Judicial Branch Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A civil lawsuit requires witnesses to testify and documents to be entered into evidence. Which federal court ordinarily performs that fact-finding role first?
The U.S. Supreme Court
A federal district court
A federal court of appeals
The Senate sitting as an impeachment court
2. A lawsuit claims that a federal statute violates the U.S. Constitution. Why may a federal court hear the claim?
Every lawsuit involving legislation must begin in federal court
Only Congress may decide whether one of its statutes is constitutional
The claim presents a federal question arising under the Constitution
Federal courts automatically control all disputes involving state residents
3. Which statement correctly describes the constitutional process for removing a federal judge through impeachment?
State legislatures vote collectively to remove the judge
The president removes the judge after approval from the Supreme Court
The Senate impeaches, and the House conducts the trial
The House impeaches, and the Senate conducts the trial and may convict
4. Which article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the federal judicial branch?
Article III
Article I
Article IV
Article VI
5. Which dispute is specifically within the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under the Constitution?
A routine contract dispute between two residents of the same state
A dispute between two states
An appeal from a municipal parking decision
A disagreement between two private businesses solely about state law
6. A court concludes that a statute conflicts with the Constitution in a case properly before it. What may the court do through judicial review?
Decline to apply the unconstitutional statute in deciding the case
Remove the legislators who voted for the statute
Rewrite the statute without deciding the parties’ dispute
Formally amend the Constitution to resolve the conflict
7. In a federal criminal prosecution, which party brings the case against the defendant?
The Supreme Court
The United States government
The alleged victim acting as the government
The state legislature
8. Why does the Constitution provide that federal judges hold office during good behavior?
To let judges select their own successors
To place federal courts outside all constitutional checks
To support judicial independence from short-term political pressure
To guarantee that every judicial decision is permanent
9. How is a justice normally appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court?
The House elects the justice, and the Chief Justice approves the choice
State governors nominate the justice, and Congress votes jointly
The president nominates the justice, and the Senate considers confirmation
Federal judges select the justice through an internal election
10. A person challenges a government rule but cannot show that the rule caused or imminently threatens a concrete personal injury. Which requirement is most directly at issue?
Jury unanimity
Senate confirmation
Original jurisdiction
Standing
11. A losing party argues that a trial judge applied the wrong legal standard. What is the usual role of an appellate court?
Conduct a completely new trial with a new jury
Ask the executive branch to settle the case
Rewrite the disputed statute before deciding the appeal
Review the lower court’s proceedings for relevant legal error
12. What is a writ of certiorari in Supreme Court practice?
An order requiring Congress to revise a disputed law
A presidential directive appointing a federal judge
A jury instruction issued during a federal criminal trial
An order through which the Court agrees to review a lower-court case
13. What is the federal judicial branch’s central function within the U.S. constitutional system?
Interpreting laws and resolving cases within federal jurisdiction
Writing federal laws and setting tax rates
Enforcing federal laws through executive agencies
Amending the Constitution when legal disputes arise
14. Which Supreme Court case is most closely associated with establishing judicial review?
McCulloch v. Maryland
Marbury v. Madison
Brown v. Board of Education
Gideon v. Wainwright
15. A federal trial court faces a materially similar case already decided by the federal appellate court above it. What principle generally directs the trial court to follow that higher court’s ruling?
Binding precedent
Executive privilege
Popular sovereignty
Legislative immunity
16. A state’s highest court issues a final ruling on a federal constitutional question. Under appropriate circumstances, which court may review that federal issue?
A federal district court conducting a new trial
The Senate Judiciary Committee
The U.S. Supreme Court
A neighboring state’s supreme court