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. A group of independent states or nations that come together for a common purpose and whose central authority is usually limited to defense and foreign relations.






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






3. Includes the 13th - 14th - and 15th Amendments. Abolished slavery and guaranteed due process and equal protection to all citizens.






4. ______________________is responsible for the management of the federal debt and the printing of currency. It is the major fiscal policy agency.






5. A law passed by Congress in 1973 in an effort to set a time limit on the use of combat forces abroad by a president.






6. 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.






7. Most likely to board a foreign ship suspected of drug trafficking at a U.S. port






8. These dissenting Republicans won 17% of the popular vote in 1924 on a platform for public control of national resources and railways - tax reductions - and changes to the staff of the executive department

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9. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other - so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted






10. Information sent out in order to observe the reaction of an audience. Used by politicians who deliberately leak information on a policy change under consideration.






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






12. A 1972 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union limiting the number of defensive missiles each country could build. In 2001 President George W. Bush withdrew the United States from the treaty.






13. 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.






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






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






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






17. Special courts assigned to deal with specific legislative issues such as taxes - military appeals - and international trade.






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






19. This contraversial 2001 law allows anti-terrorism authorities to monitor e-mail and Internet traffic in order to prevent terrorist attacks. The government argues that cyberspace is public domain and that no warrants should be needed to access informa






20. An annual meeting held in the spring in many New England towns - at which the townspeople come together to elect a board of selectmen and to discuss local policy questions. It has become a symbol of participatory democracy.






21. 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






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






23. Presidential management model in which corporate CEO tactics are used employing committees - task forces - and special advisors. Successfully utilized by Clinton and G W Bush.






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






25. Number of years a Representative must reside in the US prior to taking office






26. The issuance of this document by a judge requires probably cause and must be worded so as to allow for the search and seizure of specific evidence.






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






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






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






30. Infamous 1735 English case established the precedent for Freedom of the Press in the US.






31. Guarantees the right to a civil trial by jury.






32. 'lame duck' amendment






33. The president - the vice president - the heads of the major executive departments of the government - and certain other senior officials who may hold 'cabinet rank.'






34. When neither political party is dominant.






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






36. Until the law was changed in 2002 - the term described unregulated campaign funds not subject to the limits of federal law because they went to party committees and not directly to candidates. The 2002 law banned contributions of soft money to nation






37. A public policy that takes something away from one person or group and gives it to another person or group.






38. Voters tendency to identify with a party that shares their views on important issues ignoring the party's stance on issues they deem less important. to be life-long unless there is a major change in the party's platform. 2. Influenced by ra






39. ________________ of the Constitution governs the relationships of the states.






40. Eisenhower's philosophy of being liberal in all things human and being conservative with all things fiscal. Appealed to both Republicans and Democrats.






41. Committees of Congress composed of both representatives and senators.






42. ____________ often influence political appointments in an effort to influence bureaucracy.






43. ________________ of the Constitution dictates how the Constitution shall be amended.






44. In 1872 - Susan B Anthony was arrested in Rochester - New York for






45. The separation of people by race.






46. Cabinet department responsible for the management of public lands - wildlife - natural resources - and Native American affairs. Established in 1849






47. This category of interest groups has been the strongest and most effective in lobbying Washington






48. 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






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






50. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.