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






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






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






4. The people a lawmaker represents






5. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






7. 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






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






9. People who represent interest groups






10. An important group of policy advisers to the President






11. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






14. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






15. Proposed law






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






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






18. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






20. The authority to hear an appeal






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






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






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






24. A team of executive branch officials






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






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






27. Formal agreements between nations






28. Plan for raising and spending money






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






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






31. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






33. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






34. The authority to hear a case first






35. The area that a member of the House represents






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