All 128 Civics Questions and Answers

The complete official list for the 2025 version of the naturalization civics test, with every answer USCIS accepts. Questions marked 65/20 are the 20 that apply if you are 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for 20 years or more.

Reproduced from the official USCIS question list. Nothing here is paraphrased. Where an answer changes with an election or appointment, USCIS does not print a name and neither do we.

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American Government

72 questions

Principles of American Government

Question 1

What is the form of government of the United States?

Republic
Constitution-based federal republic
Representative democracy

Question 2 65/20

What is the supreme law of the land?

(U.S.) Constitution

Question 3

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Forms the government
Defines powers of government
Defines the parts of government
Protects the rights of the people

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

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

Amendments
The amendment process

Question 6

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

(The basic) rights of Americans
(The basic) rights of people living in the United States

Question 7 65/20

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

Twenty-seven (27)

Question 8

Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

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

Question 9

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

Declaration of Independence

Question 10

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

Equality
Liberty
Social contract
Natural rights
Limited government
Self-government

Question 11

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

Declaration of Independence

Question 12 65/20

What is the economic system of the United States?

Capitalism
Free market economy

Question 13

What is the rule of law?

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

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

There are three branches of government. Why?

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

System of Government

Question 16

Name the three branches of government.

Legislative, executive, and judicial
Congress, president, and the courts

Question 17

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

Executive branch

Question 18

What part of the federal government writes laws?

(U.S.) Congress
(U.S. or national) legislature
Legislative branch

Question 19

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

Senate and House (of Representatives)

Question 20 65/20

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

Writes laws
Declares war
Makes the federal budget

Question 21

How many U.S. senators are there?

One hundred (100)

Question 22

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

Six (6) years

Question 23

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

Answers will vary.

District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. senators.

Question 24

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

Four hundred thirty-five (435)

Question 25

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

Two (2) years

Question 26

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

To more closely follow public opinion

Question 27

How many senators does each state have?

Two (2)

Question 28

Why does each state have two senators?

Equal representation (for small states)
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Question 29

Name your U.S. representative.

Answers will vary.

Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) representatives in Congress.

Question 30 65/20

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

Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This answer changes. USCIS does not print the name in its question list either; it publishes the current officeholder separately. Check the official test updates page before your interview and answer with whoever holds the office on that day.

Question 31

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

Citizens of their state
People of their state

Question 32

Who elects U.S. senators?

Citizens from their state

Question 33

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Citizens in their (congressional) district
Citizens in their district
People from their (congressional) district
People in their district

Question 34

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Citizens from their (congressional) district

Question 35

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

(Because of) the state's population
(Because) they have more people
(Because) some states have more people

Question 36 65/20

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

Four (4) years

Question 37

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

(Because of) the 22nd Amendment
To keep the president from becoming too powerful

Question 38 65/20

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

Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States.

Question 39 65/20

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

Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States.

Question 40

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

The Vice President (of the United States)

Question 41

Name one power of the president.

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

Question 42

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

The President (of the United States)

Question 43

Who signs bills to become laws?

The President (of the United States)

Question 44 65/20

Who vetoes bills?

The President (of the United States)

Question 45

Who appoints federal judges?

The President (of the United States)

Question 46

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

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

Question 47

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Advises the President (of the United States)

Question 48

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

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)
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

Question 49

Why is the Electoral College important?

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

Question 50

What is one part of the judicial branch?

Supreme Court
Federal Courts

Question 51

What does the judicial branch do?

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

Question 52 65/20

What is the highest court in the United States?

Supreme Court

Question 53

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

Nine (9)

Question 54

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

Five (5)

Question 55

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

(For) life
Lifetime appointment
(Until) retirement

Question 56

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

To be independent (of politics)
To limit outside (political) influence

Question 57

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.

Question 58

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

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

Question 59

Name one power that is only for the states.

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

Question 60

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

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

Question 61 65/20

Who is the governor of your state now?

Answers will vary.

District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.

Question 62

What is the capital of your state?

Answers will vary.

District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.

Rights and Responsibilities

Question 63

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

Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
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).

Question 64

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

Citizens
Citizens of the United States
U.S. citizens

Question 65

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

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

Question 66 65/20

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

The United States
The flag

Question 67

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

Give up loyalty to other countries
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

Question 68

How can people become United States citizens?

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

Question 69

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

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

Question 70

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

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

Question 71

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

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

Question 72

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

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

American History

46 questions

Colonial Period and Independence

Question 73

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

Freedom
Political liberty
Religious freedom
Economic opportunity
Escape persecution

Question 74 65/20

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

American Indians
Native Americans

Question 75

What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

Africans
People from Africa

Question 76

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

American Revolution
The (American) Revolutionary War
War for (American) Independence

Question 77

Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

High taxes
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

Question 78 65/20

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

(Thomas) Jefferson

Question 79

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

Question 80

The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

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

Question 81

There were 13 original states. Name five.

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

Question 82

What founding document was written in 1787?

(U.S.) Constitution

Question 83

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

(James) Madison
(Alexander) Hamilton
(John) Jay
Publius

Question 84

Why were the Federalist Papers important?

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

Question 85

Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

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

Question 86 65/20

George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

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

Question 87

Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

Writer of the Declaration of Independence
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

Question 88

James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

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

Question 89

Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

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

Question 90

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

Louisiana Territory
Louisiana

Question 91

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

War of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War

Question 92

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

The Civil War

Question 93

The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

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

Question 94 65/20

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

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

Question 95

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves
Freed slaves in the Confederacy
Freed slaves in the Confederate states
Freed slaves in most Southern states

Question 96

What U.S. war ended slavery?

The Civil War

Question 97

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

14th Amendment

Question 98

When did all men get the right to vote?

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

Question 99

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

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

Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

Question 100

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

World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
(Persian) Gulf War

Question 101

Why did the United States enter World War I?

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

Question 102

When did all women get the right to vote?

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

Question 103

What was the Great Depression?

Longest economic recession in modern history

Question 104

When did the Great Depression start?

The Great Crash (1929)
Stock market crash of 1929

Question 105

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

(Franklin) Roosevelt

Question 106

Why did the United States enter World War II?

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

Question 107

Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.

General during World War II
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)

Question 108

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

Soviet Union
USSR
Russia

Question 109

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

Communism
Nuclear war

Question 110

Why did the United States enter the Korean War?

To stop the spread of communism

Question 111

Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?

To stop the spread of communism

Question 112

What did the civil rights movement do?

Fought to end racial discrimination

Question 113 65/20

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

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"

Question 114

Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?

To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait

Question 115 65/20

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

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

Question 116

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