Judicial Branch and Court System Quiz

What is the definition of "jurisdiction"?

• The court's authority to hear and decide cases

• enforcing laws

• appealing a decision

What is "exclusive jurisdiction"?

• Shared authority between state and federal courts

• Federal Courts' authority to hear and decide cases

• Courts' ability to overturn laws

What is "concurrent jurisdiction"?

• Both state and federal courts can hear and decide a case

• Only state courts have to hear cases

• The ability of courts to issue rulings

What is a "ruling"?

• The reason for a court's decision

• An official decision to settle a case or establish the meaning of a law

• A legal principle used to guide future decisions

What is an "opinion"?

• A brief statement that disagrees with the majority decision

• The reason for a court's decision

• The decision made in the court's ruling

What is a "precedent"?

• A ruling that is used as the basis for judicial decisions in later, similar cases

• A dissenting opinion that is later accepted

• A law declared unconstitutional

What is the principle of "judicial review"?

• The Supreme Court’s power to create new laws

• The Supreme Court’s power to interpret the Constitution

• The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

What does it mean to "nullify" a law?

• To repeal a law through the legislative process

• To cancel a law legally

• To interpret a law for the public

What is a "concurring opinion"?

• agrees with the majority opinion but for different reasons

• disagrees with the majority decision

• A ruling agreed upon by all justices

What is a "dissenting opinion"?

• agrees with the majority decision

• disagrees with the majority decision

• A decision made by the Chief Justice