U.S. Citizenship Test Questions (Official 100)
All 100 civics questions and official accepted answers authorized by USCIS. Search below, filter by topic or senior exemption, and click "Listen" for audio speech.
What is the supreme law of the land?
- The Constitution
Why this matters: The U.S. Constitution is the highest legal authority in the United States. No federal, state, or local law may violate it.
What does the Constitution do?
- Sets up the government
- Defines the government
- Protects basic rights of Americans
Why this matters: Written in 1787, the Constitution establishes the three branches of government and guarantees fundamental individual rights.
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
- We the People
Why this matters: 'We the People' emphasizes that government power comes directly from the consent of the governed citizens.
What is an amendment?
- A change (to the Constitution)
- An addition (to the Constitution)
Why this matters: Under Article V of the Constitution, amendments allow the fundamental law to adapt over time while requiring high consensus.
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
- The Bill of Rights
Why this matters: Ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights protects individual liberties like speech, religion, and trial by jury against federal overreach.
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
- Speech
- Religion
- Assembly
- Press
- Petition the government
Why this matters: The First Amendment protects five foundational freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petitioning the government.
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
- 27
- Twenty-seven
Why this matters: There are 27 ratified amendments. The most recent (27th Amendment), regarding congressional salaries, was ratified in 1992.
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)
Why this matters: Adopted on July 4, 1776, it officially severed political ties between the thirteen American colonies and Great Britain.
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
- Life and liberty
- Life and the pursuit of happiness
- Liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Why this matters: Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men are endowed with unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
What is freedom of religion?
- You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
Why this matters: The Constitution prohibits the establishment of a national religion and guarantees everyone the freedom of belief or non-belief.
What is the economic system in the United States?*
- Capitalist economy
- Market economy
Why this matters: The U.S. operates on a free market capitalist system where private individuals and businesses produce goods based on supply and demand.
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
Why this matters: The rule of law ensures equality before the law: no citizen, president, judge, or police officer is above the legal system.
Name one branch or part of the government.*
- Congress
- Legislative
- President
- Executive
- The courts
- Judicial
Why this matters: The U.S. government is split into three branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (Courts).
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
- Checks and balances
- Separation of powers
Why this matters: The Framers created checks and balances (e.g. presidential veto, congressional override, judicial review) to prevent autocracy.
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
- The President
Why this matters: The President heads the executive branch, enforces federal laws, and serves as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Who makes federal laws?
- Congress
- Senate and House (of Representatives)
- (U.S. or national) legislature
Why this matters: Only Congress (the legislative branch, consisting of the Senate and House) has the power to pass federal statutes.
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
- The Senate and House of Representatives
Why this matters: Congress is bicameral: the Senate (equal representation per state) and the House of Representatives (proportional to population).
How many U.S. Senators are there?
- 100
- One hundred
Why this matters: Each of the 50 states elects exactly 2 Senators, totaling 100 members in the U.S. Senate.
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
- 6
- Six
Why this matters: Senators serve 6-year staggered terms, with one-third of the Senate up for election every two years.
Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?*
- Answers will vary. (District of Columbia and U.S. territories have no voting Senators).
Why this matters: This is a state-specific question. Look up your state's current senators using our interactive State Lookup tool.
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
- 435
- Four hundred thirty-five
Why this matters: The Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929 capped the voting membership of the House at 435 seats.
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
- 2
- Two
Why this matters: All 435 members of the House of Representatives face election every 2 years in even-numbered years.
Name your U.S. Representative.
- Answers will vary. (Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide their names).
Why this matters: Your Representative depends on your specific congressional voting district. Use our ZIP code lookup guide.
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
- All people of the state
Why this matters: Unlike Representatives who represent a specific district, a U.S. Senator represents every resident in the entire state.
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 than others
Why this matters: House seats are apportioned based on the decennial U.S. Census so that more populous states have proportionate representation.
We elect a President for how many years?
- 4
- Four
Why this matters: A presidential term lasts 4 years. Under the 22nd Amendment, a President may serve a maximum of two terms (8 years).
In what month do we vote for President?*
- November
Why this matters: Federal Election Day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every four years.
What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
- Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for current officials.
Why this matters: Always confirm the active sitting President at your interview date. Answers are updated automatically.
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
- Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for current officials.
Why this matters: The Vice President serves as President of the Senate and is first in the presidential line of succession.
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
- The Vice President
Why this matters: Under the 25th Amendment, the Vice President immediately ascends to the Presidency if the President dies, resigns, or is removed.
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
- The Speaker of the House
Why this matters: Under the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is next in line after the Vice President.
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
- The President
Why this matters: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution places civilian control over the armed forces by naming the President Commander in Chief.
Who signs bills to become laws?
- The President
Why this matters: Once Congress passes a bill in identical form in both chambers, it is sent to the President to be signed into law or vetoed.
Who vetoes bills?
- The President
Why this matters: 'Veto' is Latin for 'I forbid.' The President can reject legislation, though Congress can override with a two-thirds majority.
What does the President's Cabinet do?
- Advises the President
Why this matters: The Cabinet includes the Vice President and heads of 15 executive departments who advise the President on policy matters.
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
- Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense
- Secretary of the Treasury and Attorney General
- Secretary of Education and Secretary of Energy
- Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Commerce
Why this matters: Any two department secretaries (e.g. State, Defense, Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services) or the Attorney General.
What does the judicial branch do?
- Reviews laws
- Explains laws
- Resolves disputes (disagreements)
- Decides if a law goes against the Constitution
Why this matters: Article III establishes the judicial branch to interpret statutes and ensure all laws comply with the U.S. Constitution.
What is the highest court in the United States?
- The Supreme Court
Why this matters: The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the ultimate appellate tribunal on federal legal and constitutional questions.
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
- 9
- Nine
Why this matters: There are nine justices: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, set by the Judiciary Act of 1869.
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
- John Roberts
- John G. Roberts, Jr.
Why this matters: John G. Roberts Jr. has served as the 17th Chief Justice of the United States since 2005.
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
Why this matters: Delegated federal powers (Article I, Section 8) include printing currency, declaring war, maintaining the military, and foreign treaties.
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
Why this matters: Under the Tenth Amendment, powers not delegated to the federal government belong to the states, including education, policing, and licenses.
Who is the Governor of your state now?
- Answers will vary. (District of Columbia residents may state DC does not have a governor).
Why this matters: Every state elects a Governor as head of the state executive branch. Select your state in our lookup tool.
What is the capital of your state?*
- Answers will vary. (District of Columbia residents should answer that DC is not a state and has no capital).
Why this matters: Know your specific state's capital city (e.g., Albany for NY, Sacramento for CA, Austin for TX).
What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
- Democratic and Republican
Why this matters: The modern American party system has been dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties since the mid-19th century.
What is the political party of the President now?
- Republican (for Donald Trump) / Check current President's party
Why this matters: Answer matches the political party affiliation of the sitting President at your interview date.
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
- Mike Johnson
Why this matters: Mike Johnson (Louisiana) was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in October 2023.
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)
Why this matters: Voting rights were expanded by the 15th (race), 19th (women), 24th (poll tax ban), and 26th (age 18) amendments.
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
- Serve on a jury
- Vote in a federal election
Why this matters: Only U.S. citizens are eligible and required to serve on federal/state trial juries and vote in federal elections.
Name one right only for United States citizens.
- Vote in a federal election
- Run for federal office
Why this matters: While non-citizens have constitutional protections like due process and free speech, only citizens can vote in federal elections or hold federal office.
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
- Freedom of expression and freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly and freedom to petition the government
- Freedom of religion and the right to bear arms
Why this matters: Fundamental constitutional rights like freedom of speech and freedom of religion protect all persons physically within U.S. borders.
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- The United States
- The flag
Why this matters: Written in 1892, the Pledge expresses devotion to the American republic and the ideals represented by the national flag.
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
Why this matters: During the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance, new citizens promise allegiance to the Constitution and renounce foreign loyalties.
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
- 18 and older
- Eighteen (18) and older
Why this matters: The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971 during the Vietnam War, lowered the national voting age from 21 to 18.
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
- Vote and run for office
- Join a political party and help with a campaign
- Join a civic group and write to a newspaper
- Call Senators and Representatives
Why this matters: Active civic participation includes voting, grassroots campaigning, public advocacy, contacting representatives, and running for office.
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
- April 15
Why this matters: April 15 is standard Tax Day for filing federal individual income tax returns (Form 1040) with the IRS.
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
- At age eighteen (18)
- Between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
Why this matters: Under federal law, almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants residing in the U.S. must register between ages 18 and 25.
What is one reason colonists came to America?
- Freedom
- Political liberty
- Religious freedom
- Economic opportunity
- Practice their religion
- Escape persecution
Why this matters: Early European settlers sought economic opportunity, escape from poverty, and freedom from religious persecution.
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
- American Indians
- Native Americans
Why this matters: Diverse indigenous civilizations, tribes, and nations inhabited North America for thousands of years prior to European colonization.
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
- Africans
- People from Africa
Why this matters: Beginning in 1619, millions of African people were forcibly captured, transported across the Atlantic, and enslaved in America.
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
Why this matters: Colonists resisted British parliamentary acts like the Stamp Act and Quartering Act without having elected representatives in Parliament.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- (Thomas) Jefferson
Why this matters: Thomas Jefferson was chosen by the Committee of Five in June 1776 to draft the revolutionary document.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
- July 4, 1776
Why this matters: The Second Continental Congress formally approved the text of the Declaration on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia.
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
Why this matters: The thirteen original colonies became the first states along the eastern seaboard.
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
- The Constitution was written
- The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution
Why this matters: Delegates gathered in Philadelphia from May to September 1787 to replace the weak Articles of Confederation with a strong federal constitution.
When was the Constitution written?
- 1787
Why this matters: The Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787 and signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787 (Constitution Day).
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
- (James) Madison
- (Alexander) Hamilton
- (John) Jay
- Publius
Why this matters: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay published 85 essays under the pseudonym 'Publius' to urge New York ratification.
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 Almanack'
- Started the first free libraries
Why this matters: Franklin was a polymath, inventor, printer, senior diplomat to France during the Revolution, and elder statesman of the 1787 Convention.
Who is the 'Father of Our Country'?
- (George) Washington
Why this matters: George Washington led the Continental Army to victory and presided over the Constitutional Convention before becoming the first President.
Who was the first President?*
- (George) Washington
Why this matters: George Washington served as the first U.S. President from 1789 to 1797, setting crucial precedents for executive power.
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
- The Louisiana Territory
- Louisiana
Why this matters: President Thomas Jefferson purchased approximately 828,000 square miles from Napoleon for $15 million, doubling the nation's size.
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
- War of 1812
- Mexican-American War
- Civil War
- Spanish-American War
Why this matters: 19th-century conflicts include the War of 1812 (against Britain), Mexican-American War (1846-48), Civil War (1861-65), and Spanish-American War (1898).
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
- The Civil War
- The War between the States
Why this matters: The American Civil War (1861-1865) pitted the northern Union against 11 seceding southern Confederate states.
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
- Slavery
- Economic reasons
- States' rights
Why this matters: The fundamental conflict centered on the expansion and moral illegitimacy of slavery, alongside economic and states' rights divisions.
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
Why this matters: Lincoln preserved the United States as one nation through the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
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
Why this matters: Issued on January 1, 1863, Lincoln declared that all persons held as slaves within rebellious Confederate territories 'are, and henceforward shall be free.'
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
- Fought for women's rights
- Fought for civil rights
Why this matters: Susan B. Anthony was a tireless leader in the women's suffrage movement whose work led to the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*
- World War I
- World War II
- Korean War
- Vietnam War
- (Persian) Gulf War
Why this matters: Major 20th-century conflicts include WWI (1917-18), WWII (1941-45), the Korean War (1950-53), Vietnam War (1964-73), and the Gulf War (1991).
Who was President during World War I?
- (Woodrow) Wilson
Why this matters: Woodrow Wilson led the country during WWI and championed the Fourteen Points and the League of Nations.
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
- (Franklin) Roosevelt
- FDR
Why this matters: Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms (1933-1945), guiding the country through the Great Depression with the New Deal and WWII.
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
- Japan, Germany, and Italy
Why this matters: The U.S. entered WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor, fighting the Axis powers: Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy.
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
- World War II
Why this matters: Dwight D. Eisenhower was Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during WWII and directed the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
- Communism
Why this matters: Following WWII, the U.S. engaged in a geopolitical struggle with the Soviet Union to contain the global spread of communism.
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
- Civil rights (movement)
Why this matters: The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s used nonviolent protest and advocacy to secure equal rights and voting protections for Black Americans.
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
- Fought for civil rights
- Worked for equality for all Americans
Why this matters: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the most prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement, famous for his 'I Have a Dream' speech and dedication to nonviolent action.
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
- Terrorists attacked the United States
Why this matters: Nineteen hijackers coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC, the Pentagon in Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, PA.
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
- Cherokee
- Navajo
- Sioux
- Chippewa
- Choctaw
- Pueblo
- Apache
- Iroquois
- Creek
- Blackfeet
- Seminole
- Cheyenne
- Arawak
- Shawnee
- Mohegan
- Huron
- Oneida
- Lakota
- Crow
- Teton
- Hopi
- Inuit
Why this matters: There are 574 federally recognized Indian nations. Common answers include Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, and Apache.
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
- Missouri (River)
- Mississippi (River)
Why this matters: The Missouri River (2,341 miles) and Mississippi River (2,320 miles) form the largest river system in North America.
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
- Pacific (Ocean)
Why this matters: The Pacific Ocean borders states like California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and surrounds Hawaii.
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
- Atlantic (Ocean)
Why this matters: The Atlantic Ocean borders 14 East Coast states from Maine down to Florida.
Name one U.S. territory.
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- American Samoa
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Guam
Why this matters: The five permanently inhabited U.S. territories are Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
Name one state that borders Canada.
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Montana
- Idaho
- Washington
- Alaska
Why this matters: Thirteen states share the longest undefended international border in the world with Canada.
Name one state that borders Mexico.
- California
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
Why this matters: Four southern states share an international border with Mexico: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
What is the capital of the United States?*
- Washington, D.C.
Why this matters: Washington, District of Columbia, is the permanent federal capital created by the Residence Act of 1790.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?*
- New York (Harbor)
- Liberty Island
- [Also acceptable: New Jersey, near New York City, on the Hudson (River)]
Why this matters: A gift of friendship from France dedicated in 1886, Lady Liberty stands in New York Harbor on Liberty Island.
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
- Because there were 13 original colonies
- Because the stripes represent the original colonies
Why this matters: The 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the thirteen colonies that declared independence from Great Britain in 1776.
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
Why this matters: The American flag features 50 white stars on a blue union, with each star representing one of the 50 current states in the Union.
What is the name of the national anthem?
- The Star-Spangled Banner
Why this matters: Written as a poem by Francis Scott Key in 1814 after witnessing the defense of Fort McHenry, it officially became the anthem in 1931.
When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
- July 4
Why this matters: Celebrated annually on the Fourth of July to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Name two national U.S. holidays.
- New Year's Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents' Day and Memorial Day
- Juneteenth and Independence Day
- Labor Day and Columbus Day
- Veterans Day and Thanksgiving
- Christmas
Why this matters: Federal holidays recognize historical milestones and leaders, including Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Juneteenth, and Memorial Day.