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 only amendments to be ratified through the process of 'ratifying conventions -' not a vote in the state legislatures






2. Executive Check on the Legislative Branch.






3. 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.






4. This 1972 Supreme Court case struck down all state laws allowing the death penalty stating that they allowed for too much discretion on the part of the judge and jury resulting in lack of consistent administration of the penalty.






5. The absent colony at the 2nd Continental Congress.






6. After a bill is assigned to a committee - the next step is typically a ______________.






7. States that arrestees must be informed of their right to remain silent - that anything they say can be held against them in a court - that they have a right to an attorney and that an attorney will be appointed to them if they cannot afford one.






8. What principle - contained in the Fourth Amendment - protects a citizen from unwarranted search and seizure?






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






10. The doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group






11. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments provide for _____________.






12. To negotiate a complex and politically sensitive trade treaty - a President will often






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






14. Organizations or groups - such as labor unions or fraternal - professional - or religious groups - that may influence an individual's opinion.






15. Law intended to promote free competition in the market place by outlawing monopolies






16. Popular until the early 20th century when they lost favor to primaries due to corruption - now used in only 12 states.






17. The President's role in the armed forces which during the 20th century has allowed Presidents to circumvent Congress' refusal to declare war.






18. A declaration by the President in 1823 that warned European powers to keep out of the Western Hemisphere and pledged that the United States would not intervene in the internal affairs of Europe.






19. First step in the Policy Making Cycle.






20. This 1964 case established strict standards for proving slander and libel - court must prove intent of malice on the part of the publisher.






21. The right to privacy is ___________ in the Constitution.






22. In 1978 - the Supreme Court - in the 'seven dirty words' case - ruled that the government has the right to prohibit the broadcasting of _______________.






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






24. A form of city government under which power is divided between a mayor and an elected city council.






25. A legislature with only one house.






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






27. The Articles of Confederation established a ________________ legislature.






28. The pursuit and exercise of power






29. A course of action decided upon by a government






30. German sociologist theorized that the engine of government needs bureaucracies to provide expertise in a way that short-term elected or appointed official cannot.






31. After analyzing 1 -795 platform pledges over a 10-year period - Gerald M. Pomper concluded that almost ____________ of these promises were fulfilled






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






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






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






35. 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






36. Legislative branch incorporating two houses.






37. Infamous 1735 English case established the precedent for Freedom of the Press in the US.






38. 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.






39. The coming to power of a new coalition - replacing an old dominant coalition of the other party






40. A course of action chosen by government officials






41. Number of years a Senator must reside in the US prior to taking office






42. In 1998 - the Supreme Court struck down the________________ law - declaring it unconstitutional - because Congress did not have the constitutional authority to hand that power to the President.






43. The concept that political power rests with the people who can create - alter - and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in government






44. Gave authority over atomic energy from military to civilians.






45. As part of the negotiations concerning the Constitution - the South fought for and won an agreement forbidding the imposition of _______________.






46. 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






47. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






48. 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.






49. The Supreme Court is the only judicial body that may hear disputes between _________________.






50. The Supreme Court has sometimes used a narrow interpretation of the Establishment Clause allowing the government to provide aid to religious groups as long as it remains ______________ and does not promote one religion at the expense of another. This







Sorry!:) No result found.

Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?


Let me suggest you:

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests



Major Subjects

Tests & Exams


AP
CLEP
DSST
GRE
SAT
GMAT

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests