General political knowledge Quiz
The basics everyone should know: institutions, terms and the world stage. 10 multiple-choice questions with explanations.
Questions
How many voting members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
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435. The House has 435 voting members, apportioned among the states by population.
How many justices sit on the U.S. Supreme Court?
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9. The Court has had nine justices since 1869: one chief justice and eight associate justices.
Which body must approve a treaty before the U.S. can ratify it?
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The Senate, by a two-thirds vote. Under Article II, treaties need the advice and consent of two-thirds of the senators present.
What is a filibuster?
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Extended debate used to delay or block a vote in the Senate. In the Senate, ending debate on most bills requires 60 votes (cloture), so a minority can block legislation.
How many permanent members does the UN Security Council have?
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5. The U.S., UK, France, Russia and China are permanent members, each with a veto.
Which country has the largest population in the world?
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India. India passed China as the most populous country in 2023, according to UN estimates.
What does GDP measure?
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The total value of goods and services produced in a country. Gross domestic product is the market value of all final goods and services produced in a period.
In a parliamentary system, the head of government is usually…
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A prime minister who depends on the support of the legislature. Prime ministers lead because they command a majority (or confidence) in parliament.
What is gerrymandering?
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Drawing election districts to favor one party or group. The term comes from an 1812 Massachusetts district shaped like a salamander, signed by Governor Elbridge Gerry.
In what year was NATO founded?
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1949. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in April 1949 by 12 founding members.