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. 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






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






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






4. People who represent interest groups






5. The people a lawmaker represents






6. The area that a member of the House represents






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






8. An important group of policy advisers to the President






9. Proposed law






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






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






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






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






14. Plan for raising and spending money






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






16. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






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






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






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






21. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






22. The official representatives to foreign governments






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






24. Another name for the courts of appeals






25. A team of executive branch officials






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






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






28. The authority to hear an appeal






29. Formal agreements between nations






30. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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






33. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






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






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






36. The authority to hear a case first