Practice Test for CLEP Exam

What is the primary function of political parties?

To nominate candidates and structure political debate

What is an example of checks and balances?

The President vetoing a bill passed by Congress

What is the main role of the legislative branch?

To make laws

What was a key weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The federal government lacked the power to tax

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

By a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

To protect individual freedoms from government interference

The Necessary and Proper Clause is also known as what?

The Elastic Clause

What is the process called when the Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional?

Judicial review

Which chamber of Congress has the power to impeach the president?

The House of Representatives

Which chamber of Congress holds the trial for an impeachment?

The Senate

Who has the power to regulate interstate commerce?

Congress

What Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison

What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

To formally select the President and Vice President

How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?

270

What is the primary responsibility of the executive branch?

To enforce laws

Who is responsible for foreign policy and negotiating treaties?

The President

Which amendment gave women the right to vote?

19th Amendment

Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

26th Amendment

Which amendment abolished poll taxes?

24th Amendment

Which Supreme Court case legalized abortion in the first trimester?

Roe v. Wade

What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court

What is the term length for a U.S. Supreme Court Justice?

Lifetime appointment

What was the main argument of the Anti-Federalists against the Constitution?

Lack of a Bill of Rights

Which article of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch?

Article I

Which article of the Constitution establishes the executive branch?

Article II

Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?

Article III

Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

What is the supremacy clause?

Federal law takes precedence over state law

What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?

Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states

What is the primary function of interest groups?

To influence public policy and legislation

What does the term "incumbent" mean in elections?

A candidate who currently holds office

What is gerrymandering?

Manipulating district boundaries to favor one political party

What is the role of the Speaker of the House?

To preside over the House of Representatives

What is the role of the Senate Majority Leader?

To set the Senate's legislative agenda

Which house of Congress confirms presidential appointments?

The Senate

What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?

6 years

What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?

2 years

What is the term length for the President?

4 years

Which amendment limits the President to two terms?

22nd Amendment

Which amendment provides for presidential succession?

25th Amendment

What is the establishment clause?

Prevents the government from establishing a national religion

What is the free exercise clause?

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely

Which amendment guarantees the right to bear arms?

2nd Amendment

Which amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures?

4th Amendment

Which Supreme Court case ruled that schools cannot sponsor prayer?

Engel v. Vitale

Which Supreme Court case required police to inform suspects of their rights?

Miranda v. Arizona

Which Supreme Court case ruled that separate but equal was unconstitutional?

Brown v. Board of Education

Which Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty?

Gregg v. Georgia

Which Supreme Court case limited Congress' use of the Commerce Clause?

United States v. Lopez

Which case ruled that flag burning is protected speech?

Texas v. Johnson

Which case ruled that states must provide attorneys for defendants who can't afford them?

Gideon v. Wainwright

What is a filibuster?

A tactic used in the Senate to delay a vote by extending debate

What is cloture?

A Senate rule that ends a filibuster with a three-fifths majority vote

What is the role of the Federal Reserve?

To regulate monetary policy and interest rates

What is fiscal policy?

Government policy related to taxation and spending

What is monetary policy?

Regulation of the money supply and interest rates by the Federal Reserve

What is the main source of revenue for the federal government?

Income taxes

What is the national debt?

The total amount of money the government owes

What is the purpose of the War Powers Act?

To limit the President’s ability to deploy troops without congressional approval

What is judicial activism?

The belief that courts should interpret the Constitution based on modern circumstances

What is judicial restraint?

The belief that courts should defer to elected officials and avoid policy-making

What is the iron triangle?

The relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies

What is the revolving door?

The movement of individuals between government jobs and lobbying positions

What are earmarks?

Federal funds designated for specific local projects

What is pork barrel spending?

Government spending directed at specific districts to gain political support

What is an executive order?

A presidential directive that carries the force of law without congressional approval

What is executive privilege?

The President's ability to withhold information from Congress or the courts

What is the purpose of a signing statement?

To express the President's interpretation of a bill when signing it into law

What is the role of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?

To prepare the federal budget and monitor government spending

What is the role of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)?

To provide nonpartisan economic analysis to Congress

What is the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?

To allow citizens access to government documents

What is the Hatch Act?

A law that limits political activities of government employees

What is the role of the Council of Economic Advisors?

To advise the President on economic policy

What is the Electoral College?

The system used to elect the President of the United States

What is a swing state?

A state that is closely contested in presidential elections

What is the coattail effect?

The influence of a popular presidential candidate on congressional elections

What is a midterm election?

Congressional elections that occur midway through a President’s term

What is a caucus?

A meeting of party members to select candidates or decide policy

What is an open primary?

A primary election where voters do not need to be party members

What is the delegate model of representation?

Representatives act according to the wishes of their constituents

What is the trustee model of representation?

Representatives use their own judgment when making decisions

What is the partisan model of representation?

Representatives act in accordance with their political party

What is agenda setting?

The media's ability to influence which issues receive public attention

What is the bandwagon effect?

When people support a candidate because they appear to be popular

What is the supremacy clause?

Establishes that federal law overrides state law

What is the Commerce Clause?

Grants Congress the power to regulate interstate and international commerce

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its powers

What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?

Requires states to recognize the laws and records of other states

What is selective incorporation?

The gradual application of the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment

What is judicial implementation?

The process by which court decisions are translated into policy

What is the impeachment process?

The House brings charges, and the Senate holds a trial to decide removal