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 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.






2. A meeting of party leaders to select candidates - elect convention delegates - etc






3. Law enacted by Congress - or by state legislatures or local legislative bodies.






4. Belief in the value of strong government to provide economic secruity and protection for civil rights - combined with a belief in personal freedom from government intervention in social conduct






5. Multi-interest and often multinational corporations that - under one corporate roof - may manufacture a wide variety of products.






6. 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.






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






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






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






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






11. Number of current cabinet positions under GW Bush.






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






13. A system - until modified and reformed in the 1970s - that automatically resulted in the selection as committee chair of those members of the majority party in Congress who had the longest continuous service on a committee.






14. Laws must be administered in a fair manner.






15. 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.






16. The most important committees - always assembled and delegated with the responsibility of handling all bills under their concern. Includes the Ways and Means - Appropriations - Budget - Rules and Agriculture Committees.






17. The concept that all people are of equal worth - even if not of equal ability.






18. Guaranteed women the right to vote.






19. Executive check on Legislative Branch.






20. An unwritten custom by which individual senators who belong to the same political party as the president exercise an informal veto power over presidential appointments in their states.






21. This article of the Constitution establishes the Executive Branch.






22. These voters tend to have a high voter turnout because of their strong since of civic duty due to growing up during an era of political and civil unrest.






23. Cabinet department responsible for managing school lunch programs and food safety. Established in 1862.






24. According to the Constitution - the electors in the Electoral College shall be appointed in a manner to be determined by the






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






26. The estimated number of illegal aliens living in the US.






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






28. Proponents of limited government - unregulated free markets - national self-reliance - and conventional social values are best describes as






29. There are 11 circuit ____________________ who have no original jurisdiction.






30. The fundamental rights of a free society that are protected by the Bill of Rights against the power of the government - such as freedom of speech - religion - press - and assembly.






31. Designed to protect the individual against the arbitrary power of the state.






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






33. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






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






35. 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.






36. The possible tendency of some voters or convention delegates to support the candidate who is leading in the polls and seems likely to win.






37. The federal fiscal year begins ___________.






38. During Presidential election years or when the nation is divided on policy agenda - particularly regarding salient issues - voter turnout is _____________






39. Baby boomers - women - and voters with higher levels of education tend to have a ____________ voter turnout.






40. The Constitution requires that state governments - like the federal government - must be _____________ in form - with final authority resting with the people.






41. The Immigration Act of 1965 abolished the practice of _______________ allowing more diversity among immigrants.






42. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






43. Elections in which the majority party (according to party identification) is defeated in a temporary reversal.






44. The sum of the goals - decisions - and actions that govern a nation's relations with the rest of the world.






45. To an extent - the press and the government have a relationship that is _______________ and mutually dependent.






46. The pursuit and exercise of power






47. Makes sure that funds are used safely and wisely. They oversee the state's financial records






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






49. _____________ was the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants (most notably the Irish) rise up in American politics from the 1790s to the 1960s.






50. Presides over the Senate without voting privileges except in the case of a tie.