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






2. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






4. People who represent interest groups






5. The authority to hear an appeal






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






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






8. The area that a member of the House represents






9. Formal agreements between nations






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






11. 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






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






13. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






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






16. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






17. A team of executive branch officials






18. The authority to hear a case first






19. An important group of policy advisers to the President






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






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






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






23. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






25. Proposed law






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






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






28. The official representatives to foreign governments






29. Plan for raising and spending money






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






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






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






33. The people a lawmaker represents






34. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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