US Citizenship Test: questions and answers
All 126 practice questions with answers and explanations, grouped by official topic. Select a question to see the answer.
American Government 66 questions
Principles of American democracy, the system of government, and rights and responsibilities.
Practise only: American Government →
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
The Constitution sets up the government and protects basic rights. Every other law must follow it.
What does the Constitution do?
Sets up the government
The Constitution sets up the government, defines it and protects the basic rights of Americans.
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
The Constitution has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights.
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791 and protects freedoms such as speech, religion and the press.
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
Freedom of speech
The First Amendment protects speech, religion, assembly, the press and the right to petition the government.
What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
Legislative, executive and judicial
Separating powers between three branches stops any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, writes and passes federal laws.
How many U.S. senators are there?
100
Each of the 50 states elects two senators.
How long is a U.S. senator’s term?
6 years
Senators serve six-year terms. About one third of Senate seats are up for election every two years.
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
435
House seats are divided among the states by population.
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 years
Every House seat is up for election every two years.
How long is a President’s term?
4 years
A President is elected for four years and can serve at most two elected terms.
Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President
The Constitution makes the President the Commander in Chief.
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
The number is set by Congress and has been nine since 1869.
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has the final say on what the Constitution means.
What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law
No one, including leaders and the government, is above the law.
What is one power of the federal government?
To print money
Printing money, declaring war, creating an army and making treaties are federal powers. Licences and schools are state matters.
What is the form of government of the United States?
Republic
The United States is a constitution-based federal republic and a representative democracy: citizens elect representatives who govern on their behalf under the Constitution.
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
Popular sovereignty
"We the People" expresses popular sovereignty, or self-government: the power of the government comes from the consent of the governed.
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Through amendments
The Constitution is changed through the amendment process. An amendment must be proposed by Congress or a convention and then ratified by three-fourths of the states.
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
The basic rights of Americans
The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments, protects the basic rights of Americans and of people living in the United States, such as freedom of speech and religion.
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says all people are created equal
The Declaration of Independence announced that America was free from British control, declared that all people are created equal, and identified inherent rights and individual freedoms.
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, declared that the thirteen American colonies were free and independent from Great Britain.
Which of these is an important idea found in both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?
Limited government
Key ideas shared by the two founding documents include equality, liberty, the social contract, natural rights, limited government, and self-government.
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence states that all people have unalienable rights, among them "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism
The United States has a capitalist, free market economy in which businesses and individuals, rather than the government, own most property and make most economic decisions.
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Which of these is one of them?
The Mayflower Compact
Documents that influenced the Constitution include the Mayflower Compact, the Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and the Iroquois Great Law of Peace.
There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
The Constitution divides power among three branches to create checks and balances and separation of powers, so that no single part of government becomes too powerful.
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
The executive branch
The President heads the executive branch, which enforces federal laws. Congress is the legislative branch and the courts make up the judicial branch.
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
Congress is bicameral: it is made up of the Senate, with 100 members, and the House of Representatives, with 435 voting members.
Which of these is a power of the U.S. Congress?
Declares war
Congress writes laws, declares war, and makes the federal budget. Appointing judges, vetoing bills, and commanding the military are powers of the President.
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
Representatives serve two-year terms so that they face voters often and more closely follow public opinion. Senators serve six-year terms for greater stability.
How many senators does each state have?
Two
Every state has two U.S. senators regardless of its population, which is why there are 100 senators for the 50 states.
Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation for small states
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) of 1787 gave every state two senators so that small states would have equal representation in the Senate.
Who does a U.S. senator represent?
All the people of their state
A U.S. senator represents all the citizens of their state, while a member of the House of Representatives represents the people of one congressional district.
Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens from their state
Since the 17th Amendment (1913), U.S. senators are elected directly by the citizens of their state rather than chosen by state legislatures.
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
The people of their congressional district
Each member of the House of Representatives represents the citizens living in one congressional district within their state.
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their congressional district
Members of the House are elected every two years directly by the citizens of the congressional district they represent.
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
Because of the state's population
Seats in the House of Representatives are divided among the states according to population, so states with more people have more representatives.
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
Because of the 22nd Amendment
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits the President to two terms to keep the president from becoming too powerful.
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Vice President
If the President dies, resigns, or cannot serve, the Vice President becomes President. The Speaker of the House is next in the line of succession.
Which of these is a power of the President?
Vetoes bills
The President signs bills into law, vetoes bills, enforces laws, appoints federal judges, serves as chief diplomat, and is Commander in Chief of the military.
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
After a bill passes both the House and the Senate, it goes to the President, who signs it into law or vetoes it.
Who vetoes bills?
The President
The President can veto a bill passed by Congress. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
Who appoints federal judges?
The President
The President appoints federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. The Senate must then confirm the appointments.
The executive branch has many parts. Which of these is one of them?
The Cabinet
The executive branch includes the President, the Cabinet, and the federal departments and agencies. Congress and the courts belong to the other two branches.
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President
The Cabinet is made up of the heads of the executive departments and other top officials. Its job is to advise the President.
Which of these is a Cabinet-level position?
Secretary of State
Cabinet-level positions include the Vice President, the Attorney General, and the Secretaries of State, the Treasury, War (Defense), Labor, Education, and other executive departments.
Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected President
The Electoral College formally elects the President. It is a compromise between a popular vote for president and selection by Congress.
What is one part of the judicial branch?
The Supreme Court
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts. The Department of Justice is part of the executive branch.
What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews and explains laws
The judicial branch reviews and explains laws, resolves disputes about the law, and decides whether a law goes against the Constitution.
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five
The Supreme Court has nine seats, and a simple majority of five justices is usually needed to decide a case.
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
For life
Supreme Court justices receive a lifetime appointment and serve until they retire, resign, or die, unless they are removed through impeachment.
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent of politics
Lifetime appointments let justices be independent of politics and limit outside political influence on their decisions.
Which of these is a power that is only for the states?
Give a driver's license
States provide schooling, police and fire protection, driver's licenses, and zoning. Printing money, declaring war, and making treaties are federal powers.
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people
The 10th Amendment states that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people.
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Which of these describes one of them?
Citizens eighteen and older can vote
The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments say that male citizens of any race, women, and citizens 18 and older can vote, and that no poll tax is required to vote.
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
U.S. citizens
Voting in federal elections, running for federal office, and serving on a jury are rights and responsibilities reserved for U.S. citizens.
Which of these is a right of everyone living in the United States, not only citizens?
The right to bear arms
Everyone living in the United States has freedom of expression, speech, assembly, religion, and petition, and the right to bear arms. Voting and jury service are for citizens.
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States and the flag
The Pledge of Allegiance expresses loyalty to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands.
Which of these is a promise new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance?
Give up loyalty to other countries
In the Oath of Allegiance, new citizens promise to give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution, obey U.S. laws, serve the nation if needed, and be loyal to the United States.
How can people become United States citizens?
Naturalize
People become U.S. citizens by being born in the United States under the 14th Amendment, by naturalizing, or by deriving citizenship under conditions set by Congress.
Which of these is an example of civic participation in the United States?
Join a political party
Civic participation includes voting, running for office, joining a political party or civic group, helping with a campaign, contacting elected officials, and writing to a newspaper.
What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Serve in the military
Americans can serve their country by voting, paying taxes, obeying the law, serving in the military, running for office, or working for local, state, or federal government.
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
It is required by law
Paying federal taxes is required by law and by the 16th Amendment. It is a civic duty, and all people pay to fund the federal government.
Why is it important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service?
It is required by law
Registering for the Selective Service is required by law and is a civic duty. It makes the draft fair if a draft is ever needed.
American History 49 questions
The colonial period and independence, the 1800s, and recent American history.
Practise only: American History →
Who was the first President of the United States?
George Washington
Washington served from 1789 to 1797 and is called the Father of Our Country.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
Americans celebrate this date as Independence Day.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson was the main author. Franklin and John Adams helped edit it.
What is one right in the Declaration of Independence?
Life
The Declaration names life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Who was President during the Civil War?
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln led the Union from 1861 until he was assassinated in 1865.
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves in most Southern states
Lincoln issued it in 1863. Slavery was abolished everywhere by the 13th Amendment in 1865.
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil War
The Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865.
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Which of these is one of them?
Religious freedom
Colonists came to America for freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, and economic opportunity, and to escape persecution.
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
American Indians, also called Native Americans, lived throughout North America for thousands of years before Europeans arrived.
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans
Millions of people from Africa were taken from their homes and sold as slaves in the Americas, including in the American colonies and later the United States.
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
The American Revolution
The American Revolution, also called the Revolutionary War or War for Independence, was fought from 1775 to 1783 and won independence from Britain.
Which of these is a reason the Americans declared independence from Britain?
Taxation without representation
Colonists objected to high taxes, taxation without representation, the quartering of British soldiers, and acts such as the Stamp Act and Intolerable Acts, and they lacked self-government.
The American Revolution had many important events. Which of these is one of them?
The Battle of Saratoga
Key Revolution events include Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, Washington crossing the Delaware, Saratoga, Valley Forge, and the British surrender at Yorktown.
Which of these was one of the 13 original states?
Georgia
The 13 original states were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
What founding document was written in 1787?
The U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The Declaration dates from 1776 and the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791.
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Who was one of the writers?
James Madison
The Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay under the shared pen name Publius.
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They supported passing the U.S. Constitution
The Federalist Papers were essays that helped people understand the proposed Constitution and argued for its ratification by the states.
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
First Postmaster General of the United States
Benjamin Franklin was the first Postmaster General, a U.S. diplomat, an inventor, a founder of the first free public libraries, and helped write the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
President of the Constitutional Convention
George Washington was general of the Continental Army, president of the Constitutional Convention, and the first President of the United States, earning the title "Father of Our Country."
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
Doubled the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, was the first Secretary of State and third President, made the Louisiana Purchase, and founded the University of Virginia.
James Madison is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
Known as the "Father of the Constitution"
James Madison is called the "Father of the Constitution." He co-wrote the Federalist Papers, was the fourth President, and led the country during the War of 1812.
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
First Secretary of the Treasury
Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury, a writer of the Federalist Papers, an aide to General Washington, and helped establish the First Bank of the United States.
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
The Louisiana Territory
In 1803 the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the size of the country. Florida came from Spain and Alaska from Russia.
Which of these wars was fought by the United States in the 1800s?
The Spanish-American War
In the 1800s the United States fought the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War (1898).
The Civil War had many important events. Which of these is one of them?
The Battle of Gettysburg
Important Civil War events include Fort Sumter, Antietam, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Sherman's March, the surrender at Appomattox, and Lincoln's assassination.
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
Delivered the Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, led the United States during the Civil War, saved the Union, freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation, and delivered the Gettysburg Address.
What U.S. war ended slavery?
The Civil War
The Civil War (1861-1865) ended slavery in the United States. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery throughout the country.
What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?
The 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, defines citizenship and guarantees equal protection of the laws to all persons.
When did all men get the right to vote?
1870, with the 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870 during Reconstruction after the Civil War, said the right to vote could not be denied because of race.
Who was one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s?
Susan B. Anthony
Leaders of the 1800s women's rights movement include Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott, and Lucy Stone.
Which of these wars was fought by the United States in the 1900s?
The Korean War
In the 1900s the United States fought World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War.
Why did the United States enter World War I?
Because Germany attacked U.S. ships
The United States entered World War I in 1917 after Germany attacked U.S. civilian ships, joining the Allied Powers against Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
When did all women get the right to vote?
1920
The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920 shortly after World War I, guaranteed women the right to vote.
What was the Great Depression?
The longest economic recession in modern history
The Great Depression was the longest economic recession in modern history. It began with the stock market crash of 1929 and lasted through the 1930s.
When did the Great Depression start?
With the stock market crash of 1929
The Great Depression began with the Great Crash, the stock market crash of October 1929, and lasted through most of the 1930s.
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt served as President from 1933 to 1945, leading the country through the Great Depression and most of World War II.
Why did the United States enter World War II?
Because Japan attacked Pearl Harbor
The United States entered World War II after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, joining the Allied Powers against the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
General during World War II
Dwight Eisenhower was a general in World War II, the 34th President, president at the end of the Korean War, and signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 that created the Interstate System.
Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?
The Soviet Union
During the Cold War, from the late 1940s to 1991, the United States' main rival was the Soviet Union (USSR).
During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?
Communism
During the Cold War, the United States was mainly concerned with stopping the spread of communism and preventing nuclear war.
Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
To stop the spread of communism
The United States entered the Korean War in 1950 to stop the spread of communism after communist North Korea invaded South Korea.
Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
To stop the spread of communism
The United States entered the Vietnam War to stop the spread of communism, supporting South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam.
What did the civil rights movement do?
Fought to end racial discrimination
The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s fought to end racial discrimination and win equal rights for all Americans.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Which of these is one of them?
Fought for civil rights
Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for civil rights and worked for equality for all Americans, so that people would be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.
Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
The United States entered the Persian Gulf War in 1991 to force the Iraqi military out of Kuwait after Iraq invaded that country in 1990.
What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States
On September 11, 2001, terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon, and a fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
Which of these is a U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks?
The War in Afghanistan
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States fought the War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq as part of the Global War on Terror.
Which of these is an American Indian tribe in the United States?
Navajo
American Indian tribes in the United States include the Navajo, Cherokee, Sioux, Apache, Hopi, Seminole, Mohawk, Choctaw, and many others.
Which of these is an example of an American innovation?
The light bulb
American innovations include the light bulb, the automobile, skyscrapers, the airplane, the assembly line, the integrated circuit, and landing on the moon.
Symbols and Holidays 11 questions
The flag, the national anthem and national holidays.
Practise only: Symbols and Holidays →
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
The 13 stripes stand for the original colonies.
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
There is one star for each state
A star is added when a new state joins. The 50th star was added in 1960 for Hawaii.
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key wrote the words in 1814.
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
July 4 marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. has been the capital of the United States since 1800. New York City and Philadelphia served as earlier capitals.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York Harbor, on Liberty Island
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, near New York City and New Jersey. It was a gift from France in 1886.
The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
Out of many, one
"E Pluribus Unum" is Latin for "Out of many, one." It appears on the Great Seal of the United States and on U.S. coins.
What is Independence Day?
A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence from Britain
Independence Day, July 4, celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and is often called the country's birthday.
Which of these is a national U.S. holiday?
Juneteenth
National U.S. holidays include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
What is Memorial Day?
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, honors soldiers who died in military service. Veterans Day honors all who have served.
What is Veterans Day?
A holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military
Veterans Day, November 11, honors all people who have served in the U.S. military. Memorial Day honors those who died in service.
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