Vocab Quiz

Question 1

All key powers belong to the central government.

Answer 1

Unitary System

Question 2

The government divides power between the national and federal governments.

Answer 2

Federal System

Question 3

A loose union of independent states.

Answer 3

Confederacy

Question 4

One person has the authority to rule.

Answer 4

Autocracy

Question 5

A small group of leaders hold the power of government.

Answer 5

Oligarchy

Question 6

The voters elect representatives to run the government.

Answer 6

Republic

Question 7

The heads of certain families ruled the tribe in the earliest form of government.

Answer 7

Evolution Theory

Question 8

Governments emerged when all the people of a conquered area are forced to accept the authority of the invader.

Answer 8

Force Theory

Question 9

The agreement of the government to protect people and property.

Answer 9

Social Contract

Question 10

This is a court order that directs a prisoner to be brought before a judge to determine whether that prisoner’s detention is lawful.

Answer 10

Habeas Corpus

Question 11

The powers in the Constitution that are granted to citizens by the federal government.

Answer 11

Delegated Powers

Question 12

The powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Answer 12

Implied Powers

Question 13

The power of Congress to review the policies and programs of the Executive branch.

Answer 13

Oversight Function

Question 14

A law that would punish a person for something that wasn’t illegal when the crime was done.

Answer 14

Ex Post Facto

Question 15

Laws declaring a specific person for something that wasn’t illegal when the crime was done.

Answer 15

Bills of Attainder

Question 16

The power of the government to take private property for public use.

Answer 16

Eminent Domain

Question 17

The 1st Amendment guarantee that Congress will make no law establishing a specific religion for the country.

Answer 17

Establishment Clause

Question 18

The legal procedure through which a person accused of a crime who has fled to another state is returned to the state where the crime took place.

Answer 18

Extradition

Question 19

The authority of a trial court to hear a case from a lower court.

Answer 19

Appellate Jurisdiction

Question 20

The authority of a trial court to be the first to hear a case.

Answer 20

Original Jurisdiction

Question 21

The government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast.

Answer 21

Prior Restraint

Question 22

False speech intended to damage a person’s reputation.

Answer 22

Slander

Question 23

The written word intended to damage a person’s reputation.

Answer 23

Libel

Question 24

Several parties combine forces to obtain a majority.

Answer 24

Coalition Government

Question 25

Focuses exclusively on one major social, economic or moral issue.

Answer 25

Single Issue Parties

Question 26

Has a particular set of ideas about how to change society overall rather than focusing on a single issue.

Answer 26

Ideological Party

Question 27

Splits away from one of the major parties because of some disagreement.

Answer 27

Splinter Party

Question 28

No matter how many candidates compete in a district, only one will win.

Answer 28

Single Member District

Question 29

Several officials are elected to represent voters in an area.

Answer 29

Proportional Representation

Question 30

Welcomes anyone who wished to belong and accept whatever degree of involvement these individuals chose.

Answer 30

Open Primary

Question 31

The basic local unit, a voting district ranging in size from just a few voters to more than 1000 voters, all whom cast their ballots at the same polling place.

Answer 31

Precinct

Question 32

Composed of several adjoining precincts that compromise a larger district.

Answer 32

Ward

Question 33

Group that hears charges against a suspect and decides whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the person to trial.

Answer 33

Grand Jury

Question 34

Only members of a political party can vote.

Answer 34

Closed Primary

Question 35

Money given directly to the candidate in an election to assist in his or her campaign.

Answer 35

Hard Money

Question 36

More votes than any other candidate.

Answer 36

Plurality

Question 37

Counts votes.

Answer 37

Canvassing Board

Question 38

One that lists the candidates together by the office for which they're running for.

Answer 38

Office Block / Group Ballot

Question 39

One that lists each parties candidates in a column under the party's name.

Answer 39

Party Column Ballot

Question 40

A group of people with common goals who organize to influence government.

Answer 40

Interest Group