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






2. Disapproval of a bill by a chief executive - such as the president or a governor.






3. A study of Bennington College students in the 1930s illustrated that the influence of the family on political attitudes tends to ______________ as they grow older and come into contact with other groups.






4. (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.






5. First proposed in 1789 - this amendment passed in 1992 prohibits Congress from raising their own pay. Pay raises may not take affect until the beginning of the next term.






6. The ruling in this case provided that the government must prove a threat to national security in order to impose prior restraint.






7. Theory of democracy in which competition among common interest groups promote ideas to influence politics






8. Concept of the British statesman Edmund Burke that legislators should act according to their own consciences.






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






10. In addition to a quick and speedy trial - the 6th Amendment also guarantees ________________.






11. These voters are registered as a party member but only participate by voting in primary and general elections. Tend to vote straight-party ticket and follow the leads of local party officials.






12. The concentration of economic power in the hands of a relatively few large companies.






13. Number of Electoral College votes required to win the Presidency.






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






15. 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






16. A federal tax on imports.






17. A written opinion by some of the judges of a court which agrees with the majority of the court but might arrive there in a different manner.






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






19. Spending by the national committees of the political parties to support the election of congressional candidates is known as






20. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to release these until a majority of polling places had closed in each state






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






22. 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






23. If 10 days do not remain in session and the president does not sign an act of Congress - the bill __________.






24. Puerto Rico has ____________ status.






25. Included are Ways and Means - Veteran's Affairs - Transportation and Infrastructure - Standards of Official Conduct - Small Business - Science - Judiciary - Rules - Resources - Oversight of Government Reform - House Administration - Homeland Security






26. 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.






27. 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.






28. This author was highly influential on Thomas Jefferson - rejecting divine right - proposing that government is a social contract requiring the consent of the govern and establishing the concept of self-evident rights of life - liberty - and property.






29. Article II of the Constitution establishes the ______________ branch.






30. Broadly worded warrants used by British soldiers during colonial America to search for contraband and prevent smuggling.






31. In the mid-term elections following a President's inauguration - his party tends to ___________ seats in Congress.






32. The drawing of the lines of congressional districts - or of any other political district - in order to favor one political party or group over another.






33. Which committee assignments would confer the most power and influence on members of the Senate?






34. Amendment that delegated the election of Senators to popular vote.






35. Guarantees that any rights not explicitly outlined heretofore are reserved for the states.






36. Cabinet department that includes the FAA and the National Hwy Traffic Safety Administration. Established in 1966.






37. The number of ______________ a state receives is based on the number Representatives and Senators that the state has in Congress






38. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






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






40. Form of obstruction in the Senate where an attempt is made to infinitely extend debate upon a proposal in order to delay the progress or completely prevent a vote on the proposal taking place.






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






42. Requires that a suspect in a federal case be arraigned without unnecessary delay.






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






44. The federal department that administers programs that provide services to farmers (including research and soil conservation and efforts to stabilize the farming economy)






45. The spread of nuclear weapons to more nations.






46. Legislative opinions on a matter that do not require Presidential signature.






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






48. 1798 Act that criminalized speech that was derisive to the government. Later ruled unconstitutional - Andrew Jackson issued blanket pardon in 1801






49. Government regulation of the economy through its control over the supply of money and the cost and availability of credit. Controlled by the Federal Reserve Board.






50. Polls taken as people leave voting places. In the past - television networks sometimes used these polls to predict election outcomes before the polls close. In 1992 - the television networks agreed not to project the winner in a state until the major







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