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 right of the Supreme Court - under the Constitution - to hear certain kinds of cases directly - such as cases involving foreign diplomats - or cases in which one of the 50 states is a party.






2. 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.






3. The overall public has a ___________ view of PACS in terms of bought votes and adding to the cost of running for office






4. Court cases that involve relations between individuals and organizations - such as a divorce action - or a suit for damages arising from an automobile accident or for violation of a business contract.






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






6. Constitutionally required address by the President typically given in a joint session of Congress.






7. Number of years a Representative must reside in the US prior to taking office






8. The Immigration Act of 1965 abolished the practice of _______________ allowing more diversity among immigrants.






9. The claim by presidents of an inherent right to withhold information from Congress and the judiciary.






10. A policy that takes something away from one person and gives it to someone else -






11. 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.






12. _____________ are expected to specialize in a few policy areas rather than claim expertise in the whole range of legislative concerns






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






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






15. Tax legislation must originate in this house.






16. Requests from people or groups for health care for the aged - loans for college students - equal opportunity for minorities - and higher subsidies for farmers are examples of:






17. Department established in 1988 by President G.H. Bush.

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18. 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.






19. An annual meeting held in the spring in many New England towns - at which the townspeople come together to elect a board of selectmen and to discuss local policy questions. It has become a symbol of participatory democracy.






20. This rule established by US v. Leon (1984) angered civil liberties groups by allowing exception to the Exclusionary Rule in instances where probably cause may not fully exist.






21. An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government - promoting a free market economy - a non-interventionist foreign policy - and an absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres.






22. Which office serves as a watchdog into waste or fraud in the bureaucracy and conducts investigations at the request of congressional committees






23. 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.






24. Philosopher John Locke - in his 1690 work Civil Government (second treatise) - advised separation of government power between






25. 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.






26. Cabinet department that includes the FAA and the National Hwy Traffic Safety Administration. Established in 1966.






27. Eisenhower's philosophy of being liberal in all things human and being conservative with all things fiscal. Appealed to both Republicans and Democrats.






28. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






29. 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 _________________.






30. Ruling by the Supreme Court in 1954 that racial segregation in public schools violates the Fourteenth Amendment's requirement of equal protection of the laws for all persons.






31. An immigrant who wished to become a citizen may be naturalized after living in the US for ___ years.






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






33. 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.






34. 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.






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






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






37. (1945-1991) The period after the Second World War marked by rivalry and tension between the two nuclear superpowers - the United States and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ended when the Soviet government collapsed in 1991.






38. When the minority party becomes stronger than the majority party - usually the result of winning a critical election.






39. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






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






41. In his historic decision in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Chief Justice Marshall established the principle of _____________.






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






43. A White House council created under the National Security Act of 1947 to advise the president and help coordinate American military and foreign policy.






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






45. Which of the following factors is likely to be the weakest indicator of an individual's political beliefs and opinions? Age - Race - Intelligence - or Religion






46. The European political philosophers whose writings influenced the concepts of liberty and government contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution belonged to the intellectual and cultural movement known as






47. Love of country and a desire for independence; it can also mean an excessive form of patriotism exploited by political leaders.






48. In Argersinger v. Hamlin (1972) - the Supreme Court extended the right to counsel to those accused of misdemeanors if the defendant is _____________.






49. The executive office established in response to intelligence lapses during WWI. Oversees American foreign policy and includes the President - Vice President - Secretary of State - Secretary of Defense and is lead by the National Security Advisor.






50. Requires the Electoral College to vote for President and Vice President separately.