What followed was an early, limited test of the new offense.

Senate Democrats hope to get an early test, which they expect to win, on that very issue.

Many saw the decision on the China resolution as an early test of the administration's commitment to human rights.

The early test also brought to light an unexpected technical problem.

The action was an early test of their influence in a Senate split 50-50.

The earlier test had been on a scale small enough to hide.

But an early test found that customers also wanted to watch.

And for Democrats especially, the early test here is more important than usual.

In the past the caucus has been a critical early test.

The race to replace him was seen as an early test for the Clinton administration.