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WorksheetsWisconsin Civics Test
Total questions: 128
Worksheet time: 11mins
Principles of American Government: What is the form of government of the United States?
Constitution-based federal republic
Unitary parliamentary democracy
Absolute monarchy
Military junta
Principles of American Government: What is the supreme law of the land?
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation
Declaration of Independence
Principles of American Government: Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Defines powers of government
Elects the president
Sets tax rates for states
Creates state laws
Principles of American Government: The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
Popular sovereignty
Rule by elite
Divine right of kings
Military rule
Principles of American Government: How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Through the amendment process
By executive orders
By Supreme Court appointments
By state referendums alone
Principles of American Government: What does the Bill of Rights protect?
The basic rights of Americans
The federal government’s powers
State tax authority
Military policies
Principles of American Government: How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
10
27
26
33
Principles of American Government: Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says America is free from British control
It created the U.S. Constitution
It established the federal court system
It set the first federal income tax
Principles of American Government: What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
U.S. Constitution
Federalist Papers
Principles of American Government: Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality
Liberty
Natural rights
Limited government
Self-government
Principles of American Government: The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
U.S. Constitution
Magna Carta
Principles of American Government: What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism
Socialism
Command economy
Feudalism
Principles of American Government: What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law
Leaders must obey the law
Government must obey the law
No one is above the law
Principles of American Government: Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
Federalist Papers
Emancipation Proclamation
Monroe Doctrine
Treaty of Paris (1898)
Principles of American Government: There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
To allow the president to control all agencies
To remove checks and balances
To reduce the size of Congress
System of Government: Name the three branches of government.
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Bureaucratic
Electoral Commission
System of Government: The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
Legislative branch
Judicial branch
State government
System of Government: What part of the federal government writes laws?
U.S. Congress
Supreme Court
President
Cabinet
System of Government: What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House of Representatives
Senate and Supreme Court
House of Representatives and Cabinet
President and Congress
System of Government: Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Declares war
Vetoes laws
Appoints federal judges
Interprets laws
System of Government: How many U.S. senators are there?
50
100
435
200
System of Government: How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Two years
Four years
Six years
Eight years
How is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?
Ron Johnson
Tony Evers
Scott Walker
Glenn Grothman
System of Government: How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
100
435
250
500
System of Government: How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two years
Four years
Six years
Eight years
System of Government: Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
To increase campaign costs
To reduce the size of the House
To allow the president more control
System of Government: How many senators does each state have?
One
Two
Three
Four
System of Government: Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation for states
To favor large states
To mirror the number of House seats
To follow presidential tradition
Name your U.S. Representative for District #6.
Tammy Baldwin
Glenn Grothman
Joe Brandl
Tony Evers
System of Government: What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Mike Johnson
Hakeem Jeffries
Kevin McCarthy
Nancy Pelosi
System of Government: Who does a U.S. senator represent?
Citizens of their state
People in their congressional district only
The state legislature
The entire country
System of Government: Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens from their state
The state legislature
The Electoral College
The president
System of Government: Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens in their congressional district
The entire state
The entire country
The president’s cabinet
System of Government: Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their congressional district
The president
The Supreme Court
State governors
System of Government: Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
Because of the state’s population
Because they are larger in land area
Because they have more counties
Because they pay more federal taxes
System of Government: The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
Two years
Four years
Six years
Eight years
System of Government: The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
Because of the 22nd Amendment
Because of the First Amendment
Because of the Supreme Court’s lifetime tenure
Because of the Electoral College
System of Government: What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
Barack Obama
George W. Bush
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States.
J.D. Vance
Mike Pence
Nancy Pelosi
Chuck Schumer
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice President of the United States
The Speaker of the House
The Chief Justice of the United States
The Secretary of State
Name one power of the president.
Signs bills into law
Declares laws unconstitutional
Sets local zoning laws
Elects members of Congress
Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President of the United States
The Secretary of Defense
The Speaker of the House
The Vice President of the United States
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States
The Speaker of the House
The Chief Justice of the United States
Who vetoes bills?
The President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States
The Speaker of the House
The Secretary of the Treasury
Who appoints federal judges?
The President of the United States
The Senate Majority Leader
State governors
The Chief Justice of the United States
The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
President of the United States
Supreme Court
State legislatures
Senate Parliamentarian
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President of the United States
Writes and passes federal laws
Elects the Speaker of the House
Runs state courts
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Attorney General
Secretary of Education
Speaker of the House
Chief Justice of the United States
Senate Majority Leader
Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president.
It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
It chooses Supreme Court justices.
It sets the number of members of Congress.
What is one part of the judicial branch?
Supreme Court
Cabinet
Department of State
House of Representatives
What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews laws
Decides if a law goes against the U.S. Constitution
Commands the military
Prints money
Vetoes bills
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
Federal district courts
Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
State supreme courts
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine
Seven
Eleven
Thirteen
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five
Three
Seven
Nine
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
For life
Ten-year term
Until the next presidential election
Six-year term
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent of politics
To limit outside political influence
To speed up trials
To reduce government spending
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.
John Roberts
Clarence Thomas
Sonia Sotomayor
Elena Kagan
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Declare war
Approve zoning and land use
Issue driver’s licenses
Run local schools
Name one power that is only for the states.
Provide schooling and education
Mint coins
Declare war
Make treaties
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
It guarantees freedom of speech.
It abolishes slavery.
It creates the income tax.
Who is the governor of your state now?
Scott Walker
Tony Evers
Glenn Grothman
Ron Johnson
What is the capital of your state?
Madison, WI
Green Bay, WI
Milwaukee, WI
La Crosse, WI
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens eighteen and older can vote.
Citizens must own property to vote.
Only men can vote.
You must pay a poll tax to vote.
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
Citizens of the United States
Legal permanent residents
Anyone living in the United States
Visitors with tourist visas
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom of assembly
Hold a hereditary noble title
Be exempt from taxes
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
The flag
The President
The Supreme Court
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
Give up loyalty to other countries
Obey the laws of the United States
Serve as President
Refuse to pay federal taxes
How can people become United States citizens?
Be born in the United States, under conditions set by the 14th Amendment
Naturalize
Derive citizenship under conditions set by Congress
Apply for a green card
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote
Contact elected officials
Avoid jury service
Refuse to pay taxes
What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Vote
Ignore federal laws
Avoid community service
Refuse military service when drafted
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Required by law
Funds the federal government
Required by the U.S. Constitution (16th Amendment)
It is optional unless you vote
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Required by law
Civic duty
Makes the draft fair, if needed
Only necessary during wartime
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Select all that apply.
Freedom
Political liberty
Religious freedom
Economic opportunity
Escape persecution
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? Select all that apply.
American Indians
Native Americans
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves? Select all that apply.
Africans
People from Africa
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain? Select all that apply.
American Revolution
The (American) Revolutionary War
War for (American) Independence
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain. Select all that apply.
High taxes
Taxation without representation
British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)
They did not have self-government
Boston Massacre
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
(James) Madison
(Alexander) Hamilton
(John) Jay
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
1787
1775
July 4, 1789
The American Revolution had many important events. Select all that apply.
(Battle of) Bunker Hill
Declaration of Independence
Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)
(Battle of) Saratoga
Valley Forge (Encampment)
There were 13 original states. Select all that apply.
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
What founding document was written in 1787?
(U.S.) Constitution
Declaration of Independence
Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Select all who were writers.
(James) Madison
(Alexander) Hamilton
(John) Jay
Publius
Why were the Federalist Papers important? Select all that apply.
They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Select all that apply.
Founded the first free public libraries
First Postmaster General of the United States
Helped write the Declaration of Independence
Inventor
U.S. diplomat
George Washington is famous for many things. Select all that apply.
“Father of Our Country”
First president of the United States
General of the Continental Army
President of the Constitutional Convention
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Select all that apply.
Writer of the Declaration of Independence
Third president of the United States
Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)
Founded the University of Virginia
Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom
James Madison is famous for many things. Select all that apply.
“Father of the Constitution”
Fourth president of the United States
President during the War of 1812
One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Select all that apply.
First Secretary of the Treasury
One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
Helped establish the First Bank of the United States
Aide to General George Washington
Member of the Continental Congress
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? Select all that apply.
Louisiana Territory
Louisiana
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. Select all that apply.
War of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil War
The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The Spanish-American War
The Civil War had many important events. Select all that apply.
(Battle of) Fort Sumter
Emancipation Proclamation
(Battle of) Vicksburg
(Battle of) Gettysburg
Sherman’s March
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Select all that apply.
Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
Saved (or preserved) the Union
Led the United States during the Civil War
16th president of the United States
Delivered the Gettysburg Address
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? Select all that apply.
Freed the slaves
Freed slaves in the Confederacy
Freed slaves in the Confederate states
Freed slaves in most Southern states
What U.S. war ended slavery?
The Civil War
World War I
World War II
The Spanish-American War
What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?
14th Amendment
13th Amendment
15th Amendment
19th Amendment
When did all men get the right to vote? Select all that apply.
After the Civil War
During Reconstruction
(With the) 15th Amendment
1870
Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s. Select all that apply.
Susan B. Anthony
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Sojourner Truth
Harriet Tubman
Lucretia Mott
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. Select all that apply.
World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
(Persian) Gulf War
Why did the United States enter World War I? Select all that apply.
Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)
To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)
When did all women get the right to vote? Select all that apply.
1920
After World War I
(With the) 19th Amendment
What was the Great Depression?
Longest economic recession in modern history
A short period of inflation in the 1890s
The fastest economic expansion in U.S. history
A brief downturn following World War II
When did the Great Depression start? Select all that apply.
The Great Crash (1929)
Stock market crash of 1929
Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
(Franklin) Roosevelt
(Dwight) Eisenhower
(Woodrow) Wilson
(Harry) Truman
Why did the United States enter World War II? Select all that apply.
(Bombing of) Pearl Harbor
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia)
To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)
Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Select all that apply.
General during World War II
President at the end of (during) the Korean War
34th president of the United States
Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)
Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?
Soviet Union
People’s Republic of China
Russia
Nazi Germany
During the Cold War, which were main concerns of the United States? Select all that apply.
Communism
Nuclear war
Colonization by European powers
Hyperinflation
Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
To stop the spread of communism
To acquire new territory
To end Prohibition
To support a monarchy
Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
To stop the spread of communism
To defend European allies in NATO
To gain access to oil reserves
To expand colonial rule
What did the civil rights movement do?
Fought to end racial discrimination
Abolished the Supreme Court
Established a national religion
Ended all immigration
Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Select all statements that describe his work.
Fought for civil rights
Worked for equality for all Americans
Worked to ensure that people would "not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character"
Led a movement to end national parks
Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
To overthrow the government of Saudi Arabia
To annex Kuwait as a U.S. territory
To stop piracy in the Persian Gulf
What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? Select all that apply.
Terrorists attacked the United States
Terrorists hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
A hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
A hijacked plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
A volcanic eruption shut down major airports
Which were U.S. military conflicts after the September 11, 2001 attacks? Select all that apply.
(Global) War on Terror
War in Afghanistan
War in Iraq
Korean War
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Cherokee
Sioux
Navajo
Mohawk
Maori
Name one example of an American innovation. Select all that apply.
Light bulb
Airplane
Assembly line
Integrated circuit (IC)
Steam locomotive invented in ancient Rome
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
New York City
Philadelphia
Boston
Where is the Statue of Liberty located?
Liberty Island in New York Harbor
Washington, D.C.
Boston Harbor
Philadelphia waterfront
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
Because there are 13 federal departments
Because the U.S. has 13 territories
Because it honors 13 presidents
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Because there is one star for each state
Because each star represents a federal department
Because the U.S. has 50 national parks
Because the flag was designed in 1950
What is the name of the national anthem of the United States?
The Star-Spangled Banner
America the Beautiful
God Bless America
My Country, ’Tis of Thee
The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
Out of many, one
Strength through war
Liberty and justice for all
United we trade
What is Independence Day?
A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence from Britain—the country’s birthday
A holiday marking the end of the Civil War
A holiday to honor workers
A holiday for statehood anniversaries
Which of the following are national U.S. holidays? Select all that apply.
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Valentine’s Day
Election Day
What is Memorial Day?
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
A holiday to honor all public servants
A holiday to celebrate the first harvest
A holiday to recognize living veterans
What is Veterans Day?
A holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
A holiday to honor police officers only
A holiday to celebrate independence
