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 right to keep some information secret from Congress and the courts






2. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






5. Proposed law






6. People who represent interest groups






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






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






9. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






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






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






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






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






15. Plan for raising and spending money






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






17. An important group of policy advisers to the President






18. 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






19. The authority to hear an appeal






20. The authority to hear a case first






21. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






23. A team of executive branch officials






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






25. Formal agreements between nations






26. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






29. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






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






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






34. The area that a member of the House represents






35. The official representatives to foreign governments






36. Another name for the courts of appeals