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






2. The authority to hear an appeal






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






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






5. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






7. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






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






10. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






11. People who represent interest groups






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






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






14. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






15. The area that a member of the House represents






16. Proposed law






17. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






18. The people a lawmaker represents






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






20. 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






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






22. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






25. Formal agreements between nations






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






27. The authority to hear a case first






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






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






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






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






32. Plan for raising and spending money






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






34. Another name for the courts of appeals






35. A team of executive branch officials






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