CLEP American Government Exam Questions & Answers –
Certified for Accuracy 2025/2026
Which of the following interest groups might make use of litigation rather than
lobbying to advance their interests?
a. Prisoners b. Unions c. Corporations d. Senior Citizens e. Educators -
correct answer The correct answer is A. Although organizations such as the
American Civil Liberties Union lobby for prisoners' rights, litigation remains the
most viable tactic for the majority of inmates.
Which of the following were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
I. The government lacked the power to compel states to honor national
obligations.
II. The government had no powers of taxation.
III. It failed to provide the authority to negotiate peace with England.
a. I only b. I and II c. I, II, and III d. II and III e. III only - correct answer The
correct answer is B. The Articles of Confederation provided for a weak
national government without powers of taxation or the ability to force reluctant
states to live up to their obligations. However, it did provide for a unified
foreign policy and the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
The number of representatives from each state to serve in the House of
Representatives is determined by the
a. State Legislatures; state legislatures then define congressional voting
districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme
Court. b. Congress; state legislatures then define congressional voting
districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme
Court. c. Department of Commerce's decennial census; federal district courts
then determine the congressional districts within the states. d. Department of
State's decennial census; federal district courts then determine the
congressional districts within the states. e. Senate; state legislatures then
,define congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by
Congress and the Supreme Court. - correct answer The correct answer is
B. The Congress fixes the size of the House of Representatives and the
procedure to apportion House seats among the states. State legislatures are
then responsible for defining the voting districts that will elect congressional
representatives. The Supreme Court and Congress try to limit redistricting and
reapportionment that appears to be enacted for purely political ends. Although
Congress uses data from the Department of Commerce's census, the
Department itself plays no role in the process.
Which of the following statements about Miranda v. Arizona is correct?
a. It declared segregation by race unconstitutional. b. It granted women the
same voting rights as men. c. It declared the recitation of the Pledge of the
Union unconstitutional. d. It required that citizens be informed of their rights
when being placed under arrest. e. It declared that a woman's reproductive
rights were included in the conception of the right to privacy. - correct
answer The correct answer is C. The only statement that can be reasonably
inferred is the one that puts net interest payments (13%) higher than Medicaid
spending (9%).
Which of the following statements about Miranda v. Arizona is correct?
a. It declared segregation by race unconstitutional. b. It granted women the
same voting rights as men. c. It declared the recitation of the Pledge of the
Union unconstitutional. d. It required that citizens be informed of their rights
when being placed under arrest. e. It declared that a woman's reproductive
rights were included in the conception of the right to privacy. - correct
answer The correct answer is D. The Miranda decision required that
arresting officers read a statement describing the defendant's due process
rights. These rights include the right to an attorney and the right to remain
silent.
All of the following are reason why incumbent representatives usually win re-
election to Congress EXCEPT:
, a. Incumbents use franking privileges to communicate with voters. b.
Incumbents generate good will by getting "pork barrel" projects for their
districts. c. Incumbents have large staffs to work on constituency relations. d.
Incumbents always benefit from congressional redistricting. e. Incumbents
receive the most money from special interest groups. - correct answer The
correct answer is D. Representatives often lose support if their party is in
control of their home state's legislature when redistricting occurs.
Which of the following is a duty of the President of the United States?
a. Overseeing special congressional committees b. Determining interest rates
c. Drafting state budgets for federal programs d. Impeaching Supreme Court
Justices e. Appointing representatives to foreign countries - correct answer
The correct answer is E. The President is responsible for appointing
ambassadors to other nations across the world, including an ambassador to
the United Nations.
The concept embodied in the Constitution of separating the legislative,
executive, and judicial functions of government was promoted by which
philosopher?
a. Baron de Montesquieu b. David Hume c. John Locke d. Sir Isaac Newton
e. Sir Francis Bacon - correct answer The correct answer is A.
Montesquieu argued for the specialization and balancing of governmental
powers. Like Locke, Montesquieu's thinking greatly influenced America's
emerging democracy.
All bills to raise government revenue must originate in the
a. House of Representatives. b. Senate. c. Senate Budget Committee. d.
Department of the Treasury. e. Internal Revenue Service. - correct answer
The correct answer is A. The Constitution gives only the House of
Representatives the right to introduce legislation to raise government
, revenues. Departments and agencies may provide input on legislation under
consideration, but they cannot introduce legislation. The Senate cannot
introduce bills to raise government revenue.
All of the following are Constitutional checks on executive power EXCEPT
a. the Senate must approve international treaties. b. the Senate must confirm
judicial appointees. c. Congress has the power to impeach the president. d.
the President cannot propose legislation. e. the Judiciary can declare
Executive actions unconstitutional. - correct answer The correct answer is
D. Much of the legislation enacted by Congress is proposed by the Executive.
The other answer choices are constitutional checks that limit the powers of the
Executive and protect the nation from tyranny.
The view that the Supreme Court should interpret the Constitution or laws to
advance social goals is known as
a. judicial activism. b. judicial restraint. c. judicial review. d. judicial
conservatism. e. judicial liberalism. - correct answer The correct answer is
A. Judicial activism is the philosophy that judges in the federal court system
can and should seek to address important social issues that elected officials
have not addressed. This is typically done by carefully choosing to hear cases
in which a decision will right a perceived social wrong. The opposite judicial
philosophy is known as judicial restraint.
Which of the following is not a standing committee of the United States
Congress?
a. Agriculture b. Appropriations c. Veterans' Affairs d. Investigations e. Budget
- correct answer The correct answer is D. There is no committee for
investigations, although Congress may create committees to conduct
investigations if the need arises. All of the other answer choices are standing
(permanent) committees of both the House and Senate.
Certified for Accuracy 2025/2026
Which of the following interest groups might make use of litigation rather than
lobbying to advance their interests?
a. Prisoners b. Unions c. Corporations d. Senior Citizens e. Educators -
correct answer The correct answer is A. Although organizations such as the
American Civil Liberties Union lobby for prisoners' rights, litigation remains the
most viable tactic for the majority of inmates.
Which of the following were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
I. The government lacked the power to compel states to honor national
obligations.
II. The government had no powers of taxation.
III. It failed to provide the authority to negotiate peace with England.
a. I only b. I and II c. I, II, and III d. II and III e. III only - correct answer The
correct answer is B. The Articles of Confederation provided for a weak
national government without powers of taxation or the ability to force reluctant
states to live up to their obligations. However, it did provide for a unified
foreign policy and the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
The number of representatives from each state to serve in the House of
Representatives is determined by the
a. State Legislatures; state legislatures then define congressional voting
districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme
Court. b. Congress; state legislatures then define congressional voting
districts acting within constraints set down by Congress and the Supreme
Court. c. Department of Commerce's decennial census; federal district courts
then determine the congressional districts within the states. d. Department of
State's decennial census; federal district courts then determine the
congressional districts within the states. e. Senate; state legislatures then
,define congressional voting districts acting within constraints set down by
Congress and the Supreme Court. - correct answer The correct answer is
B. The Congress fixes the size of the House of Representatives and the
procedure to apportion House seats among the states. State legislatures are
then responsible for defining the voting districts that will elect congressional
representatives. The Supreme Court and Congress try to limit redistricting and
reapportionment that appears to be enacted for purely political ends. Although
Congress uses data from the Department of Commerce's census, the
Department itself plays no role in the process.
Which of the following statements about Miranda v. Arizona is correct?
a. It declared segregation by race unconstitutional. b. It granted women the
same voting rights as men. c. It declared the recitation of the Pledge of the
Union unconstitutional. d. It required that citizens be informed of their rights
when being placed under arrest. e. It declared that a woman's reproductive
rights were included in the conception of the right to privacy. - correct
answer The correct answer is C. The only statement that can be reasonably
inferred is the one that puts net interest payments (13%) higher than Medicaid
spending (9%).
Which of the following statements about Miranda v. Arizona is correct?
a. It declared segregation by race unconstitutional. b. It granted women the
same voting rights as men. c. It declared the recitation of the Pledge of the
Union unconstitutional. d. It required that citizens be informed of their rights
when being placed under arrest. e. It declared that a woman's reproductive
rights were included in the conception of the right to privacy. - correct
answer The correct answer is D. The Miranda decision required that
arresting officers read a statement describing the defendant's due process
rights. These rights include the right to an attorney and the right to remain
silent.
All of the following are reason why incumbent representatives usually win re-
election to Congress EXCEPT:
, a. Incumbents use franking privileges to communicate with voters. b.
Incumbents generate good will by getting "pork barrel" projects for their
districts. c. Incumbents have large staffs to work on constituency relations. d.
Incumbents always benefit from congressional redistricting. e. Incumbents
receive the most money from special interest groups. - correct answer The
correct answer is D. Representatives often lose support if their party is in
control of their home state's legislature when redistricting occurs.
Which of the following is a duty of the President of the United States?
a. Overseeing special congressional committees b. Determining interest rates
c. Drafting state budgets for federal programs d. Impeaching Supreme Court
Justices e. Appointing representatives to foreign countries - correct answer
The correct answer is E. The President is responsible for appointing
ambassadors to other nations across the world, including an ambassador to
the United Nations.
The concept embodied in the Constitution of separating the legislative,
executive, and judicial functions of government was promoted by which
philosopher?
a. Baron de Montesquieu b. David Hume c. John Locke d. Sir Isaac Newton
e. Sir Francis Bacon - correct answer The correct answer is A.
Montesquieu argued for the specialization and balancing of governmental
powers. Like Locke, Montesquieu's thinking greatly influenced America's
emerging democracy.
All bills to raise government revenue must originate in the
a. House of Representatives. b. Senate. c. Senate Budget Committee. d.
Department of the Treasury. e. Internal Revenue Service. - correct answer
The correct answer is A. The Constitution gives only the House of
Representatives the right to introduce legislation to raise government
, revenues. Departments and agencies may provide input on legislation under
consideration, but they cannot introduce legislation. The Senate cannot
introduce bills to raise government revenue.
All of the following are Constitutional checks on executive power EXCEPT
a. the Senate must approve international treaties. b. the Senate must confirm
judicial appointees. c. Congress has the power to impeach the president. d.
the President cannot propose legislation. e. the Judiciary can declare
Executive actions unconstitutional. - correct answer The correct answer is
D. Much of the legislation enacted by Congress is proposed by the Executive.
The other answer choices are constitutional checks that limit the powers of the
Executive and protect the nation from tyranny.
The view that the Supreme Court should interpret the Constitution or laws to
advance social goals is known as
a. judicial activism. b. judicial restraint. c. judicial review. d. judicial
conservatism. e. judicial liberalism. - correct answer The correct answer is
A. Judicial activism is the philosophy that judges in the federal court system
can and should seek to address important social issues that elected officials
have not addressed. This is typically done by carefully choosing to hear cases
in which a decision will right a perceived social wrong. The opposite judicial
philosophy is known as judicial restraint.
Which of the following is not a standing committee of the United States
Congress?
a. Agriculture b. Appropriations c. Veterans' Affairs d. Investigations e. Budget
- correct answer The correct answer is D. There is no committee for
investigations, although Congress may create committees to conduct
investigations if the need arises. All of the other answer choices are standing
(permanent) committees of both the House and Senate.
