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. A relaxation of international tensions.






2. This clause of the 1st amendment establishes a 'wall of separation' between church and state.






3. 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.






4. ____________ often influence political appointments in an effort to influence bureaucracy.






5. Includes expressive conduct/assembly/actions and symbolic behavior (ex. Picketing or burning the flag) Based on our country history of symbolic acts such as the Boston Tea Party - courts almost always uphold symbolic acts of speech unless they are cr






6. Voting based on looking back and making judgments about the way things have gone and the kind of government experienced during a political leader's time in office.






7. Programs mandated by law and not subject to annual review by Congress or the president.






8. The drawing of the lines of congressional districts - or of any other political district - in order to favor one political party or group over another.






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






10. The belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics






11. The tendency of presidents to lose support over time.






12. In California v. Avecedo (1991) - The Supreme Court established that authorities may search ____________________ without a warrant providing reasonable suspicion.






13. According to V. O. Key - Jr. - the Populist Party of the 1890s is an example of a ____________________.






14. Impact elections by siphoning off votes from major parties spoiling a party's chance in a close race.






15. Unwritten law based on custom and tradition.






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






17. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






18. In 1872 - Susan B Anthony was arrested in Rochester - New York for






19. The house armed services and foreign affairs committees each have ___ subcommittees.






20. Washington v. Chrisman (1982) established the _________________ - allowing police officers to seize evidence without a warrant if the evidence is in obvious sight.






21. The power to tax is an example of _______________ powers.






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






23. Programs of government - universities - and businesses designed to favor minorities and remedy past discrimination.






24. Formal approval or consent given to a constitution - constitutional amendment - or treaty before it goes into effect.






25. Year of the 2nd Continental Congress.






26. The constitutional requirement (in article II - sec 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws






27. Raise Public Awareness - Create Policy Agenda - Prioritize Agenda - Enact Policy - Public Evaluation






28. A method of amending state constitutions under which proposed constitutional amendments can be placed on the ballot if enough signatures are obtained on a petition. Almost half the states also employ the initiative on the ballot to allow voters to en






29. 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.






30. The estimated number of illegal aliens living in the US.






31. A series of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton - John Jay - and James Madison under the pseudonym Publius advocating the ratification of the United States Constitution.






32. A procedure that in certain circumstances permits voters to remove elected state or local officials from office before their terms have expired.






33. Laws - rules - and government programs designed to protect individual rights and specific groups - as well as to benefit society as a whole in such areas as health - worker safety - consumer protection - and the environment.






34. 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:






35. The chair and the heads of the three armed services - and - when Marine Corps matters are under consideration - the commandant of the marines. By law - they advise the president and the secretary of defense and are the chiefs of their respective mili






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






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






38. The yearly value of goods and services produced within a country.






39. Article VI - Paragraph 2 - of the Constitution - which declares that the Constitution - and the laws and treaties of the United States made under it - are 'the supreme Law of the Land' and prevail over any conflicting state constitutions or laws.






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






41. He United States Constitution was opposed by which group?






42. This event was an important factor in creating the climate for a new Constitution.

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43. This amendment applied the Bill of Rights to states.






44. Minimum number of voters per state in the Electoral College.






45. A broadly based coalition that attempts to gain control of the government by winning elections in order to exercise power and reward its members.






46. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






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






48. Presides over the Senate without voting privileges except in the case of a tie.






49. The way things should be by law






50. Members of the ______________ committee of a political party work to maintain influence during non election years through congressional campaign committees.