USCIS Civics Test Questions

Civics (History and Government) Questions for the Naturalization Test

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the naturalization test are listed below. The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.

On the naturalization test, some answers may change because of elections or appointments. As you study for the test, make sure that you know the most current answers to these questions. Answer these questions with the name of the official who is serving at the time of your eligibility interview with USCIS. The USCIS Officer will not accept an incorrect answer.

Although USCIS is aware that there may be additional correct answers to the 100 civics questions, applicants are encouraged to respond to the civics questions using the answers provided below. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf

* If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk.

Listed below are the 128 civics questions and answers with audio files for the 2020 version of the civics test. These questions cover important topics about American government and history.

The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS officer will ask you to answer 20 out of the 128 civics test questions. You must answer at least 12 questions (or 60%) correctly to pass the 2020 version of the civics test.

On the civics test, some answers may change because of elections or appointments. Visit our Check for Test Updates page to find any answers that may have changed on the civics test. You must answer the question with the name of the official serving at the time of your naturalization interview.

Although USCIS is aware that there may be additional correct answers to the civics questions, applicants are encouraged to respond to the questions using the answers provided below.

65/20 Special Consideration

If you are 65 years old or older and have been living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the 20 questions that have been marked with an asterisk (*) found at the end of each question. You may also take the civics test in the language of your choice. The USCIS officer will ask you to answer 10 out of the 20 civics test questions with an asterisk. You must answer at least 6 out of 10 questions (or 60%) correctly to pass the 2020 version of the civics test.

Listen to all 128 questions and answers (MP3, 65.89 MB)

C: Rights and Responsibilities

63. There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. (Play audio (MP3, 906.89 KB))

• 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. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States? (Play audio (MP3, 683.3 KB))

• Citizens

• Citizens of the United States

• U.S. citizens

65. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? (Play audio (MP3, 1.04 MB))

• Freedom of expression

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of assembly

• Freedom to petition the government

• Freedom of religion

• The right to bear arms

66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?* (Play audio (MP3, 510.52 KB))

• The United States

• The flag

67. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance. (Play audio (MP3, 1.18 MB))

• 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. How can people become United States citizens? (Play audio (MP3, 659.8 KB))

• Naturalize

• Derive citizenship

• Be born in the United States

69. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States? (Play audio (MP3, 1.73 MB))

• 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. What is one way Americans can serve their country? (Play audio) (MP3, 1.1 MB)

• Vote

• Pay taxes

• Obey the law

• Serve in the military

• Run for office

• Work for local, state, or federal government

71. Why is it important to pay federal taxes? (Play audio (MP3, 905.98 KB))

• Required by law

• All people pay to fund the federal government

• Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)

• Civic duty

72. It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why. (Play audio (MP3, 775.95 KB))

• Required by law

• Civic duty

• Makes the draft fair, if needed

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

A: Principles of American Democracy

1. What is the supreme law of the land? ▪ the Constitution

2. What does the Constitution do? ▪ sets up the government ▪ defines the government ▪ protects basic rights of Americans

3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? ▪ We the People

4. What is an amendment? ▪ a change (to the Constitution) ▪ an addition (to the Constitution)

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? ▪ the Bill of Rights

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* ▪ speech ▪ religion ▪ assembly ▪ press ▪ petition the government

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have? ▪ twenty-seven (27)

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? ▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain) ▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain) ▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? ▪ life ▪ liberty ▪ pursuit of happiness

10. What is freedom of religion? ▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

11. What is the economic system in the United States?* ▪ capitalist economy ▪ market economy

12. 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.

B: System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the government.* ▪ Congress ▪ legislative ▪ President ▪ executive ▪ the courts ▪ judicial

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? ▪ checks and balances ▪ separation of powers

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch? ▪ the President

16. Who makes federal laws? ▪ Congress ▪ Senate and House (of Representatives) ▪ (U.S. or national) legislature

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* ▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives)

18. How many U.S. Senators are there? ▪ one hundred (100)

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? ▪ six (6)

20. 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.]

21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? ▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)

22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? ▪ two (2)

23. 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.]

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? ▪ all people of the state

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? ▪ (because of) the state’s population ▪ (because) they have more people ▪ (because) some states have more people

26. We elect a President for how many years? ▪ four (4)

27. In what month do we vote for President?* ▪ November

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? ▪ the Vice President

31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? ▪ the Speaker of the House

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? ▪ the President

33. Who signs bills to become laws? ▪ the President

34. Who vetoes bills? ▪ the President

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do? ▪ advises the President

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions? ▪ Secretary of Agriculture ▪ Secretary of Commerce ▪ Secretary of Defense ▪ 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 ▪ Attorney General ▪ Vice President

37. What does the judicial branch do? ▪ reviews laws ▪ explains laws ▪ resolves disputes (disagreements) ▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution

38. What is the highest court in the United States? ▪ the Supreme Court

39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? ▪ Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

40. 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.

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? ▪ to print money ▪ to declare war ▪ to create an army ▪ to make treaties

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? ▪ provide schooling and education ▪ provide protection (police) ▪ provide safety (fire departments) ▪ give a driver’s license ▪ approve zoning and land use

43. 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.]

44. 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.]

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?* ▪ Democratic and Republican

46. What is the political party of the President now? ▪ Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the political party of the President.

47. 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.

C: Rights and Responsibilities

48. There are four amendments to the 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).

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* ▪ serve on a jury ▪ vote in a federal election

50. Name one right only for United States citizens. ▪ vote in a federal election ▪ run for federal office

51. What are two 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

52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? ▪ the United States ▪ the flag

53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? ▪ give up loyalty to other countries ▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States ▪ obey the laws of the United States ▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed) ▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) ▪ be loyal to the United States

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* ▪ eighteen (18) and older

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? ▪ vote ▪ 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 ▪ call Senators and Representatives ▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy ▪ run for office ▪ write to a newspaper

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* ▪ April 15

57. When must all men register for the Selective Service? ▪ at age eighteen (18) ▪ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)

AMERICAN HISTORY

A: Colonial Period and Independence

58. What is one reason colonists came to America? ▪ freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution

59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? ▪ American Indians ▪ Native Americans

60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? ▪ Africans ▪ people from Africa

61. Why did the colonists fight the British? ▪ because of high taxes (taxation without representation) ▪ because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering) ▪ because they didn’t have self-government

62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? ▪ (Thomas) Jefferson

63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? ▪ July 4, 1776

64. There were 13 original states. Name three. ▪ New Hampshire ▪ Massachusetts ▪ Rhode Island ▪ Connecticut ▪ New York ▪ New Jersey ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Delaware ▪ Maryland ▪ Virginia ▪ North Carolina ▪ South Carolina ▪ Georgia

65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention? ▪ The Constitution was written. ▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

66. When was the Constitution written? ▪ 1787

67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. ▪ (James) Madison ▪ (Alexander) Hamilton ▪ (John) Jay ▪ Publius

68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? ▪ U.S. diplomat ▪ oldest member of the Constitutional Convention ▪ first Postmaster General of the United States ▪ writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac” ▪ started the first free libraries

69. Who is the “Father of Our Country”? ▪ (George) Washington

70. Who was the first President?* ▪ (George) Washington

B: 1800s

71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? ▪ the Louisiana Territory ▪ Louisiana

72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. ▪ War of 1812 ▪ Mexican-American War ▪ Civil War ▪ Spanish-American War

73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. ▪ the Civil War ▪ the War between the States

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War. ▪ slavery ▪ economic reasons ▪ states’ rights

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?* ▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) ▪ saved (or preserved) the Union ▪ led the United States during the Civil War

76. 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

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do? ▪ fought for women’s rights ▪ fought for civil rights

C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.* ▪ World War I ▪ World War II ▪ Korean War ▪ Vietnam War ▪ (Persian) Gulf War

79. Who was President during World War I? ▪ (Woodrow) Wilson

80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? ▪ (Franklin) Roosevelt

81. Who did the United States fight in World War II? ▪ Japan, Germany, and Italy

82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in? ▪ World War II

83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? ▪ Communism

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination? ▪ civil rights (movement)

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* ▪ fought for civil rights ▪ worked for equality for all Americans

86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States? ▪ Terrorists attacked the United States.

87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. [USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.] ▪ Cherokee ▪ Navajo ▪ Sioux ▪ Chippewa ▪ Choctaw ▪ Pueblo ▪ Apache ▪ Iroquois ▪ Creek ▪ Blackfeet ▪ Seminole ▪ Cheyenne ▪ Arawak ▪ Shawnee ▪ Mohegan ▪ Huron ▪ Oneida ▪ Lakota ▪ Crow ▪ Teton ▪ Hopi ▪ Inuit

INTEGRATED CIVICS

A: Geography

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. ▪ Missouri (River) ▪ Mississippi (River)

89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? ▪ Pacific (Ocean)

90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? ▪ Atlantic (Ocean)

91. Name one U.S. territory. ▪ Puerto Rico ▪ U.S. Virgin Islands ▪ American Samoa ▪ Northern Mariana Islands ▪ Guam

92. Name one state that borders Canada. ▪ Maine ▪ New Hampshire ▪ Vermont ▪ New York ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Ohio ▪ Michigan ▪ Minnesota ▪ North Dakota ▪ Montana ▪ Idaho ▪ Washington ▪ Alaska

93. Name one state that borders Mexico. ▪ California ▪ Arizona ▪ New Mexico ▪ Texas

94. What is the capital of the United States?* ▪ Washington, D.C.

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?* ▪ New York (Harbor) ▪ Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]

B: Symbols

96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? ▪ because there were 13 original colonies ▪ because the stripes represent the original colonies

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?* ▪ because there is one star for each state ▪ because each star represents a state ▪ because there are 50 states

98. What is the name of the national anthem? ▪ The Star-Spangled Banner

C: Holidays

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?* ▪ July 4

100. Name two national U.S. holidays. ▪ New Year’s Day ▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ▪ Presidents’ Day ▪ Memorial Day ▪ Independence Day ▪ Labor Day ▪ Columbus Day ▪ Veterans Day ▪ Thanksgiving ▪ Christmas

Promo - Civics Practice Test for the Naturalization Test 1:38

USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools App 1:14

01 of 100: What is the supreme law of the land? :18

02 of 100: What does the Constitution do? :24

03 of 100: The idea of self-govt. is in the first 3 words of the Constitution. What are these words? :23

04 of 100: What is an amendment? :22

05 of 100: What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? :22

06 of 100: What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* :24

07 of 100: How many amendments does the Constitution have? :19

08 of 100: What did the Declaration of Independence do? :33

09 of 100: What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? :25

10 of 100: What is freedom of religion? :21

11 of 100: What is the economic system in the United States?* :21

12 of 100: What is the “rule of law”? :27

13 of 100: Name one branch or part of the government.* :25

14 of 100: What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? :24

15 of 100: Who is in charge of the executive branch? :19

16 of 100: Who makes federal laws? :25

17 of 100: What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* :22

18 of 100: How many U.S. Senators are there? :19

19 of 100: We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? :20

20 of 100: Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?* :36

21 of 100: The House of Representatives has how many voting members? :20

22 of 100: We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? :19

23 of 100: Name your U.S. Representative. :41

24 of 100: Who does a U.S. Senator represent? :23

25 of 100: Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? :27

26 of 100: We elect a President for how many years? :21

27 of 100: In what month do we vote for President?* :20

28 of 100: What is the name of the President of the United States now?* :28

29 of 100: What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? :29

30 of 100: If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? :21

31 of 100: If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? :22

32 of 100: Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? :21

33 of 100: Who signs bills to become laws? :19

34 of 100: Who vetoes bills? :17

35 of 100: What does the President’s Cabinet do? :19

36 of 100: What are two Cabinet-level positions? 1:00

37 of 100: What does the judicial branch do? :28

38 of 100: What is the highest court in the United States? :22

39 of 100: How many justices are on the Supreme Court? :26

40 of 100: Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? :29

41 of 100:Under our Const., some powers belong to the fed. gov't. What is 1 power of the fed. gov't? :28

42 of 100: Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is 1 power of the states? :36

43 of 100: Who is the Governor of your state now? :27

44 of 100: What is the capital of your state?* :30

45 of 100: What are the two major political parties in the United States?* :21

46 of 100: What is the political party of the President now? :26

47 of 100: What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? :28

48 of 100: There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. :36

49 of 100: What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* :24

50 of 100: Name one right only for United States citizens. :23

51 of 100: What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? :34

52 of 100: What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? :23

53 of 100: What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? :42

54 of 100: How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* :20

55 of 100: What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? :47

56 of 100: When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* :21

57 of 100: When must all men register for the Selective Service? :24

58 of 100: What is one reason colonists came to America? :31

59 of 100: Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? :23

60 of 100: What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? :22

61 of 100: Why did the colonists fight the British? :31

62 of 100: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? :19

63 of 100: When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? :21

64 of 100: There were 13 original states. Name three. :41

65 of 100: What happened at the Constitutional Convention? :23

66 of 100: When was the Constitution written? :21

67 of 100: The Federalist Papers supported passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers :31

68 of 100: What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? :33

69 of 100: Who is the “Father of Our Country”? :18

70 of 100: Who was the first President?* :18

71 of 100: What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? :24

72 of 100: Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. :28

73 of 100: Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. :21

74 of 100: Name one problem that led to the Civil War. :23

75 of 100: What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?* :30

76 of 100: What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? :31

77 of 100: What did Susan B. Anthony do? :22

78 of 100: Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.* :29

79 of 100: Who was President during World War I? :20

80 of 100: Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? :21

81 of 100: Who did the United States fight in World War II? :20

82 of 100: Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in? :21

83 of 100: During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? :19

84 of 100: What movement tried to end racial discrimination? :19

85 of 100: What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* :22

86 of 100: What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States? :21

87 of 100: Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. :48

88 of 100: Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. :21

89 of 100: What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? :20

90 of 100: What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? :19

91 of 100: Name one U.S. territory. :24

92 of 100: Name one state that borders Canada. :34

93 of 100: Name one state that borders Mexico. :23

94 of 100: What is the capital of the United States?* :18

95 of 100: Where is the Statue of Liberty?* :26

96 of 100: Why does the flag have 13 stripes? :23

97 of 100: Why does the flag have 50 stars?* :24

98 of 100: What is the name of the national anthem? :18

99 of 100: When do we celebrate Independence Day?* :18

100 of 100: Name two national U.S. holidays. :34