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. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






2. The chair and the heads of the three armed services - and - when Marine Corps matters are under consideration - the commandant of the marines. By law - they advise the president and the secretary of defense and are the chiefs of their respective mili






3. Form of obstruction in the Senate where an attempt is made to infinitely extend debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place.






4. The proceeding before a judge in which the formal charges of an indictment or information are read to an accused person - who may plead guilty or not guilty.






5. A place of work in which any person may be hired provided that he or she joins the union within a specified time.






6. This type of government suits a large country with a diverse population






7. The relationship between the total cost of foreign goods imported to this country and sales of U.S. products overseas.






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






9. According to the Speedy Trial Act of 1974 - federal trials must commence within _______ days of arrest with the exception of delay for mental health testing of the defendant and illness of the defendant or key witness.






10. A legislative leader of each party who is responsible for rounding up party members for important votes.






11. The power to tax is an example of _______________ powers.






12. A course of action chosen by government officials






13. The 23rd Amendment guaranteed voting rights to whom?






14. Southern whites prevented blacks from ____________ through use of poll taxes - literacy tests and intimidation tactics after the Civil War.






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






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






17. Guaranteed women the right to vote.






18. A system of _______________ - as in Italy - encourages the existence of many parties by allotting seats to competing candidates according to the percentage of votes they win.






19. David R. Mayhew has suggested that this influences congressional behavior. The ________________ is the relationship between members of Congress and their constituents.






20. Also known as the Massachusetts ballot - groups candidates according to the office for which they are running






21. Cabinet department responsible for collective bargaining and union activity. Established in 1913






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






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






24. The process through which an individual acquires a set of political attitudes and forms opinions about political and social issues.






25. The Medicaid and Food Stamp programs are examples of two very large






26. In the area of foreign affairs - _______________ often have the advantage because






27. A series of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton - John Jay - and James Madison under the pseudonym Publius advocating the ratification of the United States Constitution.






28. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendment to bills or provides that only memebers of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments






29. The only court specifically outlined in the Constitution.






30. A judicial opinion agreed to by a majority of the members of a court. A majority opinion sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.






31. While these voters have traditionally supported the Democrats - some have begun to support Republicans in light of the Democrats liberal policies on abortion.






32. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






33. An economic system in which the factors of production are owned by the publicand operate for the welfare of all.






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






35. These party members take active non-leadership roles such as working polls or contributing money to campaigns. Tend to compromise on important issues and are mostly concerned about winning elections.






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






37. Grants that an accused may not be held in custody without charge - literally 'You shall have the body'.






38. Which historical figure described democracy as 'the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time?'






39. Most modern political scientists believe there is ________________ between politics and government.






40. Senators are re-elected every ___ years with 1/3 of the Senate being up for election every 2 years.






41. A philosophy that Supreme Court justices and other judges should boldly apply the Constitution to social and political questions.






42. In the view of W. Lance Bennett - the people who hold and express opinions are constantly changing - as are the issues and conditions to which the public responds. As a result - Bennett suggests that public opinion is______________.






43. 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.






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






45. 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.






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






47. 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.






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






49. Article I - Section 8 - of the Constitution - which allows Congress to make all laws that are 'necessary and proper' to carry out the powers of the Constitution.






50. A group of writers - journalists - and critics who exposed corporate malfeasance and political corruption in the first decade of the 20th century.