The 100 questions - 2008 test version
All 100 USCIS civics questions (2008 test)
The complete official set for the 2008 version of the U.S. naturalization civics test, which applies if you filed Form N-400 before Oct 20, 2025: the officer asks up to 10 of these and you must answer 6 correctly. Applicants who filed on or after that date take the 2025 test (up to 20 of 128 questions, 12 to pass) - practice it on the practice test page, and confirm your version on the official USCIS test-updates page. Every question links to its answer, an explanation, and why it matters. Answers that depend on current officeholders are kept up to date (verified 2026-07-26).
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
sets up the government
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What is an amendment?
a change (to the Constitution)
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
speech
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
twenty-seven (27)
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
announced our independence (from Great Britain)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life
What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalist economy
What is the "rule of law"?
Everyone must follow the law.
Name one branch or part of the government.
Congress
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
How many U.S. Senators are there?
one hundred (100)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
six (6)
Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?
Answer depends on your state
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two (2)
Name your U.S. Representative.
Answer depends on your state
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
all people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
(because of) the state's population
We elect a President for how many years?
four (4)
In what month do we vote for President?
November
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Donald J. Trump
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
JD Vance
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Vice President
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
the President
Who signs bills to become laws?
the President
Who vetoes bills?
the President
What does the President's Cabinet do?
advises the President
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
nine (9)
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
to print money
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
provide schooling and education
Who is the Governor of your state now?
Answer depends on your state
What is the capital of your state?
Answer depends on your state
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Democratic and Republican
What is the political party of the President now?
Republican Party
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Mike Johnson
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
serve on a jury
Name one right only for United States citizens.
vote in a federal election
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of expression
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
give up loyalty to other countries
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
eighteen (18) and older
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
vote
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
at age eighteen (18)
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans
Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
There were 13 original states. Name three.
New Hampshire
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written.
When was the Constitution written?
1787
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat
Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
(George) Washington
Who was the first President?
(George) Washington
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
the Louisiana Territory
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
the Civil War
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
slavery
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women's rights
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I
Who was President during World War I?
(Woodrow) Wilson
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
(Franklin) Roosevelt
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
civil rights (movement)
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?
fought for civil rights
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States.
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Cherokee
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
Missouri (River)
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific (Ocean)
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
Atlantic (Ocean)
Name one U.S. territory.
Puerto Rico
Name one state that borders Canada.
Maine
Name one state that borders Mexico.
California
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York (Harbor)
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
because there were 13 original colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
because there is one star for each state
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
Name two national U.S. holidays.
New Year's Day
Guides
How the test works around these questions
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