Essential or nonessential? Take the government shutdown quiz.

Kevon Lamarque/Reuters
The U.S. Capitol looms in the background of a sign on the National Mall reminding visitors of the closures to all national parks due to the federal government shutdown in Washington October 3, 2013.

‘I’m non-essential?’ That’s the question many federal workers are asking this week. The shutdown has forced 40 percent of such workers to stay home until a bill is passed to fund the federal government, and only workers considered vital to national security and operations remain on the job . Test your knowledge of which employees the federal government considers ‘essential’ and ‘nonessential’ with this 12-question quiz.

1. Which department is facing the most furloughs?

The Department of Education

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

The Commerce Department

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