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 presiding officer over the House of Representatives






2. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






3. Another name for the courts of appeals






4. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






7. The authority to hear an appeal






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






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






10. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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






13. Plan for raising and spending money






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






15. Proposed law






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






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






18. Formal agreements between nations






19. 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






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






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






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






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






24. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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






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






28. A team of executive branch officials






29. The authority to hear a case first






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






31. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






34. People who represent interest groups






35. An important group of policy advisers to the President






36. The official representatives to foreign governments