PSEE General Knowledge and Civil Service 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document establishes the supreme law of the United States?
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Federalist Papers
- The U.S. Constitution (Correct answer)
- The Civil Rights Act
Correct answer: The U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, establishing the framework of the federal government and individual rights.
Question 2: What does the term 'fiscal year' mean in the context of the U.S. federal government?
- January 1 to December 31
- July 1 to June 30
- October 1 to September 30 (Correct answer)
- April 1 to March 31
Correct answer: October 1 to September 30
The U.S. federal government's fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30 of the following calendar year.
Question 3: Which act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty?
- Civil Rights Act
- Hatch Act (Correct answer)
- Merit Systems Protection Act
- Whistleblower Protection Act
Correct answer: Hatch Act
The Hatch Act restricts certain political activities of federal, state, and local government employees to protect the integrity of public service.
Question 4: What is an 'appropriation' in government budgeting?
- A tax increase approved by Congress
- Congressional authorization to spend money (Correct answer)
- A loan from the Treasury
- An executive order directing agency spending
Correct answer: Congressional authorization to spend money
An appropriation is a legislative act authorizing the executive branch to spend a specified amount of money for a designated purpose.
Question 5: Which federal law protects government workers who report waste, fraud, or abuse?
- Administrative Procedure Act
- Hatch Act
- Whistleblower Protection Act (Correct answer)
- Privacy Act
Correct answer: Whistleblower Protection Act
The Whistleblower Protection Act shields federal employees from retaliation when they report illegal or wasteful government activities.
Question 6: What is 'due process' in the context of civil service employment?
- The right to sue your employer
- The right to fair procedures before adverse employment actions (Correct answer)
- The right to unlimited paid leave
- The requirement to work overtime without pay
Correct answer: The right to fair procedures before adverse employment actions
Due process in civil service means employees have the right to notice and a fair hearing before significant adverse actions like termination.
PSEE General Knowledge and Civil Service 2
Which document establishes the supreme law of the United States?