Civics Polity

Legislature and Parliament

1,426 Questions

Legislature and Parliament topics cover the structure, functions, and legislative procedures of the lawmaking bodies. This collection focuses on the passage of bills, parliamentary committees, and the roles of different houses. These questions are highly relevant for civil services and state public service commission examinations.

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Legislature and Parliament Questions

Multiple choice

What is the process by which a bill becomes a law called?

  1. Legislation

  2. Enactment

  3. Ratification

  4. Amendment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The process by which a bill becomes a law is called enactment.

Multiple choice

What is the purpose of a roll call vote?

  1. To ensure that each member of the legislative body has a chance to vote

  2. To ensure that the results of the vote are accurate

  3. To create a public record of how each member of the legislative body voted

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The purpose of a roll call vote is to ensure that each member of the legislative body has a chance to vote, to ensure that the results of the vote are accurate, and to create a public record of how each member of the legislative body voted.

Multiple choice

How many roll call votes are typically taken in a session of Congress?

  1. Hundreds

  2. Thousands

  3. Tens of thousands

  4. Hundreds of thousands
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Thousands of roll call votes are typically taken in a session of Congress. In the 116th Congress (2019-2020), for example, there were over 10,000 roll call votes taken in the House of Representatives and over 6,000 roll call votes taken in the Senate.

Multiple choice

What is the first step in introducing a bill or resolution in Congress?

  1. Submitting it to the President

  2. Debating it in committee

  3. Voting on it in the House or Senate

  4. Drafting the legislation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The first step in introducing legislation is drafting the bill or resolution, which outlines the proposed law or policy.

Multiple choice

Which chamber of Congress receives bills and resolutions first?

  1. The House of Representatives

  2. The Senate

  3. The President

  4. The Supreme Court
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the U.S. legislative process, bills and resolutions are typically introduced first in the House of Representatives.

Multiple choice

Which committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the budget in the House of Representatives?

  1. Appropriations Committee

  2. Budget Committee

  3. Ways and Means Committee

  4. Rules Committee
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives is tasked with reviewing and approving the federal budget.

Multiple choice

What is the next step after a bill is reported out of committee?

  1. It is debated on the floor of the House or Senate

  2. It is sent to the President for signature

  3. It is assigned to a conference committee

  4. It is voted on in committee
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

After a bill is reported out of committee, it moves to the floor of the House or Senate for debate and a vote.

Multiple choice

Which chamber of Congress must approve a bill before it can be sent to the President?

  1. The House of Representatives

  2. The Senate

  3. Both chambers

  4. Neither chamber
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A bill must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be sent to the President for signature.

Multiple choice

What is a "pro forma yield"?

  1. A yield of the floor that is made for the purpose of allowing a vote to be taken.

  2. A yield of the floor that is made for the purpose of allowing a motion to be made.

  3. A yield of the floor that is made for the purpose of allowing a point of order to be raised.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A pro forma yield is a yield of the floor that is made for the purpose of allowing a vote to be taken.

Multiple choice

What is the process by which a bill becomes a law?

  1. Introduction > Committee Consideration > Floor Vote > Presidential Signature

  2. Introduction > Floor Vote > Committee Consideration > Presidential Signature

  3. Committee Consideration > Introduction > Floor Vote > Presidential Signature

  4. Floor Vote > Introduction > Committee Consideration > Presidential Signature
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A bill becomes a law through the process of introduction, committee consideration, floor vote, and presidential signature.

Multiple choice

What is the power of the President to veto a bill passed by Congress?

  1. Absolute Veto

  2. Line-Item Veto

  3. Pocket Veto

  4. Constructive Veto
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The President has the power of absolute veto, which allows them to reject a bill passed by Congress in its entirety.

Multiple choice

What is the power of Congress to override a presidential veto?

  1. Simple Majority Vote

  2. Two-Thirds Majority Vote

  3. Three-Fifths Majority Vote

  4. Unanimous Vote
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

Multiple choice

What is the typical procedure for the third reading of a bill?

  1. The bill is read aloud in its entirety.

  2. The bill is debated and amendments are proposed.

  3. The bill is voted on and passed to the next stage of the legislative process.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The third reading of a bill typically involves all of the above steps.

Multiple choice

What is the composition of a conference committee?

  1. Members of the legislative leadership from both chambers.

  2. Members of the committees that originally considered the bill in each chamber.

  3. Members of the appropriations committees from both chambers.

  4. Members of the minority party from both chambers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Conference committees are typically composed of members of the committees that originally considered the bill in each chamber, as these members have the most expertise on the subject matter of the bill.

Multiple choice

How is a conference committee appointed?

  1. By the presiding officers of both chambers.

  2. By the majority leaders of both chambers.

  3. By the minority leaders of both chambers.

  4. By the appropriations committees of both chambers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Conference committees are typically appointed by the presiding officers of both chambers, who select members from the relevant committees.