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 authority to hear a case first






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. The people a lawmaker represents






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






11. Another name for the courts of appeals






12. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






13. An important group of policy advisers to the President






14. 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






15. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






16. Proposed law






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






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






19. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






21. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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






24. People who represent interest groups






25. Formal agreements between nations






26. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






28. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






31. The authority to hear an appeal






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






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






34. A team of executive branch officials






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






36. Plan for raising and spending money