Citizen Test Study

What is the form of government of the United States?

• Republic

• Constitution-based federal republic

• Representative democracy

What is the supreme law of the land?

• (U.S.) Constitution

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

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

• (Example of) social contract

How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

• Amendments

• The amendment process

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

• (The basic) rights of Americans

• (The basic) rights of people living in the United States

How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

• Twenty-seven (27)

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.

What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

• Declaration of Independence

Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

• Equality

• Liberty

• Social contract

• Natural rights

• Limited government

• Self-government

The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?

• Declaration of Independence

What is the economic system of the United States

• Capitalism

• Free market economy

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

Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Federalist Papers

• Anti-Federalist Papers

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• Mayflower Compact

• 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

Name the three branches of government.

• Legislative, executive, and judicial

• Congress, president, and the courts

The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

• Executive branch

What part of the federal government writes laws?

• (U.S.) Congress

• (U.S. or national) legislature

• Legislative branch

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

• Senate and House (of Representatives)

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

• Writes laws

• Declares war

• Makes the federal budget

How many U.S. senators are there?

• One hundred (100)

How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

• Six (6) years

Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?

Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. senators.]

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

• Four hundred thirty-five (435)

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

• Two (2) years

Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

• To more closely follow public opinion

How many senators does each state have?

• Two (2)

Why does each state have two senators?

• Equal representation (for small states)

• The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Name your U.S. representative.

• Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) representatives in Congress.]

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

• Citizens of their state

• People of their state

Who elects U.S. senators?

• Citizens from their state

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

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

The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

Four (4) 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

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

• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States.

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.

If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

• The Vice President (of the United States)

Name one power of the president

•Signs bills into law

•Vetoes bills

•Enforces laws

• Commander in Chief (of the military)

• Chief diplomat

• Appoints federal judges

Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

• The President (of the United States)

Who signs bills to become laws?

• The President (of the United States)

Who vetoes bills?

The President (of the United States)

Who appoints federal judge

The President (of the United States)

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

• President (of the United States)

• Cabinet

• Federal departments and agencies

What does the President’s Cabinet do?

• Advises the President (of the United States)

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

• Attorney General

• Secretary of Agriculture

• Secretary of Commerce

• Secretary of Education

• Secretary of Energy

• Secretary of Health and Human Services

• Secretary of Homeland Security

• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

• Secretary of the Interior

• Secretary of Labor

• Secretary of State

• Secretary of Transportation

• Secretary of the Treasury

• Secretary of Veterans Affairs

• Secretary of War (Defense)

• Vice-President

• Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

• Administrator of the Small Business Administration

• Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

• Director of the Office of Management and Budget

• Director of National Intelligence

• United States Trade Representative

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.

What is one part of the judicial branch?

• Supreme Court

• Federal Courts

What does the judicial branch do?

• Reviews laws

• Explains laws

• Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law

• Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution

What is the highest court in the United States?

• Supreme Court

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

• Nine (9)

How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?

• Five (5)

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

• (For) life

• Lifetime appointment

• (Until) retirement

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

• To be independent (of politics)

• To limit outside (political) influence

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.

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

• Print paper money

• Mint coins

• Declare war

• Create an army

• Make treaties

• Set foreign policy

Name one power that is only for the states.

• Provide schooling and education

• Provide protection (police)

• Provide safety (fire departments)

• Give a driver’s license

• Approve zoning and land use

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

• (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.