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. 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.






2. In Congress - _____________ are informal organizations of individual congressional representatives with like interests or constituencies. Members work together to promote the interests of the groups they represent through legislation - policy - and p






3. In 1943 - The Supreme Court upheld the Jehovah's Witnesses right to refrain from saluting the American flag based on their right to _____________.






4. These voters tend to have a high voter turnout because of their strong since of civic duty due to growing up during an era of political and civil unrest.






5. Define US Citizenship as any person born or naturalized in the United States.






6. Law enacted by Congress - or by state legislatures or local legislative bodies.






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






8. An election in which voters in a jurisdiction select candidates for a subsequent election. In other words - one means by which a political party nominate candidates for the following general election.s






9. Powers of the national government that flow from its enumerated powers and the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution.






10. Tax legislation must originate in this house.






11. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






12. Literally meaning 'right of soil' - confers citizenship by place of birth.






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






14. The total amount of money that the United States owes to its creditors.






15. ____________________ define Congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme Court.






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






17. 1798 Act that criminalized speech that was derisive to the government. Later ruled unconstitutional - Andrew Jackson issued blanket pardon in 1801






18. Representatives serve ____ year terms






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






20. Baby boomers - women - and voters with higher levels of education tend to have a ____________ voter turnout.






21. After hearings are complete - a congressional subcommittee will usually determine a bill's future in final deliberations known as






22. The spread of nuclear weapons to new nations






23. Type of interest group represented in Washington by another individual or organization. (Ex. Ford Motor Company pays a lobbyist in Washington to represent them.)






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






25. Laws must be reasonable. The Supreme Court has abandoned this concept in regards to business matters citing that it is the responsibility of Congress to regulate economic matters. The court has continued to apply this to matters of civil liberties an






26. ______________ refers to the differences in political attitudes and voting behavior between men and women






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






28. Plan that proposed unicameral legislature with each state having one vote.






29. 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.






30. Powers of government that the national government may exercise simply because it exists as a government - such as the right to conduct foreign relations.






31. Disapproval of a bill by a chief executive - such as the president or a governor.






32. Independent agencies governed by an appointed and confirmed commission. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration - Environmental Protection Agency - and the Securities and Exchange Commission.






33. Federal categorical grants in which the granting agency has much discretion over how the recipient spends the money.






34. PACs may donate a ______________ amount of indirect or in-kind donations to a campaign. (Ex. placing ads to support their candidate)






35. The head of a national political party






36. Which powers of the national government flow from its enumerated powers and from the 'elastic clause' of the Constitution?






37. The view of the majority of the Supreme Court that First Amendment rights must be weighed against the competing needs of the community to preserve order.






38. Decides which bills will be considered.






39. Federal grants in which the recipient has little discretion over how the money is spent. The national government sets narrowly defined rules for use of funds and often requires the states or local governments to provide matching funds. These grants a






40. Test whereby the Supreme Court established criteria by which state may provide aid to religious groups.






41. Assistants to the Majority and Minority Leaders of both the House and Senate.






42. This was amended in 1985 to prohibit vote dilution without requiring the proof of discriminatory purpose demanded by the original Act.






43. Included are Agriculture - Nutrition - and Forestry; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking - Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce - Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Health - Education -






44. The name commonly given to a private group - regardless of size - organized to elect political candidates. An organization becomes one by receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1 -000 for the purpose of influencing a federal ele






45. A political group organized under section 527 of the IRS code that may accept and spend unlimited amounts of money on election activities so long as they are not spent on broadcast ads run in the last 30 days before a primary or 60 days before a gene






46. The only instance in which the government can prohibit religious activities






47. 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.






48. The term most political scientists prefer to describe the bureaucratic process






49. The Supreme Court has ruled that Congress_________________ take away a person's citizenship unless it is freely renounced.






50. Amendment that delegated the election of Senators to popular vote.