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 1892 platform of the Populist party repudiating laissez-faire and demanding economic and political reform






2. 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.






3. American politics is dominated by a small ___________ who is responsible for most of the important policy decisions






4. 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.






5. (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.






6. An economic philosophy that advocates both tax and budget cuts to increase incentives to produce in order to expand the total supply of the nation's goods and services.






7. Total number of Representatives apportioned to the states based on population and reapportioned with the census every 10 years






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






9. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal






10. In an election with more than 2 options - the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number - but less that half of the votes.






11. A legislator who automatically mirrors the will of the majority of his or her constituents.






12. _____________ are expected to specialize in a few policy areas rather than claim expertise in the whole range of legislative concerns






13. Process by which citizens propose an amendment by petition.






14. A small group of voters chosen by a political campaign for their demographic similarities who are brought together to gauge how the group they represent feels about the candidate.






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

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16. 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 ______________)






17. The total group from which poll-takers may select a random sample in order to measure public opinion.






18. Constitutional Article that establishes the Judicial Branch.






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






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






21. 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.






22. Cabinet department responsible for regulating and promoting trade and maintaining the census Established in 1913..






23. In a political campaign - the surest way of reaching the largest number of voters is usually _____________.






24. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






25. 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.






26. A powerful alliance of mutual benefit among an agency or unit of the government - an interest group - and a committee or subcommittee of Congress. Also called a triangle or a subgovernment.






27. A jury of 6 to 12 persons who determine guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action






28. In the 1925 Gitlow case - the Supreme Court began a process of ______________ of the Bill of Rights to the states.






29. Prompted by FDR's 4th election to the Presidency - the 22nd Amendment limited the number of Presidential terms to _____ terms.






30. The ___________ aspects of Federalism include: diversity/diffusion of power - more access points for political participation - fostering of experimentation and innovation - and allowing local governments to manage local problems effectively






31. Control of a market by a single company.






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






33. 1917 Reincarnation of the Sedition Act during WWI






34. In charge of all state funds. Supervises the collection of taxes and payment of state's bill






35. Author of The Spirit of the Laws advocating balance of power in politics with liberty is dependant upon a separation of the judicial - legislative - and executive branches of government.






36. Lobbyists for special interest groups have found ____________________ to be the most direct and effective method to secure their objectives in Congress.






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






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






39. An extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion






40. The provisions of the Constitution that divide power among three constitutionally equal and independent branches of government






41. Unwritten law based on custom and tradition.






42. 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.






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






44. Ruling by the Supreme Court in 1954 that racial segregation in public schools violates the Fourteenth Amendment's requirement of equal protection of the laws for all persons.






45. In this essay - James Madison recognized that reconciling the competing interests of various groups was what legislation was all about






46. In states using primaries - the most common form of primary election is the ___________ primary.






47. 19th century case establishing that the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government - upheld until the 20th century. Ruling allowed stated to engage in activities such as establishing state churches and denying public office to people of ce






48. Th joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot as required by the twelfth amendment






49. In his historic decision in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) - Chief Justice Marshall established the principle of _____________.






50. The ______________________ were formed to unite the colonists against Britain.