USCIS 128-question civics bank
128 USCIS Civics Questions and Answers
Quick answer
Study all 128 USCIS civics questions and accepted answers. Review the complete question bank by topic, use translations when needed, and practice answering each question aloud.
Key facts
Study the 128 USCIS Civics Questions
Read each question, say the answer aloud, and compare it with the accepted study answer shown below. Use the topic filters to focus your review and optional translations when you need study assistance. Questions marked as changing or location-dependent should be verified again shortly before your interview.
For test format and scoring, read the USCIS civics test guide. For a structured preparation plan, use the USCIS civics test study guide.
Question bank
American Government
What is the form of government of the United States?
RepublicWhat is the supreme law of the land?
The ConstitutionName one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the governmentThe U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
Self-governmentHow are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
AmendmentsWhat does the Bill of Rights protect?
The rights of people living in the United StatesHow many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
27Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says America is free from British controlWhat founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
The Declaration of IndependenceName two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality and libertyThe words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
The Declaration of IndependenceWhat is the economic system of the United States?
Free market economyWhat is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the lawMany documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
The Declaration of IndependenceThere are three branches of government. Why?
Checks and balancesName the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicialThe President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
The executive branchWhat part of the federal government writes laws?
CongressWhat are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and House of RepresentativesName one power of the U.S. Congress.
Writes lawsHow many U.S. Senators are there?
100How long is a term for a U.S. Senator?
6 yearsWho is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
Answers vary by state Update before interview: this answer can change. Depends on your location: verify your state or district information.How many voting members are there in the House of Representatives?
435How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 yearsWhy do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. Senators?
To more closely follow public opinionHow many senators does each state have?
2Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representationName your U.S. representative.
Answers vary by congressional district Update before interview: this answer can change. Depends on your location: verify your state or district information.What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Mike Johnson Update before interview: this answer can change.Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
The people of their stateWho elects U.S. Senators?
Citizens from their stateWho does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
The people in their districtWho elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their districtSome states have more representatives than other states. Why?
Because they have more peopleThe President of the United States is elected for how many years?
4 yearsThe President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
Because of the 22nd AmendmentWhat is the name of the President of the United States now?
Donald Trump Update before interview: this answer can change.What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
JD Vance Update before interview: this answer can change.If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice PresidentName one power of the president.
Signs bills into lawWho is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The PresidentWho signs bills to become laws?
The PresidentWho vetoes bills?
The PresidentWho appoints federal judges?
The PresidentThe executive branch has many parts. Name one.
The PresidentWhat does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the PresidentWhat are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of State and Secretary of TransportationWhy is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected presidentWhat is one part of the judicial branch?
The Supreme CourtWhat does the judicial branch do?
Reviews lawsWhat is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme CourtHow many seats are on the Supreme Court?
9How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
5How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
For lifeSupreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independentWho is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts Update before interview: this answer can change.Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Print paper moneyName one power that is only for the states.
Give a driver’s licenseWhat is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the peopleWho is the governor of your state now?
Answers vary by state Update before interview: this answer can change. Depends on your location: verify your state or district information.What is the capital of your state?
Answers vary by state Depends on your location: verify your state or district information.There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one.
Any citizen can voteWho can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
CitizensWhat are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of speech, religion, and assemblyWhat do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United StatesName two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
Obey the laws and be loyal to the United StatesHow can people become United States citizens?
NaturalizeWhat are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote and run for officeWhat is one way Americans can serve their country?
VoteWhy is it important to pay federal taxes?
It is required by lawMen age 18 through 25 must register for Selective Service. Name one reason why.
It is required by lawQuestion bank
American History
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
FreedomWho lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native AmericansWhat group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
AfricansWhat war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
The American RevolutionName one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxesWho wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas JeffersonWhen was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
The Declaration of IndependenceThere were 13 original states. Name five.
Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and DelawareWhat founding document was written in 1787?
The ConstitutionThe Federalist Papers supported passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one writer.
James MadisonWhy were the Federalist Papers important?
They helped people understand the ConstitutionBenjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
U.S. diplomatGeorge Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
First President of the United StatesThomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Writer of the Declaration of IndependenceJames Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
One of the writers of the Federalist PapersAlexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
One of the writers of the Federalist PapersWhat territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
The Louisiana TerritoryName one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
The Civil WarName the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil WarThe Civil War had many important events. Name one.
The Emancipation ProclamationAbraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
Freed the slavesWhat did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slavesWhat U.S. war ended slavery?
The Civil WarWhat amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, are U.S. citizens?
The 14th AmendmentWhen did all men get the right to vote?
After the Civil WarName one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.
Susan B. AnthonyName one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War IWhy did the United States enter World War I?
To support the Allied PowersWhen did all women get the right to vote?
After World War IWhat was the Great Depression?
The longest economic recession in modern historyWhen did the Great Depression start?
The stock market crash of 1929Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin RooseveltWhy did the United States enter World War II?
To support the Allied PowersDwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.
General during World War IIWho was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?
The Soviet UnionDuring the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?
CommunismWhy did the United States enter the Korean War?
To stop the spread of communismWhy did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
To stop the spread of communismWhat did the civil rights movement do?
Fought to end racial discriminationMartin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
Fought for civil rightsWhy did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
To force the Iraqi military from KuwaitWhat major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United StatesName one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The War in AfghanistanName one American Indian tribe in the United States.
HopiName one example of an American innovation.
The airplaneQuestion bank
Integrated Civics: Geography, Symbols and Holidays
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York HarborWhy does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original coloniesWhy does the flag have 50 stars?
Because there are 50 statesWhat is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled BannerThe Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
Out of many, oneWhat is Independence Day?
The country’s birthdayName three national U.S. holidays.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s DayWhat is Memorial Day?
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military serviceWhat is Veterans Day?
A holiday to honor people in the U.S. militaryCommon questions
Frequently asked questions
Does USCIS ask all 128 questions?
No. The 128 questions form the study bank for the 128-question test version. During the real oral test, USCIS asks up to 20 questions and stops when the applicant reaches the passing or failing threshold.
How many answers must be correct?
For the 128-question test version, an applicant must answer 12 questions correctly to pass.
Which USCIS civics test version applies to me?
The version depends on the Form N-400 filing date and USCIS rules. Confirm the test version shown for your case before studying.
Are the optional translations official?
No. Translations are study assistance. The English question and English study answer remain the reference on this website.
Use official information for your case
This independent guide is for education and test preparation. Confirm test rules, forms, appointments and changing answers with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This website does not provide legal advice.
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026