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 party who answers a complaint and defends against it






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






3. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






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






7. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






9. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






10. The official representatives to foreign governments






11. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






13. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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






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






17. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






19. The authority to hear a case first






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






21. The authority to hear an appeal






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






23. A team of executive branch officials






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






25. Proposed law






26. People who represent interest groups






27. Formal agreements between nations






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






29. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






30. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






32. 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






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






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






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






36. Plan for raising and spending money