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 law that convicts a person of a crime without a trial






2. The authority to hear an appeal






3. A set of plans for dealing with national problems






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






13. Proposed law






14. The presiding officer over the House of Representatives






15. The authority to hear a case first






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






17. Agreement to end the debate on a bill






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






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






20. The people a lawmaker represents






21. People who represent interest groups






22. Formal agreements between nations






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






24. A written statement explaining the reasons for the decision






25. 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






26. The area that a member of the House represents






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






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






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






30. Another name for the courts of appeals






31. Plan for raising and spending money






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






33. An important group of policy advisers to the President






34. A team of executive branch officials






35. The official representatives to foreign governments






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