Test your basic knowledge |

Civics: Federal Government

Subject : civics
Instructions:
  • Answer 36 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Proposed law






2. The use of long speeches to prevent a vote on a bill






3. The party who answers a complaint and defends against it






4. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






5. A guideline for how all similar cases should be decided in the future






6. The set of plans for guiding our nation's relationship with other countries






7. To ask a higher court to review the decision and determine if justice was done






8. An effort by judges to take an active role in policymaking by overturning laws relatively often






9. The people a lawmaker represents






10. The chief officers of the majority and minority parties in each house






11. The authority to hear an appeal






12. An individual or group of people who bring a complaint against another party






13. A team of executive branch officials






14. The branch of government responsible for executing - or carrying out - the law






15. An important group of policy advisers to the President






16. Plan for raising and spending money






17. The authority to hear a case first






18. One of the ways a President can veto a bill - by pocketing or keeping the bill for ten days during which Congress ends its session






19. Another name for the courts of appeals






20. Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals






21. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






22. An effort by judges to avoid overturning laws and to leave policymaking up to the other two branches of government






23. An organization of government departments - agencies - and offices






24. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






25. Appellate courts which handle appeals from the federal district courts






26. A government body that brings a criminal charge against a defendant Who is accused of breaking one of its laws






27. People who represent interest groups






28. The right to keep some information secret from Congress and the courts






29. The area that a member of the House represents






30. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






31. Formal agreements between nations






32. A law that convicts a person of a crime without a trial






33. The power to overturn any law that the Court decides is in conflict with the Constitution






34. An officer who will preside over the Senate when the Vice President is absent






35. Agreements with other countries that do not need Senate approval






36. The official representatives to foreign governments