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 important group of policy advisers to the President






2. Another name for the courts of appeals






3. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






4. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






6. The authority to hear a case first






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






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






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






10. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






12. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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. The authority to hear an appeal






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






18. The official representatives to foreign governments






19. Plan for raising and spending money






20. People who represent interest groups






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






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






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






24. Formal agreements between nations






25. The people a lawmaker represents






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






27. Proposed law






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






29. A team of executive branch officials






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






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






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. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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






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