📚 All 128 Civics Questions

Official USCIS Civics Test Questions

Study all 128 official civics questions from the USCIS naturalization test. Questions marked with ⭐ are part of the 65/20 special consideration list (20 questions for applicants 65 or older with 20+ years of residency).

American Government

Principles of American Government

1

What is the form of government of the United States?

Answers: Republic • Constitution-based federal republic • Representative democracy

2

What is the supreme law of the land?

Answers: (U.S.) Constitution • Constitution • U.S. Constitution • The Constitution

3

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Answers: Forms the government • Defines powers of government • Defines the parts of government • Protects the rights of the people

4

The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?

Answers: Self-government • Popular sovereignty • Consent of the governed • People should govern themselves • (Example of) social contract • Social contract

5

How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

Answers: Amendments • The amendment process

6

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

Answers: (The basic) rights of Americans • The basic rights of Americans • Rights of Americans • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States • The basic rights of people living in the United States • Rights of people living in the United States

7

How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

Answers: Twenty-seven (27) • 27 • Twenty-seven

8

Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

Answers: It says America is free from British control. • It says all people are created equal. • It identifies inherent rights. • It identifies individual freedoms.

9

What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

Answer: Declaration of Independence

10

Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Answers: Equality • Liberty • Social contract • Natural rights • Limited government • Self-government

11

The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?

Answer: Declaration of Independence

12

What is the economic system of the United States?

Answers: Capitalism • Free market economy

13

What is the rule of law?

Answers: Everyone must follow the law. • Leaders must obey the law. • Government must obey the law. • No one is above the law.

14

Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

Answers: Declaration of Independence • Articles of Confederation • Federalist Papers • Anti-Federalist Papers • Virginia Declaration of Rights • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut • Mayflower Compact • Iroquois Great Law of Peace

15

There are three branches of government. Why?

Answers: So one part does not become too powerful • Checks and balances • Separation of powers

System of Government

16

Name the three branches of government.

Answers: Legislative, executive, and judicial • Congress, president, and the courts

17

The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

Answer: Executive branch

18

What part of the federal government writes laws?

Answers: (U.S.) Congress • U.S. Congress • Congress • (U.S. or national) legislature • Legislature • Legislative branch

19

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

Answers: Senate and House (of Representatives) • Senate and House of Representatives • Senate and House

20

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

Answers: Writes laws • Declares war • Makes the federal budget

21

How many U.S. senators are there?

Answers: One hundred (100) • 100 • One hundred

22

How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

Answers: Six (6) years • 6 years • Six years

23

Who is one of your state's U.S. senators now?

Answer: Answers will vary

24

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

Answers: Four hundred thirty-five (435) • 435 • Four hundred thirty-five

25

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

Answers: Two (2) years • 2 years • Two years

26

Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

Answers: To more closely follow public opinion • To be closer to people • To be closer to the people • To follow public opinion • To stay closer to the people

27

How many senators does each state have?

Answers: Two (2) • 2 • Two

28

Why does each state have two senators?

Answers: Equal representation (for small states) • Equal representation • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) • The Great Compromise • Connecticut Compromise

29

Name your U.S. representative.

Answer: Answers will vary

30

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

Answers: Mike Johnson • Johnson

31

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

Answers: Citizens of their state • People of their state

32

Who elects U.S. senators?

Answer: Citizens from their state

33

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Answers: Citizens in their (congressional) district • Citizens in their district • People from their (congressional) district • People in their district

34

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Answers: Citizens from their (congressional) district • Citizens from their district

35

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

Answers: (Because of) the state's population • Because of the state's population • The state's population • (Because) they have more people • They have more people • (Because) some states have more people • Some states have more people

36

The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

Answers: Four (4) years • 4 years • Four years

37

The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

Answers: (Because of) the 22nd Amendment • Because of the 22nd Amendment • The 22nd Amendment • To keep the president from becoming too powerful

38

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Answers: Donald Trump • Trump

39

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

Answers: JD Vance • Vance

40

If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

Answers: The Vice President (of the United States) • The Vice President • Vice President

41

Name one power of the president.

Answers: Signs bills into law • Vetoes bills • Enforces laws • Commander in Chief (of the military) • Commander in Chief • Chief diplomat • Appoints federal judges

42

Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

Answers: The President (of the United States) • The President • President

43

Who signs bills to become laws?

Answers: The President (of the United States) • The President • President

44

Who vetoes bills?

Answers: The President (of the United States) • The President • President

45

Who appoints federal judges?

Answers: The President (of the United States) • The President • President

46

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

Answers: President (of the United States) • President • Cabinet • Federal departments and agencies

47

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Answers: Advises the President (of the United States) • Advises the President

48

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Answers: Attorney General • Secretary of Agriculture • Secretary of Commerce • Secretary of Education • Secretary of Energy • Secretary of Health and Human Services • Secretary of Homeland Security • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development • Secretary of the Interior • Secretary of Labor • Secretary of State • Secretary of Transportation • Secretary of the Treasury • Secretary of Veterans Affairs • Secretary of War (Defense) • Secretary of Defense • Vice-President • Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency • Administrator of the Small Business Administration • Director of the Central Intelligence Agency • Director of the Office of Management and Budget • Director of National Intelligence • United States Trade Representative

49

Why is the Electoral College important?

Answers: It decides who is elected president. • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.

50

What is one part of the judicial branch?

Answers: Supreme Court • Federal Courts

51

What does the judicial branch do?

Answers: Reviews laws • Explains laws • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law • Resolves disputes about the law • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution • Decides if a law goes against the Constitution

52

What is the highest court in the United States?

Answer: Supreme Court

53

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

Answers: Nine (9) • 9 • Nine

54

How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?

Answers: Five (5) • 5 • Five

55

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

Answers: (For) life • For life • Life • Lifetime appointment • (Until) retirement • Until retirement • Retirement

56

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

Answers: To be independent (of politics) • To be independent • To limit outside (political) influence • To limit outside influence

57

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

Answers: John Roberts • Roberts

58

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Answers: Print paper money • Mint coins • Declare war • Create an army • Make treaties • Set foreign policy

59

Name one power that is only for the states.

Answers: Provide schooling and education • Provide protection (police) • Provide protection • Provide safety (fire departments) • Provide safety • Give a driver's license • Approve zoning and land use

60

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

Answers: (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people. • Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

61

Who is the governor of your state now?

Answer: Answers will vary

62

What is the capital of your state?

Answer: Answers will vary

Rights and Responsibilities

63

There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

Answers: Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). • Citizens 18 and older can vote • You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. • You don't have to pay to vote • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) • Any citizen can vote • A male citizen of any race (can vote). • A male citizen of any race can vote

64

Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?

Answers: Citizens • Citizens of the United States • U.S. citizens

65

What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?

Answers: Freedom of expression • Freedom of speech • Freedom of assembly • Freedom to petition the government • Freedom of religion • The right to bear arms

66

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

Answers: The United States • The flag

67

Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

Answers: Give up loyalty to other countries • Defend the (U.S.) Constitution • Defend the Constitution • Obey the laws of the United States • Serve in the military (if needed) • Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed) • Be loyal to the United States

68

How can people become United States citizens?

Answers: Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment • Be born in the United States • Naturalize • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress) • Derive citizenship

69

What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Answers: Vote • Run for office • Join a political party • Help with a campaign • Join a civic group • Join a community group • Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue) • Contact elected officials • Support or oppose an issue or policy • Write to a newspaper

70

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

Answers: Vote • Pay taxes • Obey the law • Serve in the military • Run for office • Work for local, state, or federal government

71

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

Answers: Required by law • All people pay to fund the federal government • Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment) • Required by the Constitution • Civic duty

72

It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.

Answers: Required by law • Civic duty • Makes the draft fair, if needed

American History

Colonial Period and Independence

73

The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.

Answers: Freedom • Political liberty • Religious freedom • Economic opportunity • Escape persecution

74

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Answers: American Indians • Native Americans

75

What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

Answers: Africans • People from Africa

76

What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?

Answers: American Revolution • The (American) Revolutionary War • The American Revolutionary War • Revolutionary War • War for (American) Independence • War for Independence

77

Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

Answers: High taxes • Taxation without representation • High taxes without representation • British soldiers stayed in Americans' houses (boarding, quartering) • British soldiers stayed in Americans' houses • They did not have self-government • Boston Massacre • Boston Tea Party (Tea Act) • Boston Tea Party • Stamp Act • Sugar Act • Townshend Acts • Intolerable (Coercive) Acts • Intolerable Acts

78

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Answers: (Thomas) Jefferson • Thomas Jefferson • Jefferson

79

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

Answer: July 4, 1776

80

The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

Answers: (Battle of) Bunker Hill • Battle of Bunker Hill • Declaration of Independence • Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton) • Washington Crossing the Delaware • Battle of Trenton • (Battle of) Saratoga • Battle of Saratoga • Valley Forge (Encampment) • Valley Forge • (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown) • Battle of Yorktown • British surrender at Yorktown

81

There were 13 original states. Name five.

Answers: New Hampshire • Massachusetts • Rhode Island • Connecticut • New York • New Jersey • Pennsylvania • Delaware • Maryland • Virginia • North Carolina • South Carolina • Georgia

82

What founding document was written in 1787?

Answers: (U.S.) Constitution • U.S. Constitution • Constitution

83

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

Answers: (James) Madison • James Madison • Madison • (Alexander) Hamilton • Alexander Hamilton • Hamilton • (John) Jay • John Jay • Jay • Publius

84

Why were the Federalist Papers important?

Answers: They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution. • They helped people understand the Constitution. • They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution. • They supported passing the Constitution.

85

Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: Founded the first free public libraries • First Postmaster General of the United States • Helped write the Declaration of Independence • Inventor • U.S. diplomat

86

George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: "Father of Our Country" • Father of Our Country • First president of the United States • General of the Continental Army • President of the Constitutional Convention

87

Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: Writer of the Declaration of Independence • Third president of the United States • Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase) • Doubled the size of the United States • Louisiana Purchase • First Secretary of State • Founded the University of Virginia • Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom

88

James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: "Father of the Constitution" • Father of the Constitution • Fourth president of the United States • President during the War of 1812 • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers

89

Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: First Secretary of the Treasury • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers • Helped establish the First Bank of the United States • Aide to General George Washington • Member of the Continental Congress

1800s

90

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

Answers: Louisiana Territory • Louisiana

91

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

Answers: War of 1812 • Mexican-American War • Civil War • Spanish-American War

92

Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

Answers: The Civil War • Civil War

93

The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

Answers: (Battle of) Fort Sumter • Battle of Fort Sumter • Emancipation Proclamation • (Battle of) Vicksburg • Battle of Vicksburg • (Battle of) Gettysburg • Battle of Gettysburg • Sherman's March • (Surrender at) Appomattox • Surrender at Appomattox • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg • Battle of Antietam • Battle of Sharpsburg • Lincoln was assassinated.

94

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) • Freed the slaves • Emancipation Proclamation • Saved (or preserved) the Union • Saved the Union • Preserved the Union • Led the United States during the Civil War • 16th president of the United States • Delivered the Gettysburg Address

95

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Answers: Freed the slaves • Freed slaves in the Confederacy • Freed slaves in the Confederate states • Freed slaves in most Southern states

96

What U.S. war ended slavery?

Answers: The Civil War • Civil War

97

What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?

Answer: 14th Amendment

98

When did all men get the right to vote?

Answers: After the Civil War • During Reconstruction • (With the) 15th Amendment • With the 15th Amendment • 15th Amendment • 1870

99

Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.

Answers: Susan B. Anthony • Elizabeth Cady Stanton • Sojourner Truth • Harriet Tubman • Lucretia Mott • Lucy Stone

Recent American History

100

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

Answers: World War I • World War II • Korean War • Vietnam War • (Persian) Gulf War • Persian Gulf War • Gulf War

101

Why did the United States enter World War I?

Answers: Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships • Because Germany attacked U.S. ships • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia) • To support the Allied Powers • To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) • To oppose the Central Powers

102

When did all women get the right to vote?

Answers: 1920 • After World War I • (With the) 19th Amendment • With the 19th Amendment • 19th Amendment

103

What was the Great Depression?

Answer: Longest economic recession in modern history

104

When did the Great Depression start?

Answers: The Great Crash (1929) • 1929 • Stock market crash of 1929

105

Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?

Answers: (Franklin) Roosevelt • Franklin Roosevelt • Roosevelt • FDR

106

Why did the United States enter World War II?

Answers: (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor • Bombing of Pearl Harbor • Pearl Harbor • Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia) • To support the Allied Powers • To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) • To oppose the Axis Powers

107

Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: General during World War II • President at the end of (during) the Korean War • President during the Korean War • 34th president of the United States • Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System) • Created the Interstate System

108

Who was the United States' main rival during the Cold War?

Answers: Soviet Union • USSR • Russia

109

During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?

Answers: Communism • Nuclear war

110

Why did the United States enter the Korean War?

Answer: To stop the spread of communism

111

Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?

Answer: To stop the spread of communism

112

What did the civil rights movement do?

Answer: Fought to end racial discrimination

113

Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.

Answers: Fought for civil rights • Worked for equality for all Americans • Worked to ensure that people would "not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character" • Worked to ensure that people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character

114

Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?

Answer: To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait

115

What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?

Answers: Terrorists attacked the United States • Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City • Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia • Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania

116

Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Answers: (Global) War on Terror • Global War on Terror • War on Terror • War in Afghanistan • War in Iraq

117

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Answers: Apache • Blackfeet • Cayuga • Cherokee • Cheyenne • Chippewa • Choctaw • Creek • Crow • Hopi • Huron • Inupiat • Lakota • Mohawk • Mohegan • Navajo • Oneida • Onondaga • Pueblo • Seminole • Seneca • Shawnee • Sioux • Teton • Tuscarora

118

Name one example of an American innovation.

Answers: Light bulb • Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine) • Automobile • Cars • Skyscrapers • Airplane • Assembly line • Landing on the moon • Integrated circuit (IC) • Integrated circuit

Symbols and Holidays

Symbols

119

What is the capital of the United States?

Answers: Washington, D.C. • Washington D.C. • D.C.

120

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

Answers: New York (Harbor) • New York Harbor • New York • Liberty Island • New Jersey • near New York City • on the Hudson (River) • Hudson River

121

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

Answers: (Because there were) 13 original colonies • Because there were 13 original colonies • 13 original colonies • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies • The stripes represent the original colonies

122

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

Answers: (Because there is) one star for each state • Because there is one star for each state • One star for each state • (Because) each star represents a state • Each star represents a state • (Because there are) 50 states • Because there are 50 states • 50 states

123

What is the name of the national anthem?

Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner

124

The Nation's first motto was "E Pluribus Unum." What does that mean?

Answers: Out of many, one • We all become one

Holidays

125

What is Independence Day?

Answers: A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain) • A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence • The country's birthday

126

Name three national U.S. holidays.

Answers: New Year's Day • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day • Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday) • Presidents Day • Memorial Day • Juneteenth • Independence Day • Labor Day • Columbus Day • Veterans Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day

127

What is Memorial Day?

Answer: A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service

128

What is Veterans Day?

Answers: A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military • A holiday to honor people in the military • A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military) • A holiday to honor people who have served in the military

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