court has ruled that Congress_________________ take away a person's citizenship unless it is freely renounced.






5. Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated.






6. Federal and State Courts function in a _____________manner so that federal courts may receive appeals from state courts.






7. 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.






8. 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.






9. When the President's own party gains power and influence - it more puts pressure on the President to conform to the will of the party - leading to________________ between the President and the party to define their public identities






10. The concept that all people are of equal worth - even if not of equal ability.






11. 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.






12. The Jacksonian Era marked an important change in the process used to nominate Presidential candidates with the emergence of party _________________ - eliminating caucuses.






13. Age Requirement for House of Representatives.






14. After the bill reaches the house floor - if opponents have many changes - they may vote to ______________________.






15. Powers of the national government that flow from its enumerated powers and the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution.






16. 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.






17. A place of work in which any person may be hired provided that he or she joins the union within a specified time.






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






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






20. Gave authority over atomic energy from military to civilians.






21. Committees appointed for investigative or crisis situations.






22. According to one survey - what percentage of Americans belongs to groups that sometimes take a stand on public issues






23. The Supreme Court holds _____________ jurisdiction in cases against the US - ambassadors - public ministers - and consuls.






24. The Democrats control over politics during the 20th century ended with this President's unpopular handling of the Vietnam War.






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






26. Responsibilities include: Coordinating the nation's intelligence activities and Evaluating and disseminating intelligence that affects national security






27. A broad concept that may be defined in many ways - but the term is generally used to refer to the basic protection and defense of the nation.






28. The attitudes and actions of people that sustain and buttress the political system at all levels and allows the political system to continue to work.






29. A close contest; by extension - any contest in which the focus is on who is ahead and how much rather than on substantive differences between the candidates.






30. Responsible for determining which bills will be considered on the House floor - and when they will be considered.






31. 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






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






33. In the year 2000 - the Supreme Court ruled that the Boy Scouts of America had a constitutional right to ban _____________ members.






34. According to the Constitution - the electors in the Electoral College shall be appointed in a manner to be determined by the






35. Article I - Section 8 - of the Constitution - which allows Congress to make all laws that are 'necessary and proper' to carry out the powers of the Constitution.






36. The spread of nuclear weapons to more nations.






37. Includes the 13th - 14th - and 15th Amendments. Abolished slavery and guaranteed due process and equal protection to all citizens.






38. Legislative opinions on a matter that do not require Presidential signature.






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






40. A Latin phrase meaning 'stand by past decisions -' a principle that judges often use in deciding cases. Ruling based on precedents.






41. Most Americans support ______________ primarily as part of their criticism of PACs






42. California measure designed to deny welfare and other benefits to illegal aliens. Overwhelmingly passed the popular vote - but overturned in federal court because it extending beyond the bounds of state rights to attempt to control immigration.






43. Corporations formed by the government to act as a business to produce a product or service. Often monopolies with varying degrees of independence.






44. Which historical figure described democracy as 'the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time?'






45. Inherent powers of state governments to pass laws to protect health - safety - and welfare; the national government has no directly granted police powers but accomplishes the same goals through other delegated powers.






46. The federal fiscal year begins ___________.






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






48. The absent colony at the 2nd Continental Congress.






49. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.






50. David R. Mayhew has suggested that this influences congressional behavior. The ________________ is the relationship between members of Congress and their constituents.