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Civics Question Bank

Study the Official Civics Questions

English text is reproduced verbatim from official USCIS materials. Zomi/Burmese translations are community drafts — look for the "Approved" badge for reviewed translations.

72 question(s) shown. Take a mock test on this set →

#1 — A: Principles of American Government

What is the form of government of the United States?

  • Republic
  • Constitution-based federal republic
  • Representative democracy
#2 — A: Principles of American Government⭐ 65/20

What is the supreme law of the land?

  • (U.S.) Constitution
#3 — A: Principles of American Government

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
#4 — A: Principles of American Government

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
#5 — A: Principles of American Government

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

  • Amendments
  • The amendment process
#6 — A: Principles of American Government

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

  • (The basic) rights of Americans
  • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
#7 — A: Principles of American Government⭐ 65/20

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

  • Twenty-seven (27)
#8 — A: Principles of American Government

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.
#9 — A: Principles of American Government

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

  • Declaration of Independence
#10 — A: Principles of American Government

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

  • Equality
  • Liberty
  • Social contract
  • Natural rights
  • Limited government
  • Self-government
#11 — A: Principles of American Government

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

  • Declaration of Independence
#12 — A: Principles of American Government⭐ 65/20

What is the economic system of the United States?

  • Capitalism
  • Free market economy
#13 — A: Principles of American Government

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.
#14 — A: Principles of American Government

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
#15 — A: Principles of American Government

There are three branches of government. Why?

  • So one part does not become too powerful
  • Checks and balances
  • Separation of powers
#16 — B: System of Government

Name the three branches of government.

  • Legislative, executive, and judicial
  • Congress, president, and the courts
#17 — B: System of Government

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

  • Executive branch
#18 — B: System of Government

What part of the federal government writes laws?

  • (U.S.) Congress
  • (U.S. or national) legislature
  • Legislative branch
#19 — B: System of Government

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

  • Senate and House (of Representatives)
#20 — B: System of Government⭐ 65/20

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

  • Writes laws
  • Declares war
  • Makes the federal budget
#21 — B: System of Government

How many U.S. senators are there?

  • One hundred (100)
#22 — B: System of Government

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

  • Six (6) years
#23 — B: System of Government

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.]
#24 — B: System of Government

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

  • Four hundred thirty-five (435)
#25 — B: System of Government

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

  • Two (2) years
#26 — B: System of Government

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

  • To more closely follow public opinion
#27 — B: System of Government

How many senators does each state have?

  • Two (2)
#28 — B: System of Government

Why does each state have two senators?

  • Equal representation (for small states)
  • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
#29 — B: System of Government

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.]
#30 — B: System of Government⭐ 65/20🔄 Updated Answer

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

  • (Current officeholder — see Officeholders panel for the verified current name.)
#31 — B: System of Government

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

  • Citizens of their state
  • People of their state
#32 — B: System of Government

Who elects U.S. senators?

  • Citizens from their state
#33 — B: System of Government

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
#34 — B: System of Government

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

  • Citizens from their (congressional) district
#35 — B: System of Government

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
#36 — B: System of Government⭐ 65/20

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

  • Four (4) years
#37 — B: System of Government

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
#38 — B: System of Government⭐ 65/20🔄 Updated Answer

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

  • (Current officeholder — see Officeholders panel for the verified current name.)
#39 — B: System of Government⭐ 65/20🔄 Updated Answer

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

  • (Current officeholder — see Officeholders panel for the verified current name.)
#40 — B: System of Government

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

  • The Vice President (of the United States)
#41 — B: System of Government

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
#42 — B: System of Government

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

  • The President (of the United States)
#43 — B: System of Government

Who signs bills to become laws?

  • The President (of the United States)
#44 — B: System of Government⭐ 65/20

Who vetoes bills?

  • The President (of the United States)
#45 — B: System of Government

Who appoints federal judges?

  • The President (of the United States)
#46 — B: System of Government

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

  • President (of the United States)
  • Cabinet
  • Federal departments and agencies
#47 — B: System of Government

What does the President's Cabinet do?

  • Advises the President (of the United States)
#48 — B: System of Government

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)
#49 — B: System of Government

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.
#50 — B: System of Government

What is one part of the judicial branch?

  • Supreme Court
  • Federal Courts
#51 — B: System of Government

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
#52 — B: System of Government⭐ 65/20

What is the highest court in the United States?

  • Supreme Court
#53 — B: System of Government

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

  • Nine (9)
#54 — B: System of Government

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

  • Five (5)
#55 — B: System of Government

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

  • (For) life
  • Lifetime appointment
  • (Until) retirement
#56 — B: System of Government

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

  • To be independent (of politics)
  • To limit outside (political) influence
#57 — B: System of Government🔄 Updated Answer

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

  • (Current officeholder — see Officeholders panel for the verified current name.)
#58 — B: System of Government

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
#59 — B: System of Government

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
#60 — B: System of Government

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.
#61 — B: System of Government⭐ 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.]
#62 — B: System of Government

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.]
#63 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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).
#64 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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
#65 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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
#66 — C: Rights and Responsibilities⭐ 65/20

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

  • The United States
  • The flag
#67 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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
#68 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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)
#69 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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
#70 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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
#71 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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
#72 — C: Rights and Responsibilities

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