2008 civics test · Question 35 · System of Government

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Official answer

  • advises the President

What this means

The President’s Cabinet advises the President.

The Cabinet is a group of top officials who each lead a major department of the government, such as Defense, State, or the Treasury. Their role is to give the president expert advice in their areas and to help run the executive branch.

Most Cabinet members hold the title “Secretary,” like the Secretary of State. The one common exception is the Attorney General, who leads the Department of Justice.

Both tests ask this the same way. Answer: it advises the President.

Why this is on the test

The Cabinet is a term that sounds formal but has a simple job, and both tests ask what that job is.

How this question is asked

On the 2008 civics test, the officer asks up to 10 of the 100 questions out loud and you pass by answering 6 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.

This question also appears on the 2025 civics test , as question 47.

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