Test your basic knowledge |

Civics: Federal Government

Subject : civics
Instructions:
  • Answer 36 questions in 20 minutes. 2 minutes extra for reading the instructions.
  • 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. An important group of policy advisers to the President






2. The authority to hear an appeal






3. Proposed law






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






5. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






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






9. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






11. Formal agreements between nations






12. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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






16. People who represent interest groups






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






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






19. Plan for raising and spending money






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






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






22. The area that a member of the House represents






23. The authority to hear a case first






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






25. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






28. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






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






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






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






33. A team of executive branch officials






34. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






35. The official representatives to foreign governments






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