9. The ___________ positions are appointed by the president as heads of various departments.*1 pointCabinetFBICIAEPA

The correct answer to fill in the blank is "Cabinet."

Explanation:

The Cabinet positions in the United States are appointed by the president and serve as the heads of various executive departments. This includes positions such as the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Education, among others. Each of these department heads advises the president on relevant issues and oversees the functioning of their respective departments.

The other options listed, such as the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), refer to specific agencies that operate under the executive branch but are not considered part of the Cabinet. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is also an agency; however, its head is referred to as the Administrator, rather than a Cabinet member per se. Thus, "Cabinet" is the best and most accurate choice for this question.