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 structure and set of regulations in place to control activity - usually in large organizations and government. it is represented by standardized procedure (rule-following) that dictates the execution of most or all processes within the body - for






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


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






4. 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






5. 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.






6. 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






7. A device that allows the House of Representatives to conduct its business with fewer restrictions on debate and a quorum of only 100 members.






8. The separation of people by race.






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






10. The belief that one is effective when participating in politics - for example that the government will respond to one's demands






11. Things government decides to do - example: taxation - crime control - national defense - education - etc.






12. A close contest; by extension - any contest in which the focus is on who is ahead and how much rather than on substantive differences between the candidates.






13. 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.






14. Loose - competitive relationships among policy experts - interest groups - congressional committees - and federal agencies. Many observers argue that these have replaced iron triangles.






15. 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






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






17. Which form of registration prevails in all but a few states?






18. The provisions of the Constitution that divide power among three constitutionally equal and independent branches of government






19. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






20. The House appropriations committee has ___ subcommittees.






21. Legislative house whose membership was intended to represent the state.






22. 'lame duck' amendment






23. The case of Gregg v. Georgia set the precedent for a ________________ system in which guilt and sentencing and tried separately.






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






25. The principle that the government - as provided in the Fifth Amendment - can take property for 'public use' with 'just compensation' to the owners.






26. This controversial clause of the 9th Amendment has allowed government to expand rights to suit its needs.






27. Early civil rights leader established the Niagara Movement and helped to establish the NAACP.






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






29. Its the responsibility of ___________ committees of a political party to solidify the party within each state and organize primary elections






30. Until the law was changed in 2002 - the term described unregulated campaign funds not subject to the limits of federal law because they went to party committees and not directly to candidates. The 2002 law banned contributions of soft money to nation






31. Which two British Acts - passed in 1764 - caused American colonists for the first time to organize protests against the injustices of British rule - and sparked the rallying cry 'no taxation without representation'?






32. 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.






33. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






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






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






36. First Roman Catholic elected President.






37. This act prohibited Discrimination because of race - color - sex - religion - or national origin by employers or labor unions; The adoption by voting registrars of different standards for black and white applicants; and Racial or religious discrimina






38. This house committee is responsible for Supervising the authority of the federal government to borrow money - Raising the revenue required to finance the federal government by levying taxes - Overseeing Social Security and other social insurance prog






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






40. 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:






41. President Hoover's laissez-faire approach to the economy during the Great Depression left many poor voters disenfranchised by the Republican Party. They left to join the _______________ Party.






42. Spending by the national committees of the political parties to support the election of congressional candidates is known as






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






44. 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.






45. Judicial Check on Legislative Branch. Not specifically outlined in the Constitution - but established in the case of Marbury v. Madison through the application of the Supremacy Clause in Article VI.






46. Judges in Legislative Courts serve _______ terms and do not require impeachment.






47. These voters are registered as a party member but only participate by voting in primary and general elections. Tend to vote straight-party ticket and follow the leads of local party officials.






48. The net balance or relationship between total income and total expenditures by the nation in its dealings with the rest of the world - including trade - loans - and investments.






49. In Sweatt v. Painter (1950) - The Supreme Court upheld that ___________________ was inherently not the case as is applied to the University of Texas Law School.






50. These dissenting Republicans won 17% of the popular vote in 1924 on a platform for public control of national resources and railways - tax reductions - and changes to the staff of the executive department