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. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






2. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






3. The people a lawmaker represents






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






5. Formal agreements between nations






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






7. The area that a member of the House represents






8. A team of executive branch officials






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






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






11. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






20. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






22. The authority to hear a case first






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






24. Plan for raising and spending money






25. The official representatives to foreign governments






26. People who represent interest groups






27. Proposed law






28. Another name for the courts of appeals






29. The authority to hear an appeal






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






31. 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






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






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






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






35. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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