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. An organization of government departments - agencies - and offices






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






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






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






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






6. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






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






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






10. Formal agreements between nations






11. The people a lawmaker represents






12. The area that a member of the House represents






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






14. Proposed law






15. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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






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






19. The authority to hear an appeal






20. A team of executive branch officials






21. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






22. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






23. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






25. 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






26. People who represent interest groups






27. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






30. The authority to hear a case first






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






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






33. Plan for raising and spending money






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






35. Another name for the courts of appeals






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