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 ______________________ were formed to unite the colonists against Britain.






2. Charge of misconduct brought against a government official.






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






4. Laws must be reasonable. The Supreme Court has abandoned this concept in regards to business matters citing that it is the responsibility of Congress to regulate economic matters. The court has continued to apply this to matters of civil liberties an






5. First civil rights organization to use non-violent tactics to promote racial equality and desegregation






6. This 1932 case established that a case can be too speedy and under-counseled - providing defendants in a capital case the right to a reasonable amount of time to establish a defense.






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






8. In Argersinger v. Hamlin (1972) - the Supreme Court extended the right to counsel to those accused of misdemeanors if the defendant is _____________.






9. 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






10. A relaxation of international tensions.






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






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






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






14. Which of the following factors is likely to be the weakest indicator of an individual's political beliefs and opinions? Age - Race - Intelligence - or Religion






15. A tax on voting abolished by the Twenty-fourth Amendment in 1964 - long used by southern states to keep blacks (and - in some cases - poor whites) from participating in elections.






16. 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.






17. First step in the Policy Making Cycle.






18. Corporations formed by the government to act as a business to produce a product or service. Often monopolies with varying degrees of independence.






19. A system in which the national government sets requirements that are then implemented by state and local governments.






20. During the period from 1976 to 1824 - This party was lead by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. They wanted a stronger national government that would rectify the pitfalls of the Articles of Confederation. Their supporters held a stronghold in New






21. The Supreme Court holds _____________ jurisdiction in cases against the US - ambassadors - public ministers - and consuls.






22. A group of high-level administrators and managers at the top of the government bureaucracy. SES members have less job tenure but are eligible for substantial cash bonuses for merit.






23. The strongest factor contributing to an individual's political socialization tends to be






24. The formal source of all authority in each major political party. It nominates the party candidates for president and vice president - writes a platform - settles disputes - writes rules - and elects the members of the national committee.






25. Established national income tax.






26. 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.






27. According to V. O. Key - Jr. - the Populist Party of the 1890s is an example of a ____________________.






28. 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






29. In his classic study of community power in New Haven - Connecticut - political scientist Robert A. Dahl concluded that the city was a __________ system dominated by many different sets of leaders






30. Which historical figure described democracy as 'the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time?'






31. This group of voters historically supported Republicans - a party founded on an anti-slavery platform. During the 1930's they began supporting the New Deal policies of the Democratic party.






32. First governing document of the Plymouth Colony establishing freedom of religion.






33. ___________ vote in both the House and Senate may override a Presidential veto of legislation.






34. This 1964 case established strict standards for proving slander and libel - court must prove intent of malice on the part of the publisher.






35. Independent agencies governed by an appointed and confirmed commission. Examples include the Food and Drug Administration - Environmental Protection Agency - and the Securities and Exchange Commission.






36. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






37. A group of people - chosen by poll-takers - that is representative of the universe that is being polled.






38. In the 1990 case OR State Employment Division v. Smith 1990 - the Supreme court allowed the state to fire employees who use peyote during native American religious ceremonies because it is in violation of drug laws. In this case - which clause of the






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






40. A judicial opinion agreed to by a majority of the members of a court. A majority opinion sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.






41. While the verbiage of the 4th Amendment is vague as to what constitutes 'reasonable'. Police departments must rely on _____________; they cannot act on unfounded suspicion.






42. The expression of attitudes about government and politics.






43. The constitutional requirement (in article II - sec 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed - even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws






44. 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.






45. Largest interest group in the US.






46. An ideology that advocates limits on government power to address economic and social problems - relying instead on economic markets and individual initiative to address problems like health care and education - while promoting government involvement






47. The European political philosophers whose writings influenced the concepts of liberty and government contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution belonged to the intellectual and cultural movement known as






48. The structure and set of regulations in place to control activity - usually in large organizations and government. it is represented by standardized procedure (rule-following) that dictates the execution of most or all processes within the body - for






49. Committees appointed for investigative or crisis situations.






50. Voter turnout is usually ____________ when there is a binding referendum on the ballot.