Singapore civics quiz: questions and answers
All 22 general civics quiz questions about Singapore with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Constitution and government 6 questions
Head of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.
Practise only: Constitution and government →
How is Singapore’s Parliament structured?
It is unicameral, with a single chamber
Parliament has one chamber with elected members plus Non-Constituency and Nominated Members.
How long is the term of the President of Singapore?
Six years
The President has been directly elected since 1993 for a six-year term (Constitution, Article 20).
What is the name of Singapore’s legislature?
Parliament
Singapore has a single-chamber Parliament, based on the Westminster model.
Who is Singapore’s head of state?
The President
The President is head of state and is directly elected. The Prime Minister leads the government.
Which of these is one of Singapore’s four official languages?
Tamil
Singapore's four official languages are English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.
What kind of state is Singapore?
A parliamentary republic
Singapore is a republic with an elected President and a government led by a Prime Minister responsible to Parliament.
History and national symbols 9 questions
Independence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.
Practise only: History and national symbols →
On what date did Singapore become an independent republic?
9 August 1965
Separation from Malaysia took effect on 9 August 1965, now celebrated as National Day.
What do the five stars on the Singapore flag represent?
Democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality
The official description of the national flag gives the five ideals the stars stand for.
Who wrote the Singapore National Pledge?
S. Rajaratnam
Rajaratnam drafted the pledge in 1966; Zubir Said composed the anthem Majulah Singapura.
Who was Singapore’s first Prime Minister?
Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew was Prime Minister from 1959 to 1990; Yusof Ishak was the first President.
What is Singapore’s national flower?
Vanda Miss Joaquim
The hybrid orchid Vanda Miss Joaquim was adopted as the national flower in 1981.
In which year did Stamford Raffles establish a trading post in Singapore?
1819
Raffles landed in January 1819 and signed a treaty to set up a British trading post.
Who set up a British trading post in Singapore in 1819?
Sir Stamford Raffles
Sir Stamford Raffles established a British trading post in Singapore in 1819. Francis Light founded the settlement in Penang.
Which country did Singapore join as a state in 1963?
Malaysia
Singapore became part of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 and left in 1965.
In which year did Singapore fall to Japanese forces?
1942
British forces surrendered Singapore to Japan on 15 February 1942. The Japanese occupation lasted until 1945.
Geography and society 5 questions
Capital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.
Practise only: Geography and society →
Which is Singapore’s national language?
Malay
Malay is the national language; English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are all official languages (Constitution, Article 153A).
How long is full-time National Service for male Singapore citizens?
About two years
Under the Enlistment Act, male citizens and permanent residents serve about two years of full-time National Service.
What is the currency of Singapore?
The Singapore dollar
Singapore's currency is the Singapore dollar, issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
What appears in the red half of Singapore’s flag?
A white crescent moon and five white stars
The flag is red over white. The crescent stands for a young nation on the rise, and the five stars for its ideals.
Which waterway separates Singapore from Johor in Malaysia?
The Straits of Johor
The Straits of Johor lie between Singapore Island and Johor, and are crossed by the Causeway and the Second Link.
Naturalisation rules 2 questions
What the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.
Practise only: Naturalisation rules →
Which agency decides Singapore citizenship applications?
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
ICA, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, assesses and decides citizenship applications.
What is the mandatory programme for new Singapore citizens aged 16 to 60 called?
The Singapore Citizenship Journey
The SCJ has an e-learning module, an experiential visit and a Community Sharing Session.
Think you know them?
Take a timed mock exam in the real Singapore Civics format.