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






2. Cabinet department that includes the Coast Guard - Border Patrol - FEMA - Transportation Security Administration - INS and the Secret Service. Established in 2001 in response to 9/11.






3. In Johnson v. Texas (1989) - the Supreme Court ruled that burning the flag in a manner that does not pose a threat to people or property is allowed as this type of freedom of speech.






4. 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.






5. The kinds of cases that a court has the authority to decide.






6. The average voter turnout between 1960 and 2004 was __________ percent






7. Germany - Switzerland - and India are examples of countries with a _______________ system of government.






8. Libel - obscenity - fighting words - and commercial speech - which are not entitled to constitutional protection in all circumstances.






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






10. Included are Agriculture - Nutrition - and Forestry; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking - Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce - Science and Transportation; Energy and Natural Resources; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Health - Education -






11. First Executive Branch






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






13. Held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.






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






15. 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






16. Private groups that attempt to influence the government to respond to the shared attitudes of their members.






17. Committees that pull members from both the house and the senate who meet to discuss major policy issues such as economy and taxation.






18. He United States Constitution was opposed by which group?






19. This 1689 English Document made the monarch






20. 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.






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






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






23. 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






24. Special courts assigned to deal with specific legislative issues such as taxes - military appeals - and international trade.






25. Today the South is is a two-party battleground - in which the ______________ often have the upper hand






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






27. Control of a market by a single company.






28. Form of government in which the people are sovereign but their power is exercised by their elected representatives.






29. An act of legislature declaring a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing them without benefit of a trial. Constitutionally prohibited.






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






31. The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents - such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.






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. Most modern political scientists believe there is ________________ between politics and government.






34. This author of Leviathon posited that government is necessary because people are generally in a state of conflict.






35. After the bill reaches the house floor - if opponents have many changes - they may vote to ______________________.






36. 14th Amendment is often used to support the right to ____________.






37. 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.






38. The concept that political power rests with the people who can create - alter - and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in government






39. A philosophy that Supreme Court justices and other judges should boldly apply the Constitution to social and political questions.






40. A procedure that in certain circumstances permits voters to remove elected state or local officials from office before their terms have expired.






41. These party members tend to be ideologues who put issues ahead of winning elections and withhold support from candidates who do not share their stance on issues. Very active in special interest groups and caucuses within the party. Willing to break a






42. Overturning unjust laws is the responsibility of _________________.






43. Provisions tacked on to a piece of legislation that are not relevant to the bill.






44. Redefined Presidential succession and disability.






45. In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the 1964 Civil Rights Act does not prohibit private affirmative action programs?






46. What occurs when government adopts a public policy that provides - or distributes - benefits to people or groups.






47. The only instance in which the government can prohibit religious activities






48. Signed the executive order banning segregation in the armed forces.






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






50. Petition that - if signed by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives - will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration