All 128 USCIS civics questions (2025 test)

What is the form of government of the United States?

Republic

2025 test only

What is the supreme law of the land?

(U.S.) Constitution

Also on the 2008 test as #1

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Forms the government

Also on the 2008 test as #2

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

Self-government

2025 test only

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

Amendments

2025 test only

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

(The basic) rights of Americans

2025 test only

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

Twenty-seven (27)

Also on the 2008 test as #7

Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

It says America is free from British control.

2025 test only

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

Declaration of Independence

2025 test only

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

Equality

2025 test only

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

Declaration of Independence

2025 test only

What is the economic system of the United States?

Capitalism

Also on the 2008 test as #11

What is the rule of law?

Everyone must follow the law.

Also on the 2008 test as #12

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

Declaration of Independence

2025 test only

There are three branches of government. Why?

So one part does not become too powerful

2025 test only

Name the three branches of government.

Legislative, executive, and judicial

2025 test only

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

Executive branch

2025 test only

What part of the federal government writes laws?

(U.S.) Congress

Also on the 2008 test as #16

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

Senate and House (of Representatives)

Also on the 2008 test as #17

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

Writes laws

2025 test only

How many U.S. senators are there?

One hundred (100)

Also on the 2008 test as #18

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

Six (6) years

Also on the 2008 test as #19

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

Depends on where you live

Also on the 2008 test as #20

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

Four hundred thirty-five (435)

Also on the 2008 test as #21

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

Two (2) years

Also on the 2008 test as #22

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

To more closely follow public opinion

2025 test only

How many senators does each state have?

Two (2)

2025 test only

Why does each state have two senators?

Equal representation (for small states)

2025 test only

Name your U.S. representative.

Depends on where you live

Also on the 2008 test as #23

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

Changes with the officeholder

Also on the 2008 test as #47

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

Citizens of their state

Also on the 2008 test as #24

Who elects U.S. senators?

Citizens from their state

2025 test only

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Citizens in their (congressional) district

2025 test only

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Citizens from their (congressional) district

2025 test only

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

(Because of) the state’s population

Also on the 2008 test as #25

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

Four (4) years

Also on the 2008 test as #26

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

(Because of) the 22nd Amendment

2025 test only

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

Changes with the officeholder

Also on the 2008 test as #28

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

Changes with the officeholder

Also on the 2008 test as #29

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

The Vice President (of the United States)

Also on the 2008 test as #30

Name one power of the president.

Signs bills into law

2025 test only

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

The President (of the United States)

Also on the 2008 test as #32

Who signs bills to become laws?

The President (of the United States)

Also on the 2008 test as #33

Who vetoes bills?

The President (of the United States)

Also on the 2008 test as #34

Who appoints federal judges?

The President (of the United States)

2025 test only

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

President (of the United States)

2025 test only

What does the President’s Cabinet do?

Advises the President (of the United States)

Also on the 2008 test as #35

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Attorney General

Also on the 2008 test as #36

Why is the Electoral College important?

It decides who is elected president.

2025 test only

What is one part of the judicial branch?

Supreme Court

2025 test only

What does the judicial branch do?

Reviews laws

Also on the 2008 test as #37

What is the highest court in the United States?

Supreme Court

Also on the 2008 test as #38

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

Nine (9)

Also on the 2008 test as #39

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

Five (5)

2025 test only

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

(For) life

2025 test only

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

To be independent (of politics)

2025 test only

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

Changes with the officeholder

Also on the 2008 test as #40

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Print paper money

Also on the 2008 test as #41

Name one power that is only for the states.

Provide schooling and education

Also on the 2008 test as #42

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.

2025 test only

Who is the governor of your state now?

Depends on where you live

Also on the 2008 test as #43

What is the capital of your state?

Depends on where you live

Also on the 2008 test as #44

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

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

Also on the 2008 test as #48

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

Citizens

2025 test only

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

Freedom of expression

Also on the 2008 test as #51

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

The United States

Also on the 2008 test as #52

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

Give up loyalty to other countries

Also on the 2008 test as #53

How can people become United States citizens?

Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment

2025 test only

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

Vote

Also on the 2008 test as #55

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

Vote

2025 test only

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

Required by law

2025 test only

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

Required by law

2025 test only

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

Freedom

Also on the 2008 test as #58

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

American Indians

Also on the 2008 test as #59

What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

Africans

Also on the 2008 test as #60

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

American Revolution

2025 test only

Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

High taxes

2025 test only

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

(Thomas) Jefferson

Also on the 2008 test as #62

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

Also on the 2008 test as #63

The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

(Battle of) Bunker Hill

2025 test only

There were 13 original states. Name five.

New Hampshire

Also on the 2008 test as #64

What founding document was written in 1787?

(U.S.) Constitution

2025 test only

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

(James) Madison

Also on the 2008 test as #67

Why were the Federalist Papers important?

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

2025 test only

Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

Founded the first free public libraries

Also on the 2008 test as #68

George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

“Father of Our Country”

2025 test only

Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

Writer of the Declaration of Independence

2025 test only

James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

“Father of the Constitution”

2025 test only

Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

First Secretary of the Treasury

2025 test only

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

Louisiana Territory

Also on the 2008 test as #71

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

War of 1812

Also on the 2008 test as #72

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

The Civil War

Also on the 2008 test as #73

The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

(Battle of) Fort Sumter

2025 test only

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

Also on the 2008 test as #75

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves

Also on the 2008 test as #76

What U.S. war ended slavery?

The Civil War

2025 test only

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

14th Amendment

2025 test only

When did all men get the right to vote?

After the Civil War

2025 test only

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

Susan B. Anthony

2025 test only

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

World War I

Also on the 2008 test as #78

Why did the United States enter World War I?

Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships

2025 test only

When did all women get the right to vote?

1920

2025 test only

What was the Great Depression?

Longest economic recession in modern history

2025 test only

When did the Great Depression start?

The Great Crash (1929)

2025 test only

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

(Franklin) Roosevelt

Also on the 2008 test as #80

Why did the United States enter World War II?

(Bombing of) Pearl Harbor

2025 test only

Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.

General during World War II

2025 test only

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

Soviet Union

2025 test only

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

Communism

Also on the 2008 test as #83

Why did the United States enter the Korean War?

To stop the spread of communism

2025 test only

Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?

To stop the spread of communism

2025 test only

What did the civil rights movement do?

Fought to end racial discrimination

2025 test only

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

Fought for civil rights

Also on the 2008 test as #85

Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?

To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait

2025 test only

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

Terrorists attacked the United States

Also on the 2008 test as #86

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

(Global) War on Terror

2025 test only

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Apache

Also on the 2008 test as #87

Name one example of an American innovation.

Light bulb

2025 test only

What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C.

Also on the 2008 test as #94

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

New York (Harbor)

Also on the 2008 test as #95

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

(Because there were) 13 original colonies

Also on the 2008 test as #96

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

(Because there is) one star for each state

Also on the 2008 test as #97

What is the name of the national anthem?

The Star-Spangled Banner

Also on the 2008 test as #98

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

Out of many, one

2025 test only

What is Independence Day?

A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)

2025 test only

Name three national U.S. holidays.

New Year’s Day

Also on the 2008 test as #100

What is Memorial Day?

A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service

2025 test only

What is Veterans Day?

A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military

2025 test only