U.S. Government Practice Test: Congress
- Congress
- 10 questions
- 12 minutes
These 10 questions cover how the House and the Senate are built and what each chamber does on its own. A useful pattern: the House starts tax bills and impeachments, while the Senate confirms appointments, approves treaties and holds impeachment trials.
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Question 1
A newly elected U.S. senator will serve a term of how many years before facing reelection?
Correct answer: B
Senators serve six-year terms, and about one-third of the Senate is elected every two years. Two years is the term of a member of the House.
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Question 2
After which event are seats in the House of Representatives reapportioned among the states?
Correct answer: A
The Constitution requires a census every ten years, and House seats are redistributed among the states based on its results. Elections do not change how many seats a state has.
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Question 3
According to the Constitution, bills for raising revenue (tax bills) must begin in which chamber?
Correct answer: D
Article I, Section 7 says all bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House, the chamber closest to the voters. The Senate may propose or agree with amendments to them.
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Question 4
During an impeachment, what role does the Senate play?
Correct answer: C
The House impeaches (brings charges) by a majority vote, and the Senate tries the case; conviction requires two-thirds of the senators present. Bringing the charges is the House's job, not the Senate's.
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Question 5
The President nominates a person to be a federal judge. Which body must confirm the nomination?
Correct answer: D
Under Article II, the President appoints judges, ambassadors and other officers with the advice and consent of the Senate. The House plays no part in confirmations.
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Question 6
In the Senate, what is a filibuster?
Correct answer: A
A filibuster uses the Senate's tradition of unlimited debate to stall or block a vote. The House has strict time limits on debate, so it has no filibuster.
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Question 7
After a bill is introduced, where does most of the detailed work of studying, holding hearings on and revising it take place?
Correct answer: C
Bills are sent to committees, which hold hearings, amend the text and decide whether it goes to the full chamber. Most bills never leave committee.
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Question 8
Which official presides over the House of Representatives and is chosen by its members?
Correct answer: B
The House elects a Speaker as its presiding officer. The Vice President presides over the Senate, and the President pro tempore presides when the Vice President is absent.
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Question 9
When can the Vice President cast a vote in the Senate?
Correct answer: A
The Constitution makes the Vice President President of the Senate but allows a vote only to break a tie. In an impeachment trial of a President, the Chief Justice presides instead.
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Question 10
What is the minimum age to serve in the House of Representatives?
Correct answer: C
A Representative must be at least 25, a citizen for seven years and an inhabitant of the state. Thirty is the minimum age for a senator.
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