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. A system of _______________ - as in Italy - encourages the existence of many parties by allotting seats to competing candidates according to the percentage of votes they win.






2. The Supreme Court practice of applying most of the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment.






3. A law passed in 1966 that requires federal executive branch and regulatory agencies to make information available to journalists - scholars - and the public unless it falls into one of several confidential categories.






4. Executive Check on the Legislative Branch.






5. Powers of government that are specifically granted to the three branches of the federal government under the Constitution.






6. The FCC's equal time policy applies to _____________.






7. The uprising of farmers angered by crushing debt and taxes that revealed the failure of the Articles of Confederation.

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8. Responsible for determining which bills will be considered on the House floor - and when they will be considered.






9. In Congress - _____________ are informal organizations of individual congressional representatives with like interests or constituencies. Members work together to promote the interests of the groups they represent through legislation - policy - and p






10. In 1872 - Susan B Anthony was arrested in Rochester - New York for






11. A system of voter registration in which voters must register only once in their district.






12. Presidential management model in which the Chief of Staff plays a prominent role as the head of a military style chain of command. Used successfully by Reagan and Eisenhower.






13. This branch of government checks Bureaucracy through its control over the creation and elimination of agencies as well as its control over budget appropriations.






14. Unwritten law based on custom and tradition.






15. Congress defined the steps for the creation and admission of new states. It forbade slavery while the region remained a territory although citizens could legalize it. First congress would appoint a territorial governor and judges. Second as soon as 5






16. PACs may donate a ______________ amount of indirect or in-kind donations to a campaign. (Ex. placing ads to support their candidate)






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






18. Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people






19. 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






20. Judges in Legislative Courts serve _______ terms and do not require impeachment.






21. After analyzing 1 -795 platform pledges over a 10-year period - Gerald M. Pomper concluded that almost ____________ of these promises were fulfilled






22. In Schenck v. US (1919) - The Supreme Court ruled that government may prohibit speech that creates an immediate threat of criminal action. Essentially established different standards for speech during wartime than in peacetime. Thus - establishing th






23. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) - founded in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover to help combat the Great Depression - was the predecessor of which federal agencies?






24. Prohibits conviction of a crime that occurred before the act became illegal






25. The right to renounce one's citizenship.






26. This powerful House committee is in charge of determining under what rule other bills will come to the floor.






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






28. In Woodson v. North Carolina - the Supreme Court struck down mandatory sentencing of capital punishment as ______________________ because it does not allow for any discretion.






29. Test whereby the Supreme Court established criteria by which state may provide aid to religious groups.






30. The Supreme Court has ruled that Congress_________________ take away a person's citizenship unless it is freely renounced.






31. The 5th amendment protect against _____________.






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






33. The 19th Century __________ party platform was opposed to the spread of slavery - promoted preservation of the union - supported the abolition of slavery - and promoted post civil was reconstruction.






34. A joint committee of Congress established to help negotiate discrepancies and gain consensus between legislation passed in each house before sending the bill to the President.






35. The fundamental flaw in plural theory contends that pluralism weakens the backbone of democracy with too many common interest groups attempt to wield power - often leading to standstill because of unwillingness to compromise.






36. A group of people who try to influence policy agendas and whose ultimate goal is to run the government by getting their favorite candidates elected.






37. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is an example of an






38. In the view of W. Lance Bennett - the people who hold and express opinions are constantly changing - as are the issues and conditions to which the public responds. As a result - Bennett suggests that public opinion is______________.






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






40. Contacts - coalitions - and interactions across national boundaries






41. Department established in 1988 by President G.H. Bush.

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42. Cabinet positions must be ____________ by the Senate






43. Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.






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






45. Colonies controlled by the British king through governors appointed by him and through the king's veto power over colonial laws.






46. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.






47. Protects against unreasonable search and seizure.






48. Bills that benefit legislators' home districts - or powerful corporate contributors - with sometimes wasteful or unnecessary public works or other projects.






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






50. A broadly based coalition that attempts to gain control of the government by winning elections in order to exercise power and reward its members.