U.S. government & civics Quiz
How the federal government works, from elections to amendments. 12 multiple-choice questions with explanations.
Questions
How long is a U.S. senator's term?
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6 years. Senators serve six-year terms, with about a third of the Senate up every two years.
How long is a term in the House of Representatives?
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2 years. House members serve two-year terms, so the whole House is elected every even-numbered year.
Who is next in the line of succession after the vice president?
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Speaker of the House. The Presidential Succession Act puts the Speaker of the House second, after the vice president.
How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win the presidency?
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270. There are 538 electors; a majority is 270.
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
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The Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791.
Which amendment abolished slavery?
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13th. The 13th Amendment was ratified in December 1865.
Which amendment guaranteed women the right to vote?
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19th. The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920.
What does it take for Congress to override a presidential veto?
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Two-thirds of both chambers. A veto override needs a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
Under the Constitution, who has the power to declare war?
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Congress. Article I gives Congress the power to declare war; the president is commander in chief.
Which case established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review?
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Marbury v. Madison. Marbury v. Madison (1803) held that courts can strike down laws that conflict with the Constitution.
What is the minimum age to be president?
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35. Article II requires the president to be at least 35 and a natural-born citizen.
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
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26th. The 26th Amendment was ratified in 1971.