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. Plan for raising and spending money






2. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






3. The authority to hear an appeal






4. The people a lawmaker represents






5. A team of executive branch officials






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






7. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






10. The authority to hear a case first






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






12. Formal agreements between nations






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






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






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






16. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






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






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






21. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






22. People who represent interest groups






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






24. Proposed law






25. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






28. 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






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






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






31. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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






34. The official representatives to foreign governments






35. Another name for the courts of appeals






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