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 legislature with only one house.






2. In Woodson v. North Carolina - the Supreme Court struck down mandatory sentencing of capital punishment as ______________________ because it does not allow for any discretion.






3. A group of writers - journalists - and critics who exposed corporate malfeasance and political corruption in the first decade of the 20th century.






4. 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.






5. A law passed in 1966 that requires federal executive branch and regulatory agencies to make information available to journalists - scholars - and the public unless it falls into one of several confidential categories.






6. 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






7. A provision of the Federal Communications Act that requires broadcasters to provide the same amount of exposure to all legally qualified political candidates.






8. Independent organizations - but more often the political arms of corporations - labor unions - or interest groups - established to contribute to candidates or to work for general political goals.






9. In an election with more than 2 options - the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number - but less that half of the votes.






10. These parties often emerge as off-shoots of major parties or as single-issue parties. They typically act as critic/innovator bringing attention to issues and influencing the platforms of the major parties.






11. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






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






13. The average voter turnout between 1960 and 2004 was __________ percent






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






15. The principle - established by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1819 in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland - that the Constitution must be interpreted flexibly to meet changing conditions.






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






17. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






18. 1974 Act mandating that all government files about private citizens be kept confidential.






19. Presidential management model in which the Chief of Staff plays a prominent role as the head of a military style chain of command. Used successfully by Reagan and Eisenhower.






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






21. Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






22. Number of Senators elected at large per state -






23. Responsible for further investigation - hearings - and amendment to a bill






24. Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees - task forces - and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.






25. Act of exchanging favors for mutual gain






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






27. This category of interest groups has been the strongest and most effective in lobbying Washington






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






29. Belief in the value of strong government to provide economic secruity and protection for civil rights - combined with a belief in personal freedom from government intervention in social conduct






30. Guarantees that any rights not explicitly outlined heretofore are reserved for the states.






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






32. A pluralist theory by C. Wright Mills where a small number of wealthy elite wield most of the power. Fundamental to all governments around the world - the elite rule while they make the lower classes feel like they are involved in democracy. The elit






33. Article I of the Constitution establishes the ___________________ branch.






34. Lead by Theodore Roosevelt - this party platform focused on women's suffrage - social reform - fair business practices - and direct election of senators. The won 25% of the popular vote in 1911 - splitting the Republican vote and allowing Democrat Wo






35. Elects the President if no candidate receives 270 Electoral College votes.






36. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) - founded in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover to help combat the Great Depression - was the predecessor of which federal agencies?






37. The period of time after the election of FDR until the Vietnam War was dominated by the Democratic Party and know as the __________________ Era.






38. In addition to the doctrine of implied powers - Chief Justice Marshall - in his decision in the Supreme Court case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - established the key concept of:






39. 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.






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






41. A power of the president to kill a bill by taking no action (if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period after the president receives the bill). Some court rulings have suggested that a president may exercise a pocket veto only when Congress adjour






42. The oldest House committee still in existence.






43. First step in the Policy Making Cycle.






44. Today the South is is a two-party battleground - in which the ______________ often have the upper hand






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






46. Compromise between the large states and small states that established the bicameral Legislature consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Also included 3/5 compromise on the status of slaves in representation.






47. 14th Amendment is often used to support the right to ____________.






48. Colonies controlled by the British king through governors appointed by him and through the king's veto power over colonial laws.






49. 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.






50. 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.