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. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






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






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






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






6. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






9. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






10. The area that a member of the House represents






11. Proposed law






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






13. 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






14. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






16. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






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






19. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






22. People who represent interest groups






23. Plan for raising and spending money






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






25. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






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






28. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






29. Formal agreements between nations






30. The authority to hear an appeal






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






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






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






34. The authority to hear a case first






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






36. A team of executive branch officials