Test your basic knowledge |

CLEP Political Science Us

Subjects : clep, political-science
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. Implemented following the successful revolt of the British colonies in North America against imperial rule - the articles served as the national government from 1781-1787.






2. An effort by a gov't agency to block the publication of material it deems libelous or harmful in some other way; censorship.






3. A collection of essays expressing the political philosophy of the Founders and that were instrumental in bringing about the ratification of the Constitution.






4. An adviser to the court on some matter of law who is not a party to the case.






5. An agency of the United States government that is created by an act of Congress and is independent of the executive departments.






6. Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.






7. Allows the right to a legal representation in all felony cases.






8. Address banking problems and Americas Central Bank.






9. A survey of the origins and development of the political system in the United States from the colonial days to modern times with an emphasis on the Constitution - various political structures such as the legislative - executive - and judicial branche






10. Attended the Constitutional Convention and recorded the debate proceedings. Also contributed to the Federalist Papers.






11. The chief presiding officer of the HoR. The speaker is the most important party and House leader - can influence lefislative agenda - fate of individual pieces of legislation - and members positions with the House.






12. Gave an expansion of free speech. Money for candidates is a form of free speech by 1st amendment. Early 1970s.






13. Civil liberties are rights that individuals have against government. Among our civil liberties are the right to free expression - the right to worship (or not) as we choose - and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Only the






14. # of Cases the Supreme Court receives and hears






15. No arrest w/o probable cause - no improper searches and seizures.






16. A legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit.






17. % of votes to override a presidential veto






18. Regulation issued by the president that has the effect and formal status of legislation.






19. Congress because they're tied to the people.


20. The branch of the United States government that is responsible for carrying out the laws.






21. A practice in which banks refure to make loans to people living in certain geographic locations.






22. Who formalized the political science curriculum in the United States?






23. Most common job of Senators






24. de jure - 'by law'. Legally enforced practices - such as school segregation in the South before the 1960s. De facto - 'by fact'. Practices that occur even when there is no legal enforcement - such as school segregation in much of the US today.






25. 1978 supreme court decision holding that a state university could not admit less qualified individuals solely because of their race.






26. Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases.






27. The delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government).






28. One of the Civil War amendments; guaranteed equal protection and due process.






29. Writer of the Declaration of Independence.






30. WWll - 1941






31. A government agency that operates like a business corporation - created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.






32. Requires police to read the Miranda rights so they know they don't have to self incriminate.






33. No excessive bail and no cruel/unusual punishment.






34. High-ranking military officers who represent the Navy - Army - Air Force and Marines. They assist the civilian leaders of the Department of Defense-advise the president on security matters.






35. Powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the Constitution - but are inferred from it.


36. Makes gov't have heavy burden of proof to regulate & restrict speech.






37. An inability to regulate interstate and foreign trade - lack of a chief executive and a national court system - and its rule that amendments must be approved by unanimous consent.






38. % of House that get reelected






39. Interstate Commerce Commission 1887. Created over railroad problems.






40. Affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls and disputes between the states.






41. What document was heavily influenced by Locke's philosophies?






42. Temp. committees whose members are appointed by SotH and officer of the Senate. They are charged with reaching compromise on legislation once it has been passed by the House. Determine what laws are passed.






43. Congress has this power - only used twice.






44. Law should not punish speech unless there was a clear and present danger of producing harmful actions






45. Number of Supreme Court Justices






46. A case brought by someone to help him or her and all others who are similarly situated.






47. Delegate - member of Congress acts on the express preference of his constituents. Trustee - member is more loosely tied to constituents and makes the decisions she thinks best.






48. A symbol of the inability of the government to under the Articles of Confederation to maintain order.


49. Constitutional powers that are assigned to one governmental agency but that are exercised by another agency with the express permission of the first.






50. Legal requirement that the state must respect all of the legal rights that are owed to a person.