Civics questions
All 128 Civics Test Questions, Answered
Every question on the 2025 version of the naturalization civics test, the one you sit in 2026, with the accepted answers and a way to remember them.
American Government Questions 1 to 72
-
1 Form of government of the United States
The answer is a republic. Here are all three accepted answers, why the word democracy on its own is risky, and a memory hook you already say out loud.
-
2 Supreme law of the land
The answer is the U.S. Constitution. Here is what officers accept, why the question is on the test, and a trick that makes the answer hard to forget.
-
3 What the Constitution does
The Constitution forms the government. Here are the accepted answers, the word hiding inside constitution that carries the meaning, and what to say aloud.
-
4 What We the People means
The answer is self-government. Here is what the opening words of the Constitution claim, the accepted answers, and the easiest one to say aloud.
-
5 How the Constitution is changed
The answer is amendments. Here is how the two-step amendment process works, who has no role in it at all, and the word inside amend that carries the meaning.
-
6 What the Bill of Rights protects
The answer is the basic rights of Americans. Here are both accepted answers, why naming single freedoms misses the question, and the exact words to use.
-
7 How many amendments the Constitution has
The answer is twenty-seven. Here is the arithmetic that keeps 27 apart from the 10 of the Bill of Rights, and why two canceled amendments still count.
-
8 Why the Declaration of Independence is important
Several answers count, starting with the claim that America is free from British control. Here is what each one means and a three word chain that holds them.
-
9 The document that freed the colonies
The answer is the Declaration of Independence. Here is how to sort the three founding documents by date and by job, so you never hand back the wrong one.
-
10 Important ideas from the founding documents
Say equality and liberty. Here is what each accepted idea means, where it appears in both documents, and why this question needs two answers instead of one.
-
11 Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness
The phrase is in the Declaration of Independence. Here is where it sits, the similar line in the Constitution that fools people, and how to tell them apart.
-
12 Economic system of the United States
The answer is capitalism, and free market economy also counts. Here is what both terms describe, the phrase to avoid, and the one word to say to the officer.
-
13 The rule of law
The rule of law means everyone must follow the law. Here are the accepted answers, why officers ask this one, and the shortest answer to say out loud.
-
14 Documents that influenced the Constitution
Name one, not all of them. The Declaration of Independence is one of the accepted answers. Here is what each document did and which one to say on test day.
-
15 Why there are three branches
So one part does not become too powerful. Here are all three accepted answers, the history behind the split of power, and the exact words to say on test day.
-
16 The three branches of government
Legislative, executive, and judicial. Officers also accept Congress, president, and the courts. Here is what each branch does and how to hold all three.
-
17 The branch the president leads
The president heads the executive branch. Here is what that branch does, why officers ask this one, and a word trick that makes the answer stick for good.
-
18 The part of government that writes laws
Congress writes the laws. Officers also accept the legislature or the legislative branch. Here is why the president is the wrong answer and how to remember.
-
19 The two parts of Congress
The Senate and the House of Representatives. Here is what each chamber counts, why Congress was built in two halves, and how to name both without stalling.
-
20 One power of the U.S. Congress
Writes laws, declares war, or makes the federal budget. This starred question needs only one power. Here is what each one means and how to hold all three.
-
21 How many U.S. senators there are
One hundred. The number comes straight from 50 states times two senators each. Here is how to keep 100 apart from the other Congress numbers on the test.
-
22 How long a senator's term is
Six years. Here is why the Senate term is the long one, how the staggered elections work, and a word trick that keeps six from swapping places with two.
-
23 Your state's U.S. senators
The answer depends on where you live, and it changes with elections. Here is how to look up your two senators, plus the D.C. and territory exceptions.
-
24 Voting members of the House
Four hundred thirty-five (435). Here is why the question says voting members, where the number comes from, and how to keep 435 apart from 100 and 535.
-
25 How long a House term is
Two years. The whole House is elected every two years. Here is how that term works and a simple rule that stops two from swapping with the Senate's six.
-
26 Why House terms are shorter
To more closely follow public opinion. Here is what that means, how the two-year term keeps the House tied to voters, and the exact words to say out loud.
-
27 Senators per state
Two. Every state gets the same two senators regardless of size, and 50 states times two is where the Senate's 100 comes from. Here is how to keep it straight.
-
28 Why each state has two senators
Equal representation, decided by the Great Compromise. Here is the deal behind the answer, what officers accept, and a simple way to keep it straight.
-
29 Your U.S. representative
The answer depends on your address. Here is how to look up your own representative, what territory and D.C. residents can say, and how to keep it current.
-
30 The Speaker of the House now
This answer changes, so USCIS publishes it at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. Here is how the job changes hands and how to lock the current name in.
-
31 Who a U.S. senator represents
A senator represents the citizens of their state. Here are the accepted answers, why the job covers the whole state, and a two-word way to remember it.
-
32 Who elects U.S. senators
Citizens of the state elect their senators by direct vote. Here is the amendment that changed it, the wrong answer that used to be right, and how to say it.
-
33 Who a House member represents
A House member represents the citizens in their congressional district. Here is what a district is, why the answer is not the state, and how to lock it in.
-
34 Who elects House members
Citizens in the congressional district elect their House member. Here is why only your district votes for your seat, the trap answer, and how to remember it.
-
35 Why states have different numbers of representatives
Because of the state's population. Here is how the census moves House seats every ten years, both accepted answers, and a four-word way to remember it.
-
36 The length of a presidential term
Four years. Here is why the writers picked that number, how it fits with House and Senate terms, and two cycles you already watch that carry the answer.
-
37 The two-term limit
Because of the 22nd Amendment, or to keep the president from becoming too powerful. Here are both accepted answers, the history behind them, and a number hook.
-
38 The President of the United States now
This answer changes, so USCIS publishes it at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. Here is when to check that page, what changes it, and what to say out loud.
-
39 The Vice President of the United States now
This answer changes, so check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates. Here is what the Vice President does, why the name can change mid-term, and how to lock it in.
-
40 Who becomes president
The Vice President. Here is how that rule was settled in 1841 and written into the Constitution, why the Speaker is wrong here, and a one-word memory hook.
-
41 One power of the president
You name one: signs bills into law, vetoes bills, or enforces laws. Here are the accepted answers, where the powers come from, and which one to rehearse.
-
42 Commander in Chief
The President. Here is why an elected civilian and not a general holds the title, how Congress shares that control, and a picture that makes it stick.
-
43 Who signs bills into law
The President. Here is the last step a bill takes before it is law, why Congress is the wrong answer here, and a picture that shows who holds the pen.
-
44 Who vetoes bills
The President. Here is what a veto does to a bill, how two thirds of Congress can override one, what the Latin word means, and what to say on test day.
-
45 Who appoints federal judges
The President appoints them and the Senate confirms them. Here is why the power outlasts a presidency, the half-right trap answer, and a two-verb hook.
-
46 Parts of the executive branch
The President is a part of the executive branch, and so is the Cabinet. Here are all the accepted answers, why the officer asks, and how to remember one.
-
47 What the Cabinet does
The Cabinet advises the President. Here is who sits in it, what advising means in practice, and a simple memory hook built from the word Cabinet itself.
-
48 Two Cabinet-level positions
Many answers are accepted, and you need only two. Here are real Cabinet-level positions, the pair worth rehearsing, and the exact words to use on test day.
-
49 Why the Electoral College matters
It decides who is elected president. Here is the second accepted answer, how electors are counted state by state, and the exact words to use on test day.
-
50 Parts of the judicial branch
The Supreme Court is one part, and the federal courts are the other. Here is how the federal court system stacks up and the exact words to use on test day.
-
51 What the judicial branch does
It reviews laws, explains laws, and resolves disputes about the law. Any one of those answers counts. Here is what each means and how to keep them straight.
-
52 The highest court in the country
The answer is the Supreme Court, and it is the only accepted answer. Here is what makes it the highest court, plus the wrong answers that sound very close.
-
53 Seats on the Supreme Court
Nine seats: one Chief Justice and eight associate justices. Here is where the number came from, and how to keep nine apart from the five in question 54.
-
54 Justices needed to decide a case
Five justices decide a case, because five is the majority of the nine. Here is how the vote works and how to stop mixing this number up with question 53.
-
55 How long justices serve
Justices serve for life. Lifetime appointment and until retirement also count. Here is what the Constitution says and the exact words to use on test day.
-
56 Why justices serve for life
So they can be independent of politics and free of outside influence. Here is the reasoning behind the lifetime rule and the exact words to say on test day.
-
57 The Chief Justice today
This answer changes, so USCIS publishes it. Look it up at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates shortly before your interview and learn the name you find there.
-
58 Powers only the federal government has
Print paper money, mint coins, or declare war. Any one of the listed answers counts. Here is why these powers are federal and how to keep them separate.
-
59 Powers only the states have
Schools, police, and fire departments are all state powers, and naming one is enough. Here is why they sit with the states and what to say on test day.
-
60 Purpose of the 10th Amendment
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people. Here is what that rule does, and a short version you can say cleanly.
-
61 The governor of your state
The answer depends on where you live and it changes with elections. Here is how to look yours up, plus the D.C. rule and the answer for U.S. territories.
-
62 The capital of your state
Name the capital city of the state you live in. Here is why the capital is often not the biggest city, plus the D.C. rule and the answer for territories.
-
63 The four voting amendments
The test asks you to describe one of the four voting amendments, not all four. Here are the accepted answers, the easiest one to say, and how to remember it.
-
64 Rights only citizens have
The answer is citizens. Here is why voting, federal office, and jury duty are closed to everyone else, and the one word that answers all three at once.
-
65 Three rights of everyone living here
Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly. Here is what each one covers, why they are not only for citizens, and how to say them.
-
66 Loyalty in the Pledge of Allegiance
The answer is the United States, or the flag. Both count. Here is what the Pledge actually says, why the answer hides in its first line, and what to say aloud.
-
67 Promises in the Oath of Allegiance
Give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution, obey the laws. Here are the accepted promises, why the Oath matters, and the two easiest to say.
-
68 How people become citizens
Three paths: born here under the 14th Amendment, naturalize, or derive citizenship. Here is what each path means and the one word you should say on test day.
-
69 Examples of civic participation
Vote, run for office, or join a political party. Here is what civic participation means, how it differs from serving your country, and the two answers to give.
-
70 Ways Americans serve their country
Vote, pay taxes, or obey the law. Here is what each duty means, how this question differs from civic participation, and the single answer to give the officer.
-
71 Why paying federal taxes matters
Because the law requires it, because taxes fund the federal government, and because the 16th Amendment allows it. Here are the answers and how to say one.
-
72 Why men register for Selective Service
Because the law requires it, because it is a civic duty, and because it makes a draft fair if one is ever needed. Here are the answers and how to say one.
American History Questions 73 to 115
-
73 Why the colonists came to America
Freedom, political liberty, or religious freedom. Here is what each reason meant to the people who sailed, and the one answer to give the officer on test day.
-
74 Who lived here before the Europeans
American Indians, also called Native Americans. Here is who they were, how long they had been here, and the two phrases the officer accepts on test day.
-
75 The people taken and sold as slaves
The answer is Africans, or people from Africa. Here is what happened, how long slavery lasted in the United States, and the exact words to say on test day.
-
76 The war for independence from Britain
The American Revolution, also called the Revolutionary War or the War for Independence. Here is when it was fought, how it ended, and what to say on test day.
-
77 Why Americans declared independence
High taxes, taxation without representation, or British soldiers quartered in colonists' houses. Here is what each complaint meant and the one answer to give.
-
78 Who wrote the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote it. Here is how he was chosen, what the famous line says, the names people mix up with his, and exactly what to say on test day.
-
79 When the Declaration was adopted
July 4, 1776, the date behind Independence Day. Here is what happened that week, why the 4th is the answer, and the full date to say to the officer on test day.
-
80 Events of the American Revolution
Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, or Washington crossing the Delaware. Here is what happened at each one and the safest answer to give the officer.
-
81 The 13 original states
You name five, not thirteen. Here are all thirteen original states, the five that are easiest to say out loud, and how to lock those five in for test day.
-
82 The document written in 1787
The answer is the U.S. Constitution, written in Philadelphia in 1787. Here is what happened that summer, the documents people confuse it with, and a date trick.
-
83 Who wrote the Federalist Papers
Three men wrote them and you name one: Madison, Hamilton, or Jay. Here is which name to pick, the pen name on the essays, and how one name covers two questions.
-
84 Why the Federalist Papers mattered
They helped people understand the Constitution and supported passing it. Here is what the essays argued for, who needed convincing, and how to answer briefly.
-
85 What Benjamin Franklin is famous for
Free public libraries, first Postmaster General, helping write the Declaration of Independence, and more all count. Here is which one to pick and why.
-
86 What George Washington is famous for
Say he was the first president, the Father of Our Country, or general of the Continental Army. A starred question, with the answers in the order he earned them.
-
87 What Thomas Jefferson is famous for
He wrote the Declaration of Independence, was the third president, and doubled the country's size. Here are the accepted answers and a line that holds them.
-
88 What James Madison is famous for
Father of the Constitution, fourth president, and president during the War of 1812. Here are the accepted answers and how to tell his title from Washington's.
-
89 What Alexander Hamilton is famous for
First Secretary of the Treasury, a writer of the Federalist Papers, and founder of the First Bank. Here are the accepted answers and a reminder in your wallet.
-
90 The territory bought from France in 1803
The answer is the Louisiana Territory, and saying Louisiana alone counts. Here is what the land covered, who sold it, and why the name is the memory hook.
-
91 A war fought in the 1800s
Name one: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, or the Civil War. Here is what each one was, which wars do not count, and the fastest answer to rehearse.
-
92 The war between the North and the South
The answer is the Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865. Here is who the North and the South were, why the name says civil, and the words to use on test day.
-
93 Important events of the Civil War
Name one: Fort Sumter, the Emancipation Proclamation, or Vicksburg. Here is what each event was, where it falls in the war, and which one to rehearse first.
-
94 What Abraham Lincoln is famous for
Say he freed the slaves, saved the Union, or led the country during the Civil War. A starred question, with the answers on the official list and the words to say.
-
95 What the Emancipation Proclamation did
It freed the slaves, and saying it freed slaves in the Confederacy also counts. Here is what the order covered, what finished the job, and the words to say.
-
96 The war that ended slavery
The answer is the Civil War. Here is how the war ended slavery, where the 13th Amendment fits, and a date pairing that makes the answer stay in your memory.
-
97 The amendment that defines citizenship
The answer is the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868. Here is what its citizenship line says, why it applies to you directly, and how to keep 13, 14 and 15 apart.
-
98 When all men got the right to vote
The answer is after the Civil War, with the 15th Amendment. Here are the accepted answers, the history behind them, and a number trick that holds.
-
99 Leaders of the women's rights movement
Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, or Sojourner Truth. Here is who each of these women was, which name to pick, and how to keep hold of it.
-
100 A war fought in the 1900s
World War I, World War II, the Korean War and more. Here is what each war was, why the 1900s means the whole century, and which answer to rehearse.
-
101 Why the U.S. entered World War I
Because Germany attacked U.S. ships. Here are all three accepted answers, the history behind them, and the one word that holds the whole answer in place.
-
102 When all women got the right to vote
The answer is 1920, with the 19th Amendment. Here are the three accepted answers, the history behind them, and a number trick that keeps 19 and 15 in order.
-
103 What the Great Depression was
The longest economic recession in modern history. Here is what that phrase means, what the 1930s were like, and how to say the answer back word for word.
-
104 When the Great Depression started
The stock market crash of 1929. Here are both accepted answers, what happened in October of that year, and a hook that keeps the crash tied to the 1930s.
-
105 President during the Depression and WWII
The answer is Franklin Roosevelt, and the last name alone counts. Here is what he did in office, why two Roosevelts get mixed up, and how to keep them apart.
-
106 Why the U.S. entered World War II
Because Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Here are the accepted answers, what happened in December 1941, and a hook that ties this war to World War I.
-
107 What Dwight Eisenhower is famous for
General in World War II, 34th president, or president at the end of the Korean War. Here is his record, and the order that keeps the answers straight.
-
108 The main rival in the Cold War
The Soviet Union, also accepted as the USSR or Russia. Here is what the Cold War was, why three names count as one answer, and how to keep them straight.
-
109 A main concern in the Cold War
Communism, or nuclear war. Here is what each concern meant during those years, and why one of the two words also answers two more questions on the list.
-
110 Why the U.S. entered the Korean War
To stop the spread of communism. Here is what happened in Korea, why question 111 takes the exact same answer, and a map hook that holds this one in place.
-
111 Why the U.S. entered the Vietnam War
To stop the spread of communism. Here is what happened in Vietnam, why question 110 takes the exact same answer, and the domino idea behind the decision.
-
112 What the civil rights movement did
It fought to end racial discrimination. Here is what the movement faced in the 1950s and 1960s, what it won, and how the answer sits inside its own name.
-
113 What Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for
He fought for civil rights and worked for equality for all Americans. Here are the accepted answers for this starred question and the shortest one to say.
-
114 Why the U.S. entered the Persian Gulf War
To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait. Here is what happened in 1990 and 1991, why the communism answer does not fit, and how to hold the two countries.
-
115 September 11, 2001
Terrorists attacked the United States. Here are the accepted answers for this starred question, and why the shortest of them is the one to rehearse.
Symbols and Holidays Questions 116 to 128
-
116 A military conflict after September 11
Say the War in Afghanistan. Here are the three accepted answers, the wars that do not count, and a way to keep the right one in your head on test day.
-
117 American Indian tribes
Name one tribe from the official list, such as Navajo, Cherokee or Apache. Here are the names officers accept, plus how to choose one and hold on to it.
-
118 An American innovation
The light bulb is the answer to reach for. Here is what counts as an American innovation, the other accepted answers, and how to lock one in for test day.
-
119 The capital of the United States
The answer is Washington, D.C. Here is what the D.C. stands for, why the capital sits in no state at all, and the wrong Washington to keep out of your answer.
-
120 Where the Statue of Liberty is
Say New York Harbor. Liberty Island, New Jersey, near New York City and the Hudson River all count too. Here is why so many answers work for one statue.
-
121 Why the flag has 13 stripes
Because there were 13 original colonies. Here is what the stripes stand for, why the number never changes, and a hook that keeps stripes and stars apart.
-
122 Why the flag has 50 stars
One star for each state. Here are the three accepted answers, how the count reached 50, and a hook that keeps the stars and the stripes from trading places.
-
123 The national anthem
The answer is The Star-Spangled Banner. Here is where the song came from, the other patriotic songs that are not the anthem, and how to hold the name.
-
124 What E Pluribus Unum means
It means out of many, one. Here is what the Latin words carry, where the motto still appears today, and a word hook that makes the translation stick.
-
125 What Independence Day is
A holiday celebrating independence from Britain, also called the country's birthday. Here is what July 4 marks, what it does not mark, and how to answer it.
-
126 Three national U.S. holidays
Name any three from the official list. Here are the accepted holidays, the three worth rehearsing, and the popular days that officers will not accept.
-
127 What Memorial Day is
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service. Here is where the day came from and the one line that keeps it apart from Veterans Day for good.
-
128 What Veterans Day is
A holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military. Here is what a veteran is, where November 11 comes from, and how to keep it off Memorial Day.
Nothing here matches that. Try a shorter word, or a question number.
Study with CivicsGuide
One app for every part of the test
Civics, reading, writing, and the interview questions, drilled in the order that keeps them in your head.
The app
Get the app at launch
- All 128 official civics questions and answers
- Spaced repetition that brings back what you missed
- Reading and writing practice from the USCIS vocabulary lists
- Your language beside the English, in 20 languages
We only store your email address. Nothing else.
Coming soon
The book
Or study from the book
- A day-by-day plan from your filing date to the interview
- How spaced repetition works, in plain language
- How to rehearse the spoken interview on your own
Coming soon. We will email you once, on the day it is out.