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






3. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






5. The authority to hear a case first






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






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






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






9. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






11. Formal agreements between nations






12. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






13. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






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






17. Proposed law






18. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






20. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






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






23. A team of executive branch officials






24. The authority to hear an appeal






25. Plan for raising and spending money






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






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






28. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






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






32. 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






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






34. The area that a member of the House represents






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






36. A set of plans for dealing with national problems