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. Formal agreements between nations






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






3. The authority to hear a case first






4. The people a lawmaker represents






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






6. 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






7. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






8. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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






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






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






13. A team of executive branch officials






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






15. People who represent interest groups






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






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






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






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






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






21. An important group of policy advisers to the President






22. The authority to hear an appeal






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






24. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






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






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






29. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






31. The area that a member of the House represents






32. Plan for raising and spending money






33. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






34. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






36. Proposed law