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






2. A method of amending state constitutions under which proposed constitutional amendments can be placed on the ballot if enough signatures are obtained on a petition. Almost half the states also employ the initiative on the ballot to allow voters to en






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






4. Committees that pull members from both the house and the senate who meet to discuss major policy issues such as economy and taxation.






5. Number of original cabinet positions under George Washington.






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






7. The attitudes and actions of people that sustain and buttress the political system at all levels and allows the political system to continue to work.






8. This rule established by US v. Leon (1984) angered civil liberties groups by allowing exception to the Exclusionary Rule in instances where probably cause may not fully exist.






9. 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.






10. A compulsory national insurance program - financed by taxes on employers and employees. The insurance falls into four categories: old-age and survivors insurance - disability insurance - Medicare - and unemployment insurance.






11. This 1957 judgement prohibited pornography material as utterly without redeeming social significance - later reversed in Miller v. California






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






13. The federal fiscal year begins ___________.






14. Procedure typically requiring 3/5 vote of the entire Senate to end a filibuster.






15. Federal aid that states and localities may use mostly as they wish.






16. Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution - for example - the authority to print money.






17. The term most political scientists prefer to describe the bureaucratic process






18. Important during the Revolution - these bodies organized by the local governments of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution for the purposes of coordinating written communication outside of the colony.






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






20. A power of the president to kill a bill by taking no action (if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period after the president receives the bill). Some court rulings have suggested that a president may exercise a pocket veto only when Congress adjour






21. Political commercials that strongly attack a rival candidate.






22. First Roman Catholic elected President.






23. The Supremacy Clause appears in ________________ of the Constitution.






24. 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.






25. Permitted court authorized wire-tapping and bugging by federal - state - and local authorities and use of such evidence in trial. Later reversed by the Supreme Court based on 4th Amendment rights.






26. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






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






28. 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.






29. Compromise between the large states and small states that established the bicameral Legislature consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Also included 3/5 compromise on the status of slaves in representation.






30. Established by President Hoover - It is the _______________ job to keep the press informed and orchestrate press conferences






31. A provision of the Federal Communications Act that requires broadcasters to provide the same amount of exposure to all legally qualified political candidates.






32. 1940 Act Prohibiting any person from advocating overthrowing the government through violence or force.






33. Legislature bills that affect all citizens.






34. The principle that the government - as provided in the Fifth Amendment - can take property for 'public use' with 'just compensation' to the owners.






35. Spending determined by the number of qualified recipients and their legally determined need is called






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






37. The action - or actions - taken by government to carry out a policy.






38. Constitutional protection of the accused to not be tried for the same crime twice.






39. Serious crimes - such as murder - arson - or rape.






40. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 required states in the covered jurisdiction to attain _________________ from the Attorney General before making changes to voting standards - practice - or procedure






41. Organization of individuals with similar policy goals who enter the political process to influence legislation that affects the organizations interests






42. By far - the largest amount of federal aid to state and local governments comes in the form of:






43. An act of legislature declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing them without benefit of a trial. Constitutionally prohibited.






44. The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents - such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.






45. Head of the Supreme Court.






46. A system in which national and state governments are competitors with distinct powers. This system was prominent in the US from the during the 19th century until 1937.






47. This term refers to the gain in the polls that a candidate often enjoys after a national convention






48. A place of work in which only union members may be hired.






49. A loose grouping of people and organizations who seek to influence policy formation.






50. Plan that proposed bicameral legislature where states were to have representation based on size in both houses.