WorksheetsUSCIS Civics Test Overview Page
Total questions: 128
Worksheet time: 1hrs 4mins
What is the form of government of the United States?
Republic
Constitution-based federal republic
Representative democracy
Monarchy
What is the supreme law of the land?
U.S. Constitution
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the government
Defines powers of government
Defines the parts of government
Protects the rights of the people
Collects taxes
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
Self-government
Popular sovereignty
Consent of the governed
People should govern themselves
Rule by kings
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Amendments
Executive orders
Judicial review
The amendment process
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
The basic rights of Americans
The rights of people living in the United States
The powers of the states
The king’s privileges
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
Twenty-seven (27)
Ten (10)
Twenty (20)
Thirty-three (33)
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says America is free from British control.
It says all people are created equal.
It identifies inherent rights.
It identifies individual freedoms.
It establishes the U.S. Constitution.
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality
Liberty
Social contract
Natural rights
Limited government
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Federalist Papers
What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism
Free market economy
Command economy
Feudalism
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.
Laws apply only to some people.
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
Federalist Papers
Articles of Confederation
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Iroquois Great Law of Peace
There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
To let states choose laws
Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial
Congress, president, and the courts
State, local, and federal
Monarchy, oligarchy, democracy
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
Legislative branch
Judicial branch
State government
What part of the federal government writes laws?
U.S. Congress
U.S. legislature
Legislative branch
Supreme Court
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate
House of Representatives
Cabinet
Supreme Court
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Writes laws
Declares war
Makes the federal budget
Appoints judges
How many U.S. senators are there?
One hundred (100)
Fifty (50)
Two hundred (200)
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Six (6) years
Two (2) years
Four (4) years
Eight (8) years
According to the worksheet, what should District of Columbia residents or residents of U.S. territories say when asked to name one of their state’s U.S. senators?
The District of Columbia (or the territory) has no U.S. senators.
Name the President of the United States.
Name the Governor of the state.
List any member of the House of Representatives.
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
One hundred (100)
Two (2)
Fifty (50)
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years
Four (4) years
Six (6) years
Eight (8) years
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
To reduce government spending
To increase judicial power
To allow fewer elections
How many senators does each state have?
Two (2)
One (1)
Three (3)
Four (4)
Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation for small states
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
To give larger states more power
To follow population
For residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners, what is an acceptable response when asked to name your U.S. representative?
Provide the name of the Delegate or Resident Commissioner.
Say that the territory has no voting representatives in Congress.
Name any U.S. senator.
Say the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name.
It is always the Vice President.
The Speaker is elected every four years.
It is listed permanently in the Constitution.
Who does a U.S. senator represent?
Citizens of their state
People of their state
Only the governor
Only the president
Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens from their state
The President
The Supreme Court
The Cabinet
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens in their congressional district
Citizens in their district
People from their congressional district
People in their district
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their congressional district
The President
Senators
Governors
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
Because of the state’s population
Because they have more people
Because some states have more people
Because of the state’s size
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
Four (4) years
Two (2) years
Six (6) years
Eight (8) years
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
Because of the 22nd Amendment
To keep the president from becoming too powerful
Because of the First Amendment
To limit Congress
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name.
It is decided by the Supreme Court.
It never changes.
It is always the Speaker of the House.
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? Use the official resource noted in the worksheet to find the current name.
Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name
Ask a local library for the current name
Look in any history textbook for the current name
Use a personal blog to find the current name
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice President
The Speaker of the House
The Chief Justice
The Secretary of State
Name one power of the president.
Signs bills into law
Writes the Constitution
Sets state sales tax rates
Elects members of Congress
Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President
The Vice President
The Secretary of Defense
The Chief Justice
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
The Vice President
The Speaker of the House
The Secretary of State
Who vetoes bills?
The President
The Supreme Court
The Senate Majority Leader
The Vice President
Who appoints federal judges?
The President
The Senate Majority Leader
The Chief Justice
The Speaker of the House
The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
The President
State legislatures
County school boards
City mayors
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President
Writes state laws
Runs elections
Selects Supreme Court justices
What are two Cabinet-level positions? Select two.
Attorney General
Secretary of Agriculture
City Treasurer
County Sheriff
Speaker of the House
Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president
It writes federal laws
It appoints Supreme Court justices
It collects federal taxes
What is one part of the judicial branch?
Supreme Court
The Cabinet
State legislature
Department of Education
What does the judicial branch do?
Decides if a law goes against the Constitution
Elects the president
Prints money
Negotiates treaties
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
District Court
State Supreme Court
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine
Five
Seven
Eleven
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 years
Until age 70
Two terms
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent of politics
To campaign for reelection
To raise taxes
To lead the military
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? Use the official resource noted in the worksheet to find the current name.
Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name
Ask a social media poll for the current name
Use a history novel for the current name
Search an unofficial fan site for the current name
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Declare war
Issue state driver’s licenses
Approve zoning and land use
Run local schools
Name one power that is only for the states.
Provide schooling and education
Make treaties
Print paper money
Declare war
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people
It abolishes slavery
It gives women the right to vote
It establishes the income tax
Who is the governor of your state now? Use what the worksheet notes about varying by location.
Answers vary; check your state’s official site
The Vice President
The Chief Justice
The Speaker of the House
What is the capital of your state? Use what the worksheet notes about varying by location.
Answers vary; check your state or territory’s official information
New York City for every state
Washington, D.C. for all states
The largest city in the state
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens 18 and older can vote
Only property owners can 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?
U.S. citizens
Permanent residents
Visitors on tourist visas
State residents only
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? Select three.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom of expression
Mandatory military service
Government-controlled media
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States and the flag
The president only
The Supreme Court
The Cabinet
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance. Select two.
Obey the laws of the United States
Give up loyalty to other countries
Refuse to serve the nation when needed
Ignore the Constitution
Never vote
How can people become United States citizens?
Be born in the United States or naturalize
Win a national lottery
Serve one year in the military
Move to any state for five years
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States? Select two.
Vote
Run for office
Ignore elections
Refuse jury duty
Avoid contacting officials
What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Vote
Disobey laws you dislike
Refuse to pay taxes
Avoid community groups
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Required by law and funds the federal government
To earn extra votes
To join a political party
To serve on a jury
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Required by law
To get a driver’s license
To avoid voting
To become a judge
Which of the following was a reason the colonists came to America?
To gain political liberty
To join the British Army
To avoid paying any taxes
To become members of Parliament
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Pilgrims
American Indians (Native Americans)
British colonists
French explorers
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
People from Africa
Native Americans
European immigrants
Asian merchants
Which war did Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
War of 1812
American Revolutionary War
Civil War
Spanish–American War
Which was a reason the Americans declared independence from Britain?
Taxation without representation
Desire to be ruled by a king
To expand the British Empire
To avoid writing a constitution
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
April 12, 1789
September 17, 1787
December 25, 1775
Which of the following was an important event of the American Revolution?
Battle of Saratoga
Louisiana Purchase
Oregon Trail migration
Gold Rush of 1849
Which of the following were among the 13 original states? Select all that apply.
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
California
Virginia
Georgia
Which founding document was written in 1787?
Bill of Rights
(U.S.) Constitution
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Which person was a writer of the Federalist Papers?
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They helped people understand and supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution
They abolished slavery
They created the Supreme Court
They ended the Revolutionary War
Which of the following is something Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
Being a U.S. diplomat
Serving as president of the United States
Leading the Confederate Army
Inventing the steam engine
Which of the following is something George Washington is famous for?
First president of the United States
Author of the Declaration of Independence
Signer of the Emancipation Proclamation
Fourth president of the United States
Which of the following is something Thomas Jefferson is famous for?
Writer of the Declaration of Independence
First Secretary of the Treasury
President during World War II
Founder of the Federal Reserve
Which of the following is something James Madison is famous for?
“Father of the Constitution”
Commander of the Continental Army
Third president of the United States
Leader of the Confederacy
Which of the following is something Alexander Hamilton is famous for?
First Secretary of the Treasury
Sixteenth president of the United States
Author of the Gettysburg Address
President of the Constitutional Convention
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Florida
Louisiana Territory
Alaska
Texas
Which of the following was a war fought by the United States in the 1800s?
Vietnam War
War of 1812
Gulf War
Korean War
What was the U.S. war between the North and the South called?
The Revolutionary War
The Civil War
The Spanish–American War
World War I
Which of the following was an important event of the Civil War?
Battle of Gettysburg
California Gold Rush
Boston Tea Party
Battle of Yorktown
Which of the following is something Abraham Lincoln is famous for?
Delivered the Gettysburg Address
First Secretary of the Treasury
President during World War I
Signed the Declaration of Independence
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves
Raised taxes on tea
Established the Supreme Court
Declared war on Britain
Which U.S. war ended slavery?
The Civil War
World War I
The War of 1812
The Mexican–American War
Which amendment states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are U.S. citizens?
10th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
19th Amendment
When did all men get the right to vote nationwide?
1865
1870
1920
1945
Which person was a leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s?
Susan B. Anthony
Amelia Earhart
Eleanor Roosevelt
Sacagawea
Which of the following was a war fought by the United States in the 1900s?
World War I
Civil War
Mexican–American War
War of 1812
Why did the United States enter World War I?
Because Germany attacked U.S. civilian ships
To conquer Canada
To start the League of Nations
Because of the Gold Rush
When did all women get the right to vote nationwide?
1870
1920
1941
1964
What was the Great Depression?
The longest economic recession in modern history
A brief war with Britain
A period of scientific discovery
The name for the space race
When did the Great Depression start?
1914 at the start of World War I
1929 with the stock market crash
1939 at the start of World War II
1901 with the assassination of McKinley
Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson
Theodore Roosevelt
Dwight Eisenhower
Why did the United States enter World War II?
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
To oppose the Civil War
To annex Greenland
Because Britain declared war on the U.S.
Which of the following is something Dwight Eisenhower is famous for?
34th president of the United States
Author of the Declaration of Independence
President during the Great Depression
First Secretary of State
Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War? Select all that apply.
Soviet Union
USSR
Russia
Germany
During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States? Select all that apply.
Communism
Nuclear war
Isolationism
Territorial expansion into Canada
Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
To stop the spread of communism
To gain new colonies in Asia
To support German reunification
To secure oil resources
Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
To stop the spread of communism
To defend Alaska from invasion
To establish military bases in Europe
To end a trade embargo
What did the civil rights movement do?
Fought to end racial discrimination
Expanded U.S. territory to the Pacific
Created the United Nations
Ended immigration
Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. Select all that apply.
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 military invasion of Europe
Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
To annex Kuwait into the United States
To defend Alaska from attack
To stop piracy in the Atlantic Ocean
What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? Select all that apply.
Terrorists attacked the United States
Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Select all that apply.
(Global) War on Terror
War in Afghanistan
War in Iraq
Spanish-American War
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. Select all that apply.
Apache
Cherokee
Navajo
Sioux
Mayan
Name one example of an American innovation. Select all that apply.
Light bulb
Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine)
Airplane
Integrated circuit (IC)
Printing press (15th-century Europe)
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
New York City
Philadelphia
Boston
Where is the Statue of Liberty? Select all that apply.
New York Harbor
Liberty Island
New Jersey
Hudson River
Boston Harbor
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
Because there are 13 federal departments
Because there were 13 presidents at the founding
Because there are 13 states today
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Because there is one star for each state
Because the U.S. has 50 presidents
Because it honors 50 major cities
Because stars symbolize freedom without a number
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
America the Beautiful
Yankee Doodle
God Bless America
The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
Out of many, one
From the sea to the shining mountains
Liberty and justice for all
Strength through arms
What is Independence Day? Select all that apply.
A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
The country’s birthday
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in service
A holiday marking the end of World War II
Name three national U.S. holidays. Select all that apply.
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Independence Day
Thanksgiving Day
Election Day
What is Memorial Day?
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
A holiday to honor all veterans
A day to celebrate the Constitution
A day to mark the end of summer
What is Veterans Day? Select all that apply.
A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)
A day to honor only those who died in battle
A celebration of American independence
