U.S. Citizenship Civics Test · Civics (American Government, History, Symbols and Holidays)
Written by AI · Not yet reviewed by staffU.S. Citizenship Civics Test The Courts and Federal and State Powers Summary
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The judicial branch and the Supreme Court, how long justices serve, and the powers that belong only to the federal government or only to the states (official questions 50-62).
📖 See The Courts and Federal and State Powers concepts →The Courts and Federal and State Powers: must-know points
- The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
- Supreme Court justices serve for life, so they can be independent of politics.
- Printing paper money and declaring war are federal powers; providing schooling and giving driver's licenses are state powers.
The Courts and Federal and State Powers: 10 sample questions
Question 1. What is the highest court in the United States?
- ① District Court
- ② Court of Appeals
- ③ Supreme Court
- ④ Senate
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Answer: ③ Supreme Court
Key point: The Supreme Court is the highest court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
Wrong choices
- Court of Appeals: Courts of Appeals are lower than the Supreme Court.
- District Court: District Courts are the lowest federal trial courts.
- Senate: The Senate is part of Congress, not a court.
Question 2. What is one part of the judicial branch?
- ① House of Representatives
- ② Senate
- ③ Cabinet
- ④ Supreme Court
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Answer: ④ Supreme Court
Key point: The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch
The Supreme Court is part of the judicial branch.
Other answer USCIS accepts: Federal Courts.
Wrong choices
- Senate: The Senate is part of Congress.
- Cabinet: The Cabinet is part of the executive branch.
- House of Representatives: The House is part of Congress.
Question 3. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
- ① Ten (10) years
- ② Four (4) years
- ③ For life
- ④ Until the next president
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Answer: ③ For life
Key point: Supreme Court justices serve for life
Supreme Court justices serve for life.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Lifetime appointment, (Until) retirement.
Wrong choices
- Four (4) years: Four years is the President's term.
- Ten (10) years: Justices have no fixed term.
- Until the next president: A new President cannot remove justices.
Question 4. What does the judicial branch do?
- ① Decides if a law goes against the U.S. Constitution
- ② Collects federal taxes
- ③ Signs bills into law
- ④ Writes new laws
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Answer: ① Decides if a law goes against the U.S. Constitution
Key point: The courts review and explain laws
The judicial branch decides if a law goes against the Constitution.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Reviews laws, Explains laws, Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law.
Wrong choices
- Writes new laws: Congress writes laws.
- Signs bills into law: The President signs bills.
- Collects federal taxes: Tax collection is done by the executive branch.
Question 5. Name one power that is only for the federal government.
- ① Give a driver’s license
- ② Print paper money
- ③ Approve zoning and land use
- ④ Provide schooling and education
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Answer: ② Print paper money
Key point: Federal-only powers: money, war, army, treaties
Printing paper money is a power only for the federal government.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Mint coins, Declare war, Create an army, Make treaties, Set foreign policy.
Wrong choices
- Give a driver’s license: This is a state power.
- Provide schooling and education: This is a state power.
- Approve zoning and land use: This is a state power.
Question 6. Name one power that is only for the states.
- ① Give a driver’s license
- ② Declare war
- ③ Make treaties
- ④ Print paper money
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Answer: ① Give a driver’s license
Key point: State-only powers: schools, police, licenses, zoning
Giving a driver's license is a power only for the states.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Provide schooling and education, Provide protection (police), Provide safety (fire departments), Approve zoning and land use.
Wrong choices
- Print paper money: This is a federal power.
- Declare war: Only the federal government (Congress) declares war.
- Make treaties: Only the federal government makes treaties.
Question 7. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
- ① Twelve (12)
- ② Five (5)
- ③ Nine (9)
- ④ Seven (7)
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Answer: ③ Nine (9)
Key point: The Supreme Court has 9 seats
There are nine seats on the Supreme Court.
Wrong choices
- Seven (7): There are nine seats.
- Twelve (12): There are nine seats, not twelve.
- Five (5): Five is the number usually needed to decide a case.
Question 8. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
- ① Five (5)
- ② Three (3)
- ③ Seven (7)
- ④ Nine (9)
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Answer: ① Five (5)
Key point: 5 of 9 justices usually decide a case
Usually five Supreme Court justices are needed to decide a case. Five is a majority of the nine justices.
Wrong choices
- Nine (9): Nine is the total number of seats. A majority of five is usually enough.
- Three (3): Three is not a majority of nine.
- Seven (7): A case is usually decided by a majority, which is five.
Question 9. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
- ① Because judges are elected by the people
- ② To save money on new appointments
- ③ To be independent (of politics)
- ④ So the President can control the courts
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Answer: ③ To be independent (of politics)
Key point: Life terms keep justices independent
Justices serve for life so they can be independent of politics. They do not need to worry about losing their jobs after an unpopular decision.
Other answer USCIS accepts: To limit outside (political) influence.
Wrong choices
- So the President can control the courts: Life terms do the opposite: they keep the courts free from control.
- Because judges are elected by the people: Federal judges are appointed, not elected.
- To save money on new appointments: The reason is independence, not money.
Question 10. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
- ① It limits the President to two terms.
- ② Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
- ③ It ended slavery.
- ④ It gives women the right to vote.
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Answer: ② Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Key point: 10th Amendment: other powers belong to states or people
The 10th Amendment says powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Wrong choices
- It limits the President to two terms.: That is the 22nd Amendment.
- It gives women the right to vote.: That is the 19th Amendment.
- It ended slavery.: That is the 13th Amendment.
Test yourself.