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






2. An important group of policy advisers to the President






3. The area that a member of the House represents






4. Formal agreements between nations






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






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






7. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






8. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






10. People who represent interest groups






11. The authority to hear a case first






12. Proposed law






13. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






26. A team of executive branch officials






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






28. Plan for raising and spending money






29. The people a lawmaker represents






30. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






32. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






33. 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






34. The authority to hear an appeal






35. Another name for the courts of appeals






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