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. Legislative house responsible for impeachment trials.






2. The vote cast by a person who does not like either candidate and so votes for the less objectionable of the two - putting a clothespin over his nose to keep out the unpleasant stench






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






4. The number of ______________ a state receives is based on the number Representatives and Senators that the state has in Congress






5. In this case - a gay man from Georgia charged with committing sodomy in his own home with a consenting adult. The court ruled that the Constitution does not explicitly grant the right for homosexuals to practice their lifestyle and that laws against






6. Age Requirement for House of Representatives.






7. Limitations on this freedom including prohibition of defamation and obscenity - limitation on commercial speech - and restriction of inciting words that may cause immediate danger.






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






9. Committees that pull members from both the house and the senate who meet to discuss major policy issues such as economy and taxation.






10. In Schenck v. US (1919) - The Supreme Court ruled that government may prohibit speech that creates an immediate threat of criminal action. Essentially established different standards for speech during wartime than in peacetime. Thus - establishing th






11. The view advocated by Supreme Court Justices Hugo Black and William O. Douglas that there are provisions of the Bill of Rights that cannot be diluted by judicial decisions.






12. 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.






13. A coherent set of beliefs about politics - public policy - and public purpose. It helps give meaning to political event - personalities - and policies.






14. These two Senate standing committees have existed - largely unchanged - since 1816.






15. Established in 1947 as a combined Department of War and Navy.






16. When neither political party is dominant.






17. The issuance of this document by a judge requires probably cause and must be worded so as to allow for the search and seizure of specific evidence.






18. In addition to overseeing the activities of one or more federal agencies - a ___________________may also serve as the authorizing committee for federal agencies' programs and operations.






19. Control of a market by a single company.






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






21. Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.






22. Minor criminal offenses - such as speeding.






23. In WV State BOE v Barnette (1943) - the Supreme Court ruled that compelling citizens to salute the flag violates the principles of a free society - upholding which 1st Amendment rights?






24. Cabinet department responsible for regulating and promoting trade and maintaining the census Established in 1913..






25. Finding that enough evidence exists to warrant a criminal trial.






26. Plan that proposed bicameral legislature where states were to have representation based on size in both houses.






27. Committees appointed for investigative or crisis situations.






28. An extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion






29. 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.






30. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






31. The kinds of cases that a court has the authority to decide.






32. An ideology that advocates limits on government power to address economic and social problems - relying instead on economic markets and individual initiative to address problems like health care and education - while promoting government involvement






33. The class of independent voters who do not vote according to party affiliation - but who typically have a broader range of concerns than single-issue voters - are known colloquially as






34. 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.






35. The individuals - institutions - and processes that make the rules for society and possess the power to enforce them.






36. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






37. Powers of government that are specifically granted to the three branches of the federal government under the Constitution.






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






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






40. The process through which an individual acquires a set of political attitudes and forms opinions about political and social issues.






41. The permanent committees of a legislature that consider bills and conduct hearings and investigations.






42. The practice that allows senators to delay or even kill floor action on legislation - a nomination - or other matters by asking their party leaders not to schedule them.






43. A political candidate who is thought to have only an outside chance of gaining the nomination.






44. Leader of the House of Representatives - elected by the majority party. 2nd in line of succession for the Presidency.






45. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.






46. In the last 30 years - voter turnout among American 18- to 24-year-olds has been






47. The demands of and supports for a political system






48. The pursuit and exercise of power






49. Representatives serve ____ year terms






50. Cabinet department oversees nuclear reactors.Established in 1973 in response to the Energy Crisis.