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 authority to hear an appeal






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






3. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






4. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. The people a lawmaker represents






12. People who represent interest groups






13. Another name for the courts of appeals






14. The area that a member of the House represents






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






16. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






19. Proposed law






20. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






22. The authority to hear a case first






23. Plan for raising and spending money






24. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






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






28. A team of executive branch officials






29. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






31. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






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






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






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






36. Formal agreements between nations