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 right of the Supreme Court - under the Constitution - to hear certain kinds of cases directly - such as cases involving foreign diplomats - or cases in which one of the 50 states is a party.






2. Something given in exchange for something else; swap






3. When neither political party is dominant.






4. In this essay - James Madison recognized that reconciling the competing interests of various groups was what legislation was all about






5. The power to tax is an example of _______________ powers.






6. 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






7. Each Senate committee may have ________ subcommittees.






8. Independent organizations - but more often the political arms of corporations - labor unions - or interest groups - established to contribute to candidates or to work for general political goals.






9. The net balance or relationship between total income and total expenditures by the nation in its dealings with the rest of the world - including trade - loans - and investments.






10. The state officer typically responsible for overseeing federal elections at the state level is the






11. Guarantees the right to bare arms.






12. Presidential management model requiring the President to have strong leadership skills and a keen eye for detail. FDR and JFK were well known for this style of leadership.






13. First Roman Catholic elected President.






14. Prompted by the ____________________ - the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.






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






16. Law intended to promote free competition in the market place by outlawing monopolies






17. The case of Gregg v. Georgia set the precedent for a ________________ system in which guilt and sentencing and tried separately.






18. 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.






19. A decision of the Supreme Court cannot be ___________.






20. 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.






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






22. According to the Speedy Trial Act of 1974 - federal trials must commence within _______ days of arrest with the exception of delay for mental health testing of the defendant and illness of the defendant or key witness.






23. A controversial law overwhelmingly passed by Congress in October 2001 - after the terrorist attacks of September 11 on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It greatly expanded the power of federal law enforcement authorities to move against suspe






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






25. Economists generally agree that the major responsibility for promoting prosperity and full employment falls on ________________.






26. Elections that reflect the basic party identification of the voters.






27. Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial.






28. The main mechanism used by modern political parties to nominate their candidate for President.






29. 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.






30. This 1st amendment clause prohibits the government from making any law prohibiting the exercise of any religion






31. The name commonly given to a private group - regardless of size - organized to elect political candidates. An organization becomes one by receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1 -000 for the purpose of influencing a federal ele






32. Members of this party typically include Conservative Christian groups - higher socio-economic classes - middle-class white collar - and suburban voters.






33. Presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Position awarded to the longest serving Senator from the majority party. 3rd in line of succession for the Presidency.






34. Tips the balance between two leading candidates by attracting a minority of voters who otherwise might have voted for one of the leading candidates.






35. Legislature bills that affect all citizens.






36. Powers specifically outlined in the Constitution as assigned to one branch of government.






37. Laws on Schools - Marriage - and owning property;Licensee Lawyers - Doctors - and Teachers.






38. In states using primaries - the most common form of primary election is the ___________ primary.






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






40. The coming to power of a new coalition - replacing an old dominant coalition of the other party






41. Congress' first step towards allocating funds






42. A philosophy that the Supreme Court should avoid constitutional questions when possible and uphold acts of Congress unless they clearly violate a specific section of the Constitution.






43. The house armed services and foreign affairs committees each have ___ subcommittees.






44. Smith v. Allwight (1994) was the first vase in which the Supreme Court upheld the voting rights of _____________ in state primary elections.






45. Number of Senators elected at large per state -






46. 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.






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






48. How groups form and organize to pursue their goals or objectives - including how to get individuals and groups to participate and cooperate.






49. A device that allows the House of Representatives to conduct its business with fewer restrictions on debate and a quorum of only 100 members.






50. 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.