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






2. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






3. A team of executive branch officials






4. The authority to hear a case first






5. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






6. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






7. Proposed law






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






9. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






11. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






12. People who represent interest groups






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






14. The area that a member of the House represents






15. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






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






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






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






20. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






23. Plan for raising and spending money






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






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






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






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






28. Formal agreements between nations






29. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






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






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






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






35. 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






36. The authority to hear an appeal