Citizenship Test

What is an amendment?

• an introduction

• a change (to the Constitution)

• the beginning of the Declaration of Independence

• the Preamble to the Constitution

Answer explanation

An amendment is a change to the Constitution. The country grows and changes. Amendments to the Constitution allow the government to grow and change, too. For example, the Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote. Many people, like Susan B. Anthony, fought for this right for many years. Today, women can vote because of this amendment.

Why did the colonists fight the British?

• because of high taxes

• because the British army stayed in their houses

• because they didn't have self government

• all of these answers

Answer explanation

The colonists fought the British because they wanted to be free from Britain. They fought the British because of unfair taxes. They fought because they didn’t have self-government. When the American colonies formed, they were part of Britain. Britain increased taxes for colonists on things they bought and used every day, like tea. Many colonists were angry because no one represented their needs in the British government. Colonists believed they did not have self-government. The British forced colonists to allow British soldiers to sleep and eat in their homes. The colonists joined together to fight Britain and gain independence.  

What is the political party of the President now?

• Republican Party

• Independent Party

• Green Party

• Democratic Party

Answer explanation

Today, there are two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. The political party of the president might change in each election.

What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

• fought for women's suffrage

• fought for civil rights

• became a U.S. Senator

• ran for President of the United States

Answer explanation

Martin Luther King, Jr., fought for civil rights and worked for equality for all Americans. In some places, it was difficult for African Americans and other groups to vote in elections. One citizen who is famous for helping the government change is Martin Luther King, Jr. He worked for equality for all Americans. He led thousands of men and women in nonviolent protests. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that nonviolent protest was more powerful than violence. The government passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These laws ended segregation and protected voting rights. On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. Each year in January, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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

• George W. Bush

• Kamala Harris

• Donald Trump

• Barack Obama

Answer explanation

The president of the United States is the leader of the executive branch. The president enforces the laws of the United States.

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

• youngest member of the Constitutional Convention

• U.S. diplomat

• third president of the United States

• inventor of the airplane

Answer explanation

Benjamin Franklin was a famous American. He lived from 1706 to 1790. Benjamin Franklin was an inventor. He invented many things that we use today. He invented bifocal eyeglasses. He invented the Franklin stove. Franklin was the writer of Poor Richard's Almanac. It was a book with information about the weather and other topics. Franklin became the first postmaster general of the United States in 1775. He created the postal, or mail, system in the United States. Also, he started the first free libraries. Later, he was a U.S. diplomat. He was the oldest member at the Constitutional Convention.

What does the Constitution do?

• protect basic rights of Americans

• sets up the government

• defines the government

• all of these answers

Answer explanation

The Constitution creates the federal government. It says how the federal government works. It creates a government where citizens choose senators and representatives to make laws for the country. The Constitution also protects the basic rights of all Americans. People at the Constitutional Convention wrote the Constitution in 1787. It is the oldest constitution in the world still used today.

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

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• John Adams

• George Washington

Answer explanation

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers. The U.S. Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. People at the Constitutional Convention decided how the government should work. Then James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers. The Federalist Papers explained the new government. They said that the new United States needed the Constitution. Newspapers all over the United States published the Federalist Papers.

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

• trial by jury

• speech

• to bear arms

• to vote

Answer explanation

The First Amendment protects the right of speech, assembly, and press. It protects the right to petition the government and freedom of religion. Democracy works only if people can talk to each other and share their opinions. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects these rights.

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

• Joe Biden

• John G. Roberts, Jr.

• Barack Obama

• Anthony Kennedy

Answer explanation

The Chief Justice of the United States is the leader of the judicial branch. This person is one of nine justices of the Supreme Court.