Page 1 of 189 1 CLEP AMERICAN GOVERNMENT EXAM LATEST VERSIONS 2024 -2025 TESTBANK ALL 350 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS JUST RELEASED CLEP American Government EXAM The U.S. Constitution introduced the idea of federalism to divide power between/among - ANSWER -the national and state governments. On J uly 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 consens us 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 gr anting 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 (PAC s) 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. Page 2 of 189 2 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 e stablished 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 an d approve treaties? Historically, major political parties have been able to exercise their authority mostly by - ANSWER -nominating candidates for public office. High approval ratings can benefit a president in which of the following ways? - ANSWER -By encouraging the passage of laws the president supports Which of the following is an example of the system of checks and balances set up by the U.S. Constitution? - ANSWER -The U.S. Senate denies confirmation of a presidential appointee. Page 3 of 189 3 All of the following forms of voting are in use in the United States except: - ANSWER -Internet voting Which of these was an effect of the Watergate scandal? - ANSWER -U.S. cynicism about the federal government increased noticeably. How did the ruling in Barron v. Baltimore af fect the United States? - ANSWER -It stated that the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government. Which statement best explains why this bill eventually became law? (58 Democrat voted yes. 0 No. 39 Republicans voted no, 0 yes. 2 independents vote s yes, 0 no.) - ANSWER -The U.S. Constitution favors majority rule in lawmaking. Which statement best explains the voter turnout rates shown in this chart? - ANSWER -High -
stimulus elections tend to generate greater voter interest and raise turnout. An election in which Republicans can help choose Democratic nominees and vice versa is known as a/an - ANSWER -open primary. Which of the following two U.S. institutions have the formal power to legislate? - ANSWER -
House of Representatives and Senate Whic h Supreme Court case affirmed the power of judicial review? - ANSWER -Marbury v. Madison Which of the following is most closely associated with a tendency to vote for liberal Democratic candidates and issues? - ANSWER -High level of education Page 4 of 189 4 What is a fai thless elector? - ANSWER -A member of the Electoral College who votes for a candidate other than the one he or she has pledged to vote for Those who argued for the inclusion of a series of defined individual liberties as a condition for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution drew inspiration largely from the - ANSWER -English Bill of Rights. Which of these is the original constitutionally assigned duty of the vice -president? - ANSWER -
Serving as president of the Senate Which of the following positions is at the top of the leadership of the House of Representatives? - ANSWER -Speake r The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are an example of a/an - ANSWER -527 committee. Which statement best describes the relationship between the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution? - ANSWER -The U.S. Constitution sought to correct the problems caused by the Articles' limitations on the powers of the national government. In the United States, the use of due process of law most directly assures that citizens - ANSWE R-cannot be imprisoned without a fair trial. The chairperson of a standing congressional committee is generally determined by - ANSWER -
party membership and seniority. In the United States, third parties often serve all of the following functions except: - ANSWER -
Engaging in mainstream governance In politics, to what does the term revolving door refer? - ANSWER -The practice of bureaucrats becoming lobbyists to the agencies for which they once worked
stimulus elections tend to generate greater voter interest and raise turnout. An election in which Republicans can help choose Democratic nominees and vice versa is known as a/an - ANSWER -open primary. Which of the following two U.S. institutions have the formal power to legislate? - ANSWER -
House of Representatives and Senate Whic h Supreme Court case affirmed the power of judicial review? - ANSWER -Marbury v. Madison Which of the following is most closely associated with a tendency to vote for liberal Democratic candidates and issues? - ANSWER -High level of education Page 4 of 189 4 What is a fai thless elector? - ANSWER -A member of the Electoral College who votes for a candidate other than the one he or she has pledged to vote for Those who argued for the inclusion of a series of defined individual liberties as a condition for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution drew inspiration largely from the - ANSWER -English Bill of Rights. Which of these is the original constitutionally assigned duty of the vice -president? - ANSWER -
Serving as president of the Senate Which of the following positions is at the top of the leadership of the House of Representatives? - ANSWER -Speake r The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are an example of a/an - ANSWER -527 committee. Which statement best describes the relationship between the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution? - ANSWER -The U.S. Constitution sought to correct the problems caused by the Articles' limitations on the powers of the national government. In the United States, the use of due process of law most directly assures that citizens - ANSWE R-cannot be imprisoned without a fair trial. The chairperson of a standing congressional committee is generally determined by - ANSWER -
party membership and seniority. In the United States, third parties often serve all of the following functions except: - ANSWER -
Engaging in mainstream governance In politics, to what does the term revolving door refer? - ANSWER -The practice of bureaucrats becoming lobbyists to the agencies for which they once worked
