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






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






3. The authority to hear a case first






4. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






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






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






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






10. Another name for the courts of appeals






11. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






13. 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






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






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






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






17. Plan for raising and spending money






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






19. The authority to hear an appeal






20. People who represent interest groups






21. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






22. Formal agreements between nations






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






24. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






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






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






28. Proposed law






29. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






31. A team of executive branch officials






32. The area that a member of the House represents






33. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






34. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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