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. 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






2. Another name for the courts of appeals






3. A team of executive branch officials






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






5. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






6. The authority to hear a case first






7. Proposed law






8. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






9. The authority to hear an appeal






10. Plan for raising and spending money






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






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






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






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






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






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






17. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






19. People who represent interest groups






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






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






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






23. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






25. Formal agreements between nations






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






27. The area that a member of the House represents






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






29. The people a lawmaker represents






30. The official representatives to foreign governments






31. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






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






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






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