Question 2 of 100 · 2008 test
What does the Constitution do?
2008 test · also on the 2025 test as #3
This question is from the 2008 test, which applies if you filed Form N-400 before Oct 20, 2025; later filers take the 2025 test of 128 questions - check your version on the official USCIS test-updates page.
Acceptable answers
- sets up the government
- defines the government
- protects basic rights of Americans
On the 2025 test
The 2025 test asks this as Question 3: “Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.”
The 2025 list accepts these 4 answers:
- Forms the government
- Defines powers of government
- Defines the parts of government
- Protects the rights of the people
Explanation
The Constitution creates the structure of the national government, defines how it works, and guarantees basic rights to the people.
Why it matters
Any one of these three answers is accepted. The Constitution both builds the government and limits it by protecting individual rights.
The 65/20 special consideration
Question 2 is not in the 65/20 set. An applicant who is 65 or older and has been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more studies only the 20 marked questions, so this one would not be asked. Everyone else studies all 100.
Answers that get mixed up with this one
These are the wrong options the practice test puts beside this question. Each one is the correct answer to a different question, which is what makes it tempting.
- a change (to the Constitution)answers Question 4: What is an amendment?
- capitalist economyanswers Question 11: What is the economic system in the United States?
- one hundred (100)answers Question 18: How many U.S. Senators are there?
More Principles of American Democracy questions
Questions the officer draws from the same part of the test. Studying them together is what keeps their answers apart.