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. People who represent interest groups






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






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






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






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






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






7. The people a lawmaker represents






8. A team of executive branch officials






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






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






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






12. The authority to hear an appeal






13. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






14. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






15. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






16. Formal agreements between nations






17. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






20. Plan for raising and spending money






21. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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






24. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






26. 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






27. Another name for the courts of appeals






28. The official representatives to foreign governments






29. The authority to hear a case first






30. Proposed law






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






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






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






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






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






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