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 event was an important factor in creating the climate for a new Constitution.

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2. This influential English document refuted divine right of monarchy and made monarchs subject to laws and responsible for crimes






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






4. When the population's overall feeling of political efficacy is low - voter turnout is _______.






5. The FCC's equal time policy applies to _____________.






6. The vagueness of this phrase has allowed juries to exclude specific genders or races in order to affect the outcome of the verdict.






7. James Madison proposed to deal with the threat of political factions by ______________________.






8. The single biggest item in campaign spending at the presidential level is ___________________.






9. Dissenting Democrats focused on foreign affairs. Aligned with the US Communist Party.

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10. 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






11. A group of people - chosen by poll-takers - that is representative of the universe that is being polled.






12. In the last 30 years - voter turnout among American 18- to 24-year-olds has been






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






15. Number of years a President must reside in the US prior to taking office






16. Freedoms that protect the individual from the government.






17. Largest interest group in the US.






18. 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.






19. An individual who does not join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence.






20. Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people






21. In this case - a gay man from Georgia charged with committing sodomy in his own home with a consenting adult. The court ruled that the Constitution does not explicitly grant the right for homosexuals to practice their lifestyle and that laws against






22. There is an _____________ relationship between Presidential approval ratings and unemployment.






23. 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.






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






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






26. Executive office responsible for negotiating trade with foreign powers.






27. In Johnson v. Texas (1989) - the Supreme Court ruled that burning the flag in a manner that does not pose a threat to people or property is allowed as this type of freedom of speech.






28. (1945-1991) The period after the Second World War marked by rivalry and tension between the two nuclear superpowers - the United States and the communist government of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ended when the Soviet government collapsed in 1991.






29. 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






30. At one time - the press generally refrained from publishing personal information that would be damaging. FDR - Eisenhower - and JFK all benefited from this reluctance to engage in _____________________. However - the American publics appetite for sen






31. A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute currently before a court.






32. Executive check on Legislative Branch.






33. Powers of government exercised independently by both the federal and state governments - such as the power to tax.






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






35. Legislature bills that affect all citizens.






36. Washington v. Chrisman (1982) established the _________________ - allowing police officers to seize evidence without a warrant if the evidence is in obvious sight.






37. ___________ vote in both the House and Senate may override a Presidential veto of legislation.






38. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.






39. In the 1964 case of ____________ - the Supreme Court: established 'one person - one vote' -






40. Age Requirement for the Senate






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






42. Smith v. Allwight (1994) was the first vase in which the Supreme Court upheld the voting rights of _____________ in state primary elections.






43. Presides over any impeachment trial.






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






45. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: conflicts between state and national government - economic and racial discrimination - uneven enforcement of law - and dominance of local governments by special interest groups






46. The federal fiscal year begins ___________.






47. Programs are designed to give preferential access to education - employment - health care - or social welfare to groups of people - especially minorities and women - who have historically been discriminated against.






48. The foreign policy of the United States during the period after the Second World War - designed to contain the expansion of Soviet power.






49. The policy established after the Second World War that America must take an active leadership role in world affairs






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