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. Proponents of limited government - unregulated free markets - national self-reliance - and conventional social values are best describes as






2. People may vote in a party's primary only if they are registered members of that party. Independents cannot participate. Note that because some political parties name themselves independent - the term 'non-partisan' often replaces 'independent' when






3. The Equal Rights Amendment was defeated in 1982 because ____________________________.






4. 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.






5. Federal and State Courts function in a _____________manner so that federal courts may receive appeals from state courts.






6. This 1st amendment clause prohibits the government from making any law prohibiting the exercise of any religion






7. In _______________ cases such as Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) - the Supreme Court has upheld that while Affirmative action policies are legal - race and gender cannot be the only determining factors.






8. A place of work in which only union members may be hired.






9. Electoral college system and other campaign practices make it exceedingly difficult for even popular ______________ candidates to successfully run for the presidency.






10. Communication with legislators or other government officials to try to influence their decisions.






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






12. An offical who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of the legislator






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






14. Between 1909 and 2002 - the number of daily newspapers in the United States______________.






15. A Latin phrase meaning 'stand by past decisions -' a principle that judges often use in deciding cases. Ruling based on precedents.






16. In lieu of an indictment - the state prosecutor may file a _______________ charging the person with a crime.






17. Clause of the Constitution (Article 1 - Section 10) intended to prohibit state governments from modifying contracts made between individuals; interpreted as prohibiting state governments from taking actions that adversely affect property rights.






18. 1963 ruling prohibiting prayer in public schools.






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






20. The power of some municipalities to modify their charters and run their affairs without approval by the state legislature.






21. 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






22. California measure designed to deny welfare and other benefits to illegal aliens. Overwhelmingly passed the popular vote - but overturned in federal court because it extending beyond the bounds of state rights to attempt to control immigration.






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






24. Concept of the British statesman Edmund Burke that legislators should act according to their own consciences.






25. Formal approval or consent given to a constitution - constitutional amendment - or treaty before it goes into effect.






26. This called for three-fifths of all slaves in a state were counted for purposes of apportioning representation in the House of Representatives.






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






28. State legislation designed to outlaw the union shop - passed by 21 states acting under Section 14B of the federal Taft-Hartley Act.






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






30. According to the Constitution - the electors in the Electoral College shall be appointed in a manner to be determined by the






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






32. The action - or actions - taken by government to carry out a policy.






33. The philosophy that government should intervene as little as possible in economic affairs.






34. A provision of law in which Congress asserts the power to nullify actions of the executive branch. In 1983 the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional - but Congress continued to pass laws containing such provisions.






35. Constitutional protection of the accused to not be tried for the same crime twice.






36. Appointed by Eisenhower - this Supreme court justice who played an important role in the court's stance on the advancement of civil rights.






37. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






38. Term limit for House of Representatives.






39. President requires their approval to appoint judges - ambassadors and other high officials.






40. 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.






41. The Supreme Court's broad interpretation of this clause has denied direct aid from the government for religious groups - but does allow religious groups to make use of government services such as police and fire.






42. In order to win support for ratification of the Constitution - the Federalists had to promise that the first order of business under a new government would be to _______________.






43. First proposed in 1789 - this amendment passed in 1992 prohibits Congress from raising their own pay. Pay raises may not take affect until the beginning of the next term.






44. The 24th amendment banned _____________ - making it harder for states to discriminate against poor and minority voters.






45. Senators have a __________ rate of re-election than Representatives primarily because of their larger constituency and lack of direct involvement with them.






46. This 1963 case extended the right to counsel to all felony cases.






47. Legislature bills that affect all citizens.






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






49. If significant amendments are made to a bill during committee - the bill is sometimes given a new number as a _______________.






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