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






2. Another name for the courts of appeals






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






4. People who represent interest groups






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






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






7. A team of executive branch officials






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






9. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






10. An important group of policy advisers to the President






11. The authority to hear an appeal






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






13. The people a lawmaker represents






14. 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






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






16. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






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






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






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






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






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






22. Plan for raising and spending money






23. The official representatives to foreign governments






24. Formal agreements between nations






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






26. The authority to hear a case first






27. The area that a member of the House represents






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






29. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






31. Proposed law






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






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






34. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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