All 100 USCIS civics questions (2008 test)

What is the supreme law of the land?

the Constitution

Also on the 2025 test as #2

What does the Constitution do?

sets up the government

Also on the 2025 test as #3

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

We the People

2008 test only

What is an amendment?

a change (to the Constitution)

2008 test only

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

the Bill of Rights

2008 test only

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

speech

2008 test only

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

twenty-seven (27)

Also on the 2025 test as #7

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

announced our independence (from Great Britain)

2008 test only

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

life

2008 test only

What is freedom of religion?

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

2008 test only

What is the economic system in the United States?

capitalist economy

Also on the 2025 test as #12

What is the "rule of law"?

Everyone must follow the law.

Also on the 2025 test as #13

Name one branch or part of the government.

Congress

2008 test only

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

checks and balances

2008 test only

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

the President

2008 test only

Who makes federal laws?

Congress

Also on the 2025 test as #18

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

the Senate and House (of Representatives)

Also on the 2025 test as #19

How many U.S. Senators are there?

one hundred (100)

Also on the 2025 test as #21

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

six (6)

Also on the 2025 test as #22

Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?

Answer depends on your state

Also on the 2025 test as #23

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

four hundred thirty-five (435)

Also on the 2025 test as #24

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

two (2)

Also on the 2025 test as #25

Name your U.S. Representative.

Answer depends on your state

Also on the 2025 test as #29

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

all people of the state

Also on the 2025 test as #31

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

(because of) the state's population

Also on the 2025 test as #35

We elect a President for how many years?

four (4)

Also on the 2025 test as #36

In what month do we vote for President?

November

2008 test only

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

Donald J. Trump

Also on the 2025 test as #38

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

JD Vance

Also on the 2025 test as #39

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

the Vice President

Also on the 2025 test as #40

If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

the Speaker of the House

2008 test only

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

the President

Also on the 2025 test as #42

Who signs bills to become laws?

the President

Also on the 2025 test as #43

Who vetoes bills?

the President

Also on the 2025 test as #44

What does the President's Cabinet do?

advises the President

Also on the 2025 test as #47

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of Agriculture

Also on the 2025 test as #48

What does the judicial branch do?

reviews laws

Also on the 2025 test as #51

What is the highest court in the United States?

the Supreme Court

Also on the 2025 test as #52

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

nine (9)

Also on the 2025 test as #53

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts

Also on the 2025 test as #57

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

to print money

Also on the 2025 test as #58

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

provide schooling and education

Also on the 2025 test as #59

Who is the Governor of your state now?

Answer depends on your state

Also on the 2025 test as #61

What is the capital of your state?

Answer depends on your state

Also on the 2025 test as #62

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

Democratic and Republican

2008 test only

What is the political party of the President now?

Republican Party

2008 test only

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

Mike Johnson

Also on the 2025 test as #30

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

Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).

Also on the 2025 test as #63

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

serve on a jury

2008 test only

Name one right only for United States citizens.

vote in a federal election

2008 test only

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

freedom of expression

Also on the 2025 test as #65

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

the United States

Also on the 2025 test as #66

What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

give up loyalty to other countries

Also on the 2025 test as #67

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

eighteen (18) and older

2008 test only

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

vote

Also on the 2025 test as #69

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15

2008 test only

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

at age eighteen (18)

2008 test only

What is one reason colonists came to America?

freedom

Also on the 2025 test as #73

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

American Indians

Also on the 2025 test as #74

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

Africans

Also on the 2025 test as #75

Why did the colonists fight the British?

because of high taxes (taxation without representation)

2008 test only

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

(Thomas) Jefferson

Also on the 2025 test as #78

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

Also on the 2025 test as #79

There were 13 original states. Name three.

New Hampshire

Also on the 2025 test as #81

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitution was written.

2008 test only

When was the Constitution written?

1787

2008 test only

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

(James) Madison

Also on the 2025 test as #83

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

U.S. diplomat

Also on the 2025 test as #85

Who is the "Father of Our Country"?

(George) Washington

2008 test only

Who was the first President?

(George) Washington

2008 test only

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

the Louisiana Territory

Also on the 2025 test as #90

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

War of 1812

Also on the 2025 test as #91

Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

the Civil War

Also on the 2025 test as #92

Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

slavery

2008 test only

What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

Also on the 2025 test as #94

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

freed the slaves

Also on the 2025 test as #95

What did Susan B. Anthony do?

fought for women's rights

2008 test only

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

World War I

Also on the 2025 test as #100

Who was President during World War I?

(Woodrow) Wilson

2008 test only

Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

(Franklin) Roosevelt

Also on the 2025 test as #105

Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Japan, Germany, and Italy

2008 test only

Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

World War II

2008 test only

During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

Communism

Also on the 2025 test as #109

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

civil rights (movement)

2008 test only

What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

fought for civil rights

Also on the 2025 test as #113

What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

Terrorists attacked the United States.

Also on the 2025 test as #115

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Cherokee

Also on the 2025 test as #117

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

Missouri (River)

2008 test only

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

Pacific (Ocean)

2008 test only

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Atlantic (Ocean)

2008 test only

Name one U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico

2008 test only

Name one state that borders Canada.

Maine

2008 test only

Name one state that borders Mexico.

California

2008 test only

What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C.

Also on the 2025 test as #119

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

New York (Harbor)

Also on the 2025 test as #120

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

because there were 13 original colonies

Also on the 2025 test as #121

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

because there is one star for each state

Also on the 2025 test as #122

What is the name of the national anthem?

The Star-Spangled Banner

Also on the 2025 test as #123

When do we celebrate Independence Day?

July 4

2008 test only

Name two national U.S. holidays.

New Year's Day

Also on the 2025 test as #126