47 Government Trivia Questions and Answers
Constitutions, offices and how power is actually arranged.
Every question below is shown with its answer, so you can scan the whole set, pick the ones you want, and run a round without clicking through. They are free to use for quiz nights, classrooms and pub quizzes. Where a question has extra background, it links to the full explanation.
1.What is the name for the form of government controlled by a privileged, hereditary ruling class, generally resented by the middle and lower class.
Answer: ARISTOCRACY
Read the full explanation2.On Dec. 10, 1953, the first Playboy magazine was released. Which well-known woman was the first playmate?
Answer: Marilyn Monroe
Read the full explanation3.In what year did India gain its independence, and which well-known person became its first prime minister?
Answer: 1947 / JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
Read the full explanation4.The statement, "The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied because of sex" became a part of the U.S. Constitution in what year? Was it 1787 when the constitution was written, or as an amendment in 1865, 1920, or 1945?
Answer: 1920 - 19th amendment to the constitution
Read the full explanation5.According to the U.S. Constitution, if none of the candidates for President gains a majority of the electoral votes, how would the choice of President be made?
Answer: DECIDED BY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Read the full explanation6.Which U.S. city has these three nicknames: air crossroads of the world, Chicago of the north, largest city in the largest state?
Answer: Anchorage, Alaska
Read the full explanation7.Which Amendment to the US Constitution grants people the right to keep and bear Arms?
Answer: 2ND
Read the full explanation8.In which city is the International Court of Justice located?
Answer: The Hague
Read the full explanation9.What US federal agency is responsible for national defense?
Answer: Department of Defense
Read the full explanation10.What amendment to the US Constitution sets the presidential term limit to two terms?
Answer: 22nd Amendment
Read the full explanation11.What type of government is ruled by religious leaders?
Answer: Theocracy
Read the full explanation12.Who is third in the presidential line of succession after the Vice President?
Answer: Speaker of the House
Read the full explanation13.In November, 1992, who was elected as America's first black female US Senator?
Answer: CAROLE MOSELY BRAUN
Read the full explanation14.The person who served in the position as Governor of California the longest, from 1943 to 1953, went on to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Who was he?
Answer: EARL WARREN
Read the full explanation15.How many total Electoral College votes are there in the US?
Answer: 538
Read the full explanation16.How many amendments are in the US Bill of Rights?
Answer: Ten
Read the full explanation17.What is the term length for a US House of Representatives member?
Answer: Two years
Read the full explanation18.The SALT treaty was ratified in 1972, to limit offensive weapons. What does SALT abbreviate?
Answer: STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION TREATY
Read the full explanation19.How many total members serve in the US House of Representatives?
Answer: 435
Read the full explanation20.What is the upper chamber of the US Congress called?
Answer: Senate
Read the full explanation21.How many branches does the US federal government have?
Answer: Three
Read the full explanation22.Can you name the four U.S. state capital cities named after U.S. Presidents?
Answer: LINCOLN, nebraska / MADISON, wisconsin / JEFFERSON CITY, mo. / JACKSON, mississippi
Read the full explanation23.Can you name the last four sitting Presidents who lost bids for re-election for a second term?
Answer: GEORGE BUSH - lost to Clinton in 1992 / JIMMY CARTER - lost in 1980 to reagan / GERALD FORD - lost in 1976 to carter / HERBERT HOOVER - lost in 1932 to FDR
Read the full explanation24.What is the name of the official residence of the British Prime Minister?
Answer: 10 Downing Street
Read the full explanation25.What is the term for a presidential rejection of a bill passed by Congress?
Answer: Veto
Read the full explanation26.If a foreign born person becomes a U.S. citizen, that person receives all the rights and privileges of natural-born citizens, except for one. What is it?
Answer: THE RIGHT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT
Read the full explanation27.What government agency is responsible for collecting federal taxes in the US?
Answer: IRS
Read the full explanation28.Whose picture is on a $2 bill?
Answer: THOMAS JEFFERSON
Read the full explanation29.What term describes a government where power is divided between a central authority and regional units?
Answer: Federalism
Read the full explanation30.What is the Japanese parliament called?
Answer: Diet
Read the full explanation31.These people all ran against each other for President in 1912: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. Who won the election?
Answer: WILSON / 28th President 1913-1921
Read the full explanation32.In what year was the US Constitution ratified?
Answer: 1788
Read the full explanation33.How many Electoral College votes are needed to win the US presidency?
Answer: 270
Read the full explanation34.What US government agency manages the national parks?
Answer: National Park Service
Read the full explanation35.Article 1, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution requires that every 10 years, what should happen?
Answer: CENSUS TAKE PLACE
Read the full explanation36.The Attorney General is the head of which governmental department?
Answer: JUSTICE
Read the full explanation37.In the year 1800, the federal government of the United States moved to its newly constructed capital in Washington, D.C., from what city?
Answer: PHILADELPHIA
Read the full explanation38.What government body has the sole power to impeach the US President?
Answer: House of Representatives
Read the full explanation39.What document outlines the structure and powers of the US federal government?
Answer: The Constitution
Read the full explanation40.How many US senators does each state have?
Answer: Two
Read the full explanation41.What is the name of the German parliament?
Answer: Bundestag
Read the full explanation42.What US government department is responsible for foreign affairs?
Answer: State Department
Read the full explanation43.What is the lower house of the British Parliament called?
Answer: House of Commons
Read the full explanation44.In 1975, Gerald Ford appointed which future President to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency?
Answer: GEORGE BUSH
Read the full explanation45.It is said that the current Constitution of France was tailor-made for which person?
Answer: CHARLES DE GAULLE c.1958
Read the full explanation46.How many years is a the term of office of a U.S. Senator?
Answer: 6 YEARS
Read the full explanation47.What advisory group, composed of the commanders of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and the Marines, counsels the President on military affairs?
Answer: JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
Read the full explanation