CLEP AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TEST 1 NEWEST
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
The U.S. Constitution guarantees the protections of minority rights even while
allowing the majority to rule. Which amendment to the Constitution most supports
the protection of minority rights? - ANSWER: First Amendment
All of the following are major agents of political socialization except: - ANSWER:
Pollsters
What is the first formal step in the hearing of a case by the U.S. Supreme Court? -
ANSWER: The Court issues a writ of certiorari to lower courts.
All of the following features of U.S. politics support the dominance of the two-party
system except: - ANSWER: Political realignment
Which two political parties were the first to emerge in the United States? - ANSWER:
Democratic Republicans and Federalists
The purpose of the filibuster is to - ANSWER: delay or prevent the passage of laws.
"The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and
shall have the sole Power of Impeachment." - ANSWER: Checks and balances
Which Supreme Court case created the "clear and present danger" rule to test the
limits of free speech? - ANSWER: Schenck v. United States
Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress? - ANSWER: Suspend
habeas corpus
Which term best describes a polling distribution in which a graph of responses
resembles a bell curve? - ANSWER: Normal distribution
The chief of staff and national security advisor are both part of the - ANSWER:
Executive Office of the President.
The U.S. Constitution introduced the idea of federalism to divide power
between/among - ANSWER: the national and state governments.
On July 2, 1864, Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill. Congress adjourned, and
Lincoln did not sign the bill. Why did the bill fail to become law? - ANSWER: By not
signing the bill, Lincoln exercised the pocket veto.
, Which of these gives an example of a consensus opinion? (Source: All figures from
Gallup) - ANSWER: In 2011, 94% of Americans said that they had "some" or "a great
deal" of confidence in the military.
What was one way that the Fourteenth Amendment expanded rights in the United
States? - ANSWER: By granting equal protection under the law to African Americans
The act of seeking to influence members of government to support certain issues or
policies is known as - ANSWER: lobbying.
What is the main reason that the use of political action committees (PACs) has grown
since the 1970s? - ANSWER: Campaign finance laws prevent individuals from giving
large amounts of money directly to candidates.
Which type of federalism is closest to that laid out in the Tenth Amendment of the
U.S. Constitution? - ANSWER: Dual federalism
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known collectively as the -
ANSWER: Bill of Rights.
Politicians must pay attention to public opinion primarily because - ANSWER:
otherwise people may decide not to reelect them.
How did the Seventeenth Amendment change the process of U.S. government? -
ANSWER: It allowed for the direct election of senators.
On which concept of U.S. government did the Supreme Court overturn the doctrine
of "separate but equal" established in Plessy v. Ferguson? - ANSWER: Equal
protection
Which of the following is an example of progressive taxation? - ANSWER: Income
taxes
Offices of the federal bureaucracy are often concerned with - ANSWER: making rules
and regulations.
This structure of government established in the U.S. Constitution is known as
(Legislative, Executive, Judicial) - ANSWER: separation of powers.
The president makes treaties, and the Senate approves them. - ANSWER: How do
different members of the U.S. government work together to make and approve
treaties?
Historically, major political parties have been able to exercise their authority mostly
by - ANSWER: nominating candidates for public office.
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
The U.S. Constitution guarantees the protections of minority rights even while
allowing the majority to rule. Which amendment to the Constitution most supports
the protection of minority rights? - ANSWER: First Amendment
All of the following are major agents of political socialization except: - ANSWER:
Pollsters
What is the first formal step in the hearing of a case by the U.S. Supreme Court? -
ANSWER: The Court issues a writ of certiorari to lower courts.
All of the following features of U.S. politics support the dominance of the two-party
system except: - ANSWER: Political realignment
Which two political parties were the first to emerge in the United States? - ANSWER:
Democratic Republicans and Federalists
The purpose of the filibuster is to - ANSWER: delay or prevent the passage of laws.
"The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and
shall have the sole Power of Impeachment." - ANSWER: Checks and balances
Which Supreme Court case created the "clear and present danger" rule to test the
limits of free speech? - ANSWER: Schenck v. United States
Which of the following is NOT a power granted to Congress? - ANSWER: Suspend
habeas corpus
Which term best describes a polling distribution in which a graph of responses
resembles a bell curve? - ANSWER: Normal distribution
The chief of staff and national security advisor are both part of the - ANSWER:
Executive Office of the President.
The U.S. Constitution introduced the idea of federalism to divide power
between/among - ANSWER: the national and state governments.
On July 2, 1864, Congress passed the Wade-Davis Bill. Congress adjourned, and
Lincoln did not sign the bill. Why did the bill fail to become law? - ANSWER: By not
signing the bill, Lincoln exercised the pocket veto.
, Which of these gives an example of a consensus opinion? (Source: All figures from
Gallup) - ANSWER: In 2011, 94% of Americans said that they had "some" or "a great
deal" of confidence in the military.
What was one way that the Fourteenth Amendment expanded rights in the United
States? - ANSWER: By granting equal protection under the law to African Americans
The act of seeking to influence members of government to support certain issues or
policies is known as - ANSWER: lobbying.
What is the main reason that the use of political action committees (PACs) has grown
since the 1970s? - ANSWER: Campaign finance laws prevent individuals from giving
large amounts of money directly to candidates.
Which type of federalism is closest to that laid out in the Tenth Amendment of the
U.S. Constitution? - ANSWER: Dual federalism
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are known collectively as the -
ANSWER: Bill of Rights.
Politicians must pay attention to public opinion primarily because - ANSWER:
otherwise people may decide not to reelect them.
How did the Seventeenth Amendment change the process of U.S. government? -
ANSWER: It allowed for the direct election of senators.
On which concept of U.S. government did the Supreme Court overturn the doctrine
of "separate but equal" established in Plessy v. Ferguson? - ANSWER: Equal
protection
Which of the following is an example of progressive taxation? - ANSWER: Income
taxes
Offices of the federal bureaucracy are often concerned with - ANSWER: making rules
and regulations.
This structure of government established in the U.S. Constitution is known as
(Legislative, Executive, Judicial) - ANSWER: separation of powers.
The president makes treaties, and the Senate approves them. - ANSWER: How do
different members of the U.S. government work together to make and approve
treaties?
Historically, major political parties have been able to exercise their authority mostly
by - ANSWER: nominating candidates for public office.
