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 a case first






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






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






4. People who represent interest groups






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






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






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






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






9. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






11. The people a lawmaker represents






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






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






14. The authority to hear an appeal






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






16. Formal agreements between nations






17. Plan for raising and spending money






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






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






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






21. The official representatives to foreign governments






22. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






24. Proposed law






25. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






27. A team of executive branch officials






28. 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






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






30. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






32. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






35. The area that a member of the House represents






36. Another name for the courts of appeals