128 Civics Questions and Answers

Government

1. What is the form of government of the United States?

   easy

   Answer: Republic (also accepted: Constitution-based federal republic; Representative democracy)

   View explanation & practice →Question 1 in Government

2. What is the supreme law of the land?★

   easy

   Answer: (U.S.) Constitution

   View explanation & practice →Question 2 in Government

3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

   easy

   Answer: Forms the government (also accepted: Defines powers of government; Defines the parts of government; Protects the rights of the people)

   View explanation & practice →Question 3 in Government

4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?

   medium

   Answer: Self-government (also accepted: Popular sovereignty; Consent of the governed; People should govern themselves)

   View explanation & practice →Question 4 in Government

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

   easy

   Answer: Amendments (also accepted: The amendment process)

   View explanation & practice →Question 5 in Government

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

   medium

   Answer: Twenty-seven (27)

   View explanation & practice →Question 6 in Government

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

   hard

   Answer: Equality (also accepted: Liberty; Social contract; Natural rights; Limited government; Self-government)

   View explanation & practice →Question 7 in Government

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

   medium

   Answer: Declaration of Independence (also accepted: Articles of Confederation; Federalist Papers; Anti-Federalist Papers; Virginia Declaration of Rights; Fundamental Orders of Connecticut; Mayflower Compact; Iroquois Great Law of Peace)

   View explanation & practice →Question 8 in Government

9. There are three branches of government. Why?

   medium

   Answer: So one part does not become too powerful (also accepted: Checks and balances; Separation of powers)

   View explanation & practice →Question 9 in Government

10. Name the three branches of government.

    easy

    Answer: Legislative, executive, and judicial (also accepted: Congress, president, and the courts)

    View explanation & practice →Question 10 in Government

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

    easy

    Answer: Executive branch

    View explanation & practice →Question 11 in Government

12. What part of the federal government writes laws?

    easy

    Answer: (U.S.) Congress (also accepted: (U.S. or national) legislature; Legislative branch)

    View explanation & practice →Question 12 in Government

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

    easy

    Answer: Senate and House (of Representatives)

    View explanation & practice →Question 13 in Government

14. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.★

    easy

    Answer: Writes laws (also accepted: Declares war; Makes the federal budget)

    View explanation & practice →Question 14 in Government

15. How many U.S. senators are there?

    easy

    Answer: One hundred (100)

    View explanation & practice →Question 15 in Government

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

    easy

    Answer: Six (6) years

    View explanation & practice →Question 16 in Government

17. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

    medium

    Answer: Four hundred thirty-five (435)

    View explanation & practice →Question 17 in Government

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

    easy

    Answer: Two (2) years

    View explanation & practice →Question 18 in Government

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

    hard

    Answer: To more closely follow public opinion

    View explanation & practice →Question 19 in Government

20. How many senators does each state have?

    easy

    Answer: Two (2)

    View explanation & practice →Question 20 in Government

21. Why does each state have two senators?

    hard

    Answer: Equal representation (for small states) (also accepted: The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise))

    View explanation & practice →Question 21 in Government

22. Who does a U.S. senator represent?

    easy

    Answer: Citizens of their state (also accepted: People of their state)

    View explanation & practice →Question 22 in Government

23. Who elects U.S. senators?

    easy

    Answer: Citizens from their state

    View explanation & practice →Question 23 in Government

24. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

    easy

    Answer: Citizens in their (congressional) district (also accepted: Citizens in their district; People from their (congressional) district; People in their district)

    View explanation & practice →Question 24 in Government

25. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

    easy

    Answer: Citizens from their (congressional) district

    View explanation & practice →Question 25 in Government

26. Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

    easy

    Answer: (Because of) the state’s population (also accepted: (Because) they have more people; (Because) some states have more people)

    View explanation & practice →Question 26 in Government

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

    easy

    Answer: Four (4) years

    View explanation & practice →Question 27 in Government

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

    hard

    Answer: (Because of) the 22nd Amendment (also accepted: To keep the president from becoming too powerful)

    View explanation & practice →Question 28 in Government

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

    easy

    Answer: The Vice President (of the United States)

    View explanation & practice →Question 29 in Government

30. Name one power of the president.

    easy

    Answer: Signs bills into law (also accepted: Vetoes bills; Enforces laws; Commander in Chief (of the military); Chief diplomat; Appoints federal judges)

    View explanation & practice →Question 30 in Government

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

    easy

    Answer: The President (of the United States)

    View explanation & practice →Question 31 in Government

32. Who signs bills to become laws?

    easy

    Answer: The President (of the United States)

    View explanation & practice →Question 32 in Government

33. Who vetoes bills?★

    easy

    Answer: The President (of the United States)

    View explanation & practice →Question 33 in Government

34. Who appoints federal judges?

    medium

    Answer: The President (of the United States)

    View explanation & practice →Question 34 in Government

35. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

    easy

    Answer: President (of the United States) (also accepted: Cabinet; Federal departments and agencies)

    View explanation & practice →Question 35 in Government

36. What does the President’s Cabinet do?

    easy

    Answer: Advises the President (of the United States)

    View explanation & practice →Question 36 in Government

37. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

    medium

    Answer: Attorney General (also accepted: Secretary of State; Secretary of Defense; Secretary of the Treasury)

    View explanation & practice →Question 37 in Government

38. Why is the Electoral College important?

    hard

    Answer: It decides who is elected president. (also accepted: It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.)

    View explanation & practice →Question 38 in Government

39. What is one part of the judicial branch?

    easy

    Answer: Supreme Court (also accepted: Federal Courts)

    View explanation & practice →Question 39 in Government

40. What does the judicial branch do?

    easy

    Answer: Reviews laws (also accepted: Explains laws; Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law; Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution)

    View explanation & practice →Question 40 in Government

41. What is the highest court in the United States?★

    easy

    Answer: Supreme Court

    View explanation & practice →Question 41 in Government

42. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

    easy

    Answer: Nine (9)

    View explanation & practice →Question 42 in Government

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

    hard

    Answer: Five (5)

    View explanation & practice →Question 43 in Government

44. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

    medium

    Answer: (For) life (also accepted: Lifetime appointment; (Until) retirement)

    View explanation & practice →Question 44 in Government

45. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

    hard

    Answer: To be independent (of politics) (also accepted: To limit outside (political) influence)

    View explanation & practice →Question 45 in Government

46. Name one power that is only for the federal government.

    medium

    Answer: Print paper money (also accepted: Mint coins; Declare war; Create an army; Make treaties; Set foreign policy)

    View explanation & practice →Question 46 in Government

47. Name one power that is only for the states.

    medium

    Answer: Provide schooling and education (also accepted: Provide protection (police); Provide safety (fire departments); Give a driver’s license; Approve zoning and land use)

    View explanation & practice →Question 47 in Government

48. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

    hard

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

    View explanation & practice →Question 48 in Government

History

1. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

   easy

   Answer: It says America is free from British control. (also accepted: It says all people are created equal.; It identifies inherent rights.; It identifies individual freedoms.)

   View explanation & practice →Question 1 in History

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

   easy

   Answer: Declaration of Independence

   View explanation & practice →Question 2 in History

3. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?

   easy

   Answer: Declaration of Independence

   View explanation & practice →Question 3 in History

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

   easy

   Answer: Freedom (also accepted: Political liberty; Religious freedom; Economic opportunity; Escape persecution)

   View explanation & practice →Question 4 in History

5. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?★

   easy

   Answer: American Indians (also accepted: Native Americans)

   View explanation & practice →Question 5 in History

6. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

   easy

   Answer: Africans (also accepted: People from Africa)

   View explanation & practice →Question 6 in History

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

   easy

   Answer: American Revolution (also accepted: The (American) Revolutionary War; War for (American) Independence)

   View explanation & practice →Question 7 in History

8. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

   easy

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

   View explanation & practice →Question 8 in History

9. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?★

   easy

   Answer: (Thomas) Jefferson

   View explanation & practice →Question 9 in History

10. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

    medium

    Answer: (Battle of) Bunker Hill (also accepted: Declaration of Independence; Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton); (Battle of) Saratoga; Valley Forge (Encampment); (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown))

    View explanation & practice →Question 10 in History

11. There were 13 original states. Name five.

    medium

    Answer: New Hampshire (also accepted: Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Delaware; Maryland; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Georgia)

    View explanation & practice →Question 11 in History

12. What founding document was written in 1787?

    easy

    Answer: (U.S.) Constitution

    View explanation & practice →Question 12 in History

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

    hard

    Answer: (James) Madison (also accepted: (Alexander) Hamilton; (John) Jay; Publius)

    View explanation & practice →Question 13 in History

14. Why were the Federalist Papers important?

    hard

    Answer: They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution. (also accepted: They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.)

    View explanation & practice →Question 14 in History

15. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

    medium

    Answer: Founded the first free public libraries (also accepted: First Postmaster General of the United States; Helped write the Declaration of Independence; Inventor; U.S. diplomat)

    View explanation & practice →Question 15 in History

16. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.★

    easy

    Answer: “Father of Our Country” (also accepted: First president of the United States; General of the Continental Army; President of the Constitutional Convention)

    View explanation & practice →Question 16 in History

17. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

    medium

    Answer: Writer of the Declaration of Independence (also accepted: Third president of the United States; 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)

    View explanation & practice →Question 17 in History

18. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

    medium

    Answer: “Father of the Constitution” (also accepted: Fourth president of the United States; President during the War of 1812; One of the writers of the Federalist Papers)

    View explanation & practice →Question 18 in History

19. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

    medium

    Answer: First Secretary of the Treasury (also accepted: 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)

    View explanation & practice →Question 19 in History

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

    easy

    Answer: Louisiana Territory (also accepted: Louisiana)

    View explanation & practice →Question 20 in History

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

    easy

    Answer: War of 1812 (also accepted: Mexican-American War; Civil War; Spanish-American War)

    View explanation & practice →Question 21 in History

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

    easy

    Answer: The Civil War

    View explanation & practice →Question 22 in History

23. The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

    medium

    Answer: (Battle of) Fort Sumter (also accepted: Emancipation Proclamation; (Battle of) Vicksburg; (Battle of) Gettysburg; Sherman’s March; (Surrender at) Appomattox; (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg; Lincoln was assassinated.)

    View explanation & practice →Question 23 in History

24. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.★

    easy

    Answer: Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) (also accepted: Saved (or preserved) the Union; Led the United States during the Civil War; 16th president of the United States; Delivered the Gettysburg Address)

    View explanation & practice →Question 24 in History

25. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

    medium

    Answer: Freed the slaves (also accepted: Freed slaves in the Confederacy; Freed slaves in the Confederate states; Freed slaves in most Southern states)

    View explanation & practice →Question 25 in History

26. What U.S. war ended slavery?

    easy

    Answer: The Civil War

    View explanation & practice →Question 26 in History

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

    hard

    Answer: 14th Amendment

    View explanation & practice →Question 27 in History

28. When did all men get the right to vote?

    medium

    Answer: After the Civil War (also accepted: During Reconstruction; (With the) 15th Amendment; 1870)

    View explanation & practice →Question 28 in History

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

    medium

    Answer: Susan B. Anthony (also accepted: Elizabeth Cady Stanton; Sojourner Truth; Harriet Tubman; Lucretia Mott; Lucy Stone)

    View explanation & practice →Question 29 in History

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

    easy

    Answer: World War I (also accepted: World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War; (Persian) Gulf War)

    View explanation & practice →Question 30 in History

31. Why did the United States enter World War I?

    medium

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

    View explanation & practice →Question 31 in History

32. When did all women get the right to vote?

    medium

    Answer: 1920 (also accepted: After World War I; (With the) 19th Amendment)

    View explanation & practice →Question 32 in History

33. What was the Great Depression?

    medium

    Answer: Longest economic recession in modern history

    View explanation & practice →Question 33 in History

34. When did the Great Depression start?

    medium

    Answer: The Great Crash (1929) (also accepted: Stock market crash of 1929)

    View explanation & practice →Question 34 in History

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

    easy

    Answer: (Franklin) Roosevelt

    View explanation & practice →Question 35 in History

36. Why did the United States enter World War II?

    easy

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

    View explanation & practice →Question 36 in History

37. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.

    medium

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

    View explanation & practice →Question 37 in History

38. Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?

    easy

    Answer: Soviet Union (also accepted: USSR; Russia)

    View explanation & practice →Question 38 in History

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

    medium

    Answer: Communism (also accepted: Nuclear war)

    View explanation & practice →Question 39 in History

40. Why did the United States enter the Korean War?

    medium

    Answer: To stop the spread of communism

    View explanation & practice →Question 40 in History

41. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?

    medium

    Answer: To stop the spread of communism

    View explanation & practice →Question 41 in History

42. What did the civil rights movement do?

    easy

    Answer: Fought to end racial discrimination

    View explanation & practice →Question 42 in History

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

    easy

    Answer: Fought for civil rights (also accepted: 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”)

    View explanation & practice →Question 43 in History

44. Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?

    medium

    Answer: To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait

    View explanation & practice →Question 44 in History

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

    easy

    Answer: Terrorists attacked the United States (also accepted: 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)

    View explanation & practice →Question 45 in History

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

    medium

    Answer: (Global) War on Terror (also accepted: War in Afghanistan; War in Iraq)

    View explanation & practice →Question 46 in History

47. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

    easy

    Answer: Apache (also accepted: Blackfeet; Cayuga; Cherokee; Cheyenne; Chippewa; Choctaw; Creek; Crow; Hopi; Huron; Inupiat; Lakota; Mohawk; Mohegan; Navajo; Oneida; Onondaga; Pueblo; Seminole; Seneca; Shawnee; Sioux; Teton; Tuscarora)

    View explanation & practice →Question 47 in History

48. Name one example of an American innovation.

    medium

    Answer: Light bulb (also accepted: Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine); Skyscrapers; Airplane; Assembly line; Landing on the moon; Integrated circuit (IC))

    View explanation & practice →Question 48 in History

Rights & Responsibilities

1. What does the Bill of Rights protect?

   easy

   Answer: (The basic) rights of Americans (also accepted: (The basic) rights of people living in the United States)

   View explanation & practice →Question 1 in Rights & Responsibilities

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

   medium

   Answer: Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). (also accepted: You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.; Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.); A male citizen of any race (can vote).)

   View explanation & practice →Question 2 in Rights & Responsibilities

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

   easy

   Answer: Citizens (also accepted: Citizens of the United States; U.S. citizens)

   View explanation & practice →Question 3 in Rights & Responsibilities

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

   easy

   Answer: Freedom of expression (also accepted: Freedom of speech; Freedom of assembly; Freedom to petition the government; Freedom of religion; The right to bear arms)

   View explanation & practice →Question 4 in Rights & Responsibilities

Geography

1. What is the capital of the United States?

   easy

   Answer: Washington, D.C.

   View explanation & practice →Question 1 in Geography

2. Where is the Statue of Liberty?

   easy

   Answer: New York (Harbor) (also accepted: Liberty Island)

   View explanation & practice →Question 2 in Geography

Symbols & Holidays

1. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?★

   easy

   Answer: (Because there were) 13 original colonies (also accepted: (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies)

   View explanation & practice →Question 1 in Symbols & Holidays

2. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

   easy

   Answer: (Because there is) one star for each state (also accepted: (Because) each star represents a state; (Because there are) 50 states)

   View explanation & practice →Question 2 in Symbols & Holidays

3. What is the name of the national anthem?

   easy

   Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner

   View explanation & practice →Question 3 in Symbols & Holidays

4. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?

   medium

   Answer: Out of many, one (also accepted: We all become one)

   View explanation & practice →Question 4 in Symbols & Holidays

5. What is Independence Day?

   easy

   Answer: A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain) (also accepted: The country’s birthday)

   View explanation & practice →Question 5 in Symbols & Holidays

6. Name three national U.S. holidays.★

   easy

   Answer: New Year’s Day (also accepted: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday); Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day)

   View explanation & practice →Question 6 in Symbols & Holidays

7. What is Memorial Day?

   medium

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

   View explanation & practice →Question 7 in Symbols & Holidays

8. What is Veterans Day?

   medium

   Answer: A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military (also accepted: A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military))

   View explanation & practice →Question 8 in Symbols & Holidays

Civics & Values

1. What is the economic system of the United States?★

   easy

   Answer: Capitalism (also accepted: Free market economy)

   View explanation & practice →Question 1 in Civics & Values

2. What is the rule of law?

   easy

   Answer: Everyone must follow the law. (also accepted: Leaders must obey the law.; Government must obey the law.; No one is above the law.)

   View explanation & practice →Question 2 in Civics & Values

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

   easy

   Answer: The United States (also accepted: The flag)

   View explanation & practice →Question 3 in Civics & Values

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

   medium

   Answer: Give up loyalty to other countries (also accepted: Defend the (U.S.) 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)

   View explanation & practice →Question 4 in Civics & Values

5. How can people become United States citizens?

   medium

   Answer: Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment (also accepted: Naturalize; Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress))

   View explanation & practice →Question 5 in Civics & Values

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

   easy

   Answer: Vote (also accepted: 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)

   View explanation & practice →Question 6 in Civics & Values

7. What is one way Americans can serve their country?

   easy

   Answer: Vote (also accepted: Pay taxes; Obey the law; Serve in the military; Run for office; Work for local, state, or federal government)

   View explanation & practice →Question 7 in Civics & Values

8. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

   medium

   Answer: Required by law (also accepted: All people pay to fund the federal government; Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment); Civic duty)

   View explanation & practice →Question 8 in Civics & Values

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

   hard

   Answer: Required by law (also accepted: Civic duty; Makes the draft fair, if needed)

   View explanation & practice →Question 9 in Civics & Values

Questions answered at your interview

The remaining official questions ask about officials who represent you or currently hold national office. Their answers depend on where you live and when you are interviewed, so look them up shortly before your test at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates:

• Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?
• Name your U.S. representative.
• What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
• What is the name of the President of the United States now?
• What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
• Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
• Who is the governor of your state now?
• What is the capital of your state?