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






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






3. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






5. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






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






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






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






10. Plan for raising and spending money






11. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






12. A team of executive branch officials






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






14. Formal agreements between nations






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






16. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






18. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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






21. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






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






25. People who represent interest groups






26. Another name for the courts of appeals






27. 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






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






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






30. The authority to hear a case first






31. The official representatives to foreign governments






32. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






34. The authority to hear an appeal






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






36. Proposed law