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. In this 1972 case - the Supreme Court established four guidelines for determining if a trial was appropriately speedy and fair: cause of delay - length of delay - affect on the outcome - and the defendant's claim to a speedy trial.






2. Groups whose views serve as guidelines to an individual's opinion. See also primary groups and secondary groups.






3. The expansion of cable and satellite tv has _________________ the president's power to influence public opinion.






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






5. Economists generally agree that the major responsibility for promoting prosperity and full employment falls on ________________.






6. Independent organizations - but more often the political arms of corporations - labor unions - or interest groups - established to contribute to candidates or to work for general political goals.






7. In 2002 - a federal appeals court struck down the Pledge of Allegiance on the grounds that it violated ________________.






8. After a bill has passed both the House and Senate - it goes to _________________ where any differences between the house bill and the senate bill are resolved before sending to the President for signature






9. Passed in 1883 - it created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.






10. The uprising of farmers angered by crushing debt and taxes that revealed the failure of the Articles of Confederation.

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


11. The agency that provides Congress with evaluations of public policies is the






12. After the Vietnam war - American politics entered an era of __________________ during which neither party maintained control over the government.






13. The principle - established by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1819 in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland - that the Constitution must be interpreted flexibly to meet changing conditions.






14. Dayton Board of Education v. Brinkman (1979) upheld that bussing programs were an acceptable way to enforce ______________________.






15. This influential English document signed by King John in 1215 limited the absolute power of the monarchy - established due process - and limited arbitrary seizure of property.






16. 1917 Reincarnation of the Sedition Act during WWI






17. The belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics






18. A legal principle of fair dealing - which may provide preventive measures and legal remedies that are unavailable under existing common law and statutory law.






19. The way things should be by law






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






21. 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






22. According to one survey - what percentage of Americans belongs to groups that sometimes take a stand on public issues






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






24. Cabinet department that includes the Coast Guard - Border Patrol - FEMA - Transportation Security Administration - INS and the Secret Service. Established in 2001 in response to 9/11.






25. Guarantees that citizens cannot be compelled by the government to act in a way that is contrary to their religious beliefs. (ex. Conscientious objection to military service required by the draft is the execution of ______________)






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






27. During the period from 1976 to 1824 - This party was lead by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. They wanted a stronger national government that would rectify the pitfalls of the Articles of Confederation. Their supporters held a stronghold in New






28. Presidential management model requiring the President to have strong leadership skills and a keen eye for detail. FDR and JFK were well known for this style of leadership.






29. Most states have ___________ legislatures.






30. Although camera are allowed in most trial courts - they are banned from ______________.






31. Political party lead by Andrew Jackson from 1828 to 1856. Campaigned against strong central government and fought to end elitism.






32. A course of action chosen by government officials






33. Wisconsin Republican who exploited public concern for political gain during the 1950's through freewheeling investigations of alleged Communists.






34. This body of government has final authority on the meaning of the Constitution.






35. The pursuit and exercise of power






36. Political commercials that strongly attack a rival candidate.






37. Agencies that were at one time semi-autonomous but that through legislation have been placed under presidential control since 1945.






38. Legislative house responsible for impeachment trials.






39. To an extent - the press and the government have a relationship that is _______________ and mutually dependent.






40. Article VII of the Constitution outlines the process of ____________________.






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






42. A plan to provide billions of dollars of American aid to Western Europe to speed its economic and social recovery after the Second World War.






43. Provisions tacked on to a piece of legislation that are not relevant to the bill.






44. Requires that a suspect in a federal case be arraigned without unnecessary delay.






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






46. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






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






48. A course of action decided upon by a government






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






50. Funds spent for or against a candidate by committees not formally connected to the candidate's campaign and without coordination with the campaign.