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 1st Amendment states that government cannot issue ______________ - censoring publications before they are published.






2. A legislative leader of each party who is responsible for rounding up party members for important votes.






3. Information sent out in order to observe the reaction of an audience. Used by politicians who deliberately leak information on a policy change under consideration.






4. In presidential campaigns - federal matching funds are provided to candidates who ______________.






5. This influential English document signed by King John in 1215 limited the absolute power of the monarchy - established due process - and limited arbitrary seizure of property.






6. Bills passed by Congress to pay for the spending it has authorized.






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






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






9. Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has much discretion over how the recipient spends the money.






10. Capital punishment is also known as the _________________.






11. The view of the majority of the Supreme Court that First Amendment rights must be weighed against the competing needs of the community to preserve order.






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






13. A plan to provide billions of dollars of American aid to Western Europe to speed its economic and social recovery after the Second World War.






14. 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.






15. 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 -






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






17. A term often used to describe the economic and political ties between the military establishment and the defense-aerospace industry.






18. Broadly worded warrants used by British soldiers during colonial America to search for contraband and prevent smuggling.






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






20. Economists generally agree that the major responsibility for promoting prosperity and full employment falls on ________________.






21. In this essay - James Madison recognized that reconciling the competing interests of various groups was what legislation was all about






22. During the 1800's and early 1900's - some state and local party committees became ________________ dominating party activities. Committee members would promise new recruits money - jobs - and other benefits for joining and voting the straight party t






23. In his classic study of community power in New Haven - Connecticut - political scientist Robert A. Dahl concluded that the city was a __________ system dominated by many different sets of leaders






24. First Executive Branch






25. The demands of and supports for a political system






26. A vote in the House of Representatives in which the position of each member is noted and published in the Congressional Record.






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






28. This group of voters historically supported Republicans - a party founded on an anti-slavery platform. During the 1930's they began supporting the New Deal policies of the Democratic party.






29. Law intended to promote free competition in the market place by outlawing monopolies






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






31. Political leaders typically try to both lead and follow ____________.






32. The power of some municipalities to modify their charters and run their affairs without approval by the state legislature.






33. _______________ indicates a citizens' faith and trust in government and their own belief that they can understand and influence political affairs






34. 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.






35. The 1896 case of Plessy v. Fergusan established the racial segregation policy of __________________.






36. This called for three-fifths of all slaves in a state were counted for purposes of apportioning representation in the House of Representatives.






37. 'lame duck' amendment






38. 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.






39. ___________ vote in both the House and Senate may override a Presidential veto of legislation.






40. The relationship between the total cost of foreign goods imported to this country and sales of U.S. products overseas.






41. Authority based on an individual's outstanding traits - which attract followers






42. The Constitution requires that state governments - like the federal government - must be _____________ in form - with final authority resting with the people.






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






44. While both Asian and Hispanic immigrants experience various types of discrimination - Hispanic immigrants are more likely to experience economic discrimination. This explains why most Hispanics identify with the ____________ party - while Asians do n






45. The name commonly given to a private group - regardless of size - organized to elect political candidates. An organization becomes one by receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1 -000 for the purpose of influencing a federal ele






46. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to release these until a majority of polling places had closed in each state






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






48. A government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc.






49. These party members are highly involved in the electoral process. Donate funds to party and candidates - demand a voice in state party agendas and tend to have a strong belief in their party's ideology.






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