USCIS Naturalization Civics Test Study Guide

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering all 72 civics questions from the naturalization test lecture notes, testing knowledge of American government, rights, the U.S. Constitution, branches of government, and civic duties.

What is the form of government of the United States?

Republic, Constitution-based federal republic, or representative democracy

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Forms the government, defines powers of government, defines the parts of government, or 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, or an example of a social contract

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

Amendments or the amendment process

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

The basic rights of Americans or 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, says all people are created equal, identifies inherent rights, and 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, or 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 or free market economy

What is the rule of law?

Everyone must follow the law, leaders must obey the law, government must obey the law, and 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, or Iroquois Great Law of Peace

There are three branches of government. Why?

So one part does not become too powerful, checks and balances, or separation of powers

Name the three branches of government.

Legislative, executive, and judicial (or 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, national legislature, or 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, or 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 (in Georgia)?

Jon Ossoff or Raphael Warnock

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), or the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Name your U.S. representative (for Georgia's 4th District).

Hank Johnson

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

Mike Johnson

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

Citizens of their state (or people of their state)

Who elects U.S. senators?

Citizens of their state (or people of their state)

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Citizens in their congressional district (or people from their congressional 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 (they 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, or to keep the president from becoming too powerful

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

Donald Trump

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

JD Vance

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, or appoints federal judges

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

The President

Who signs bills to become laws?

The President

Who vetoes bills?

The President

Who appoints federal judges?

The President

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

President of the United States, Cabinet, or federal departments and agencies

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Advises the President of the United States

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Defense, 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, Attorney General, or Vice President

Why is the Electoral College important?

It decides who is elected president, and it provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.

What is one part of the judicial branch?

Supreme Court or Federal Courts

What does the judicial branch do?

Reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law, or 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, or until retirement

Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

To be independent of politics and to limit outside political influence

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Print paper money, mint coins, declare war, create an army, make treaties, or 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, or 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.

Who is the governor of your state now (in Georgia)?

Brian Kemp

What is the capital of your state (Georgia)?

Atlanta

There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

Citizens eighteen ($18$) and older can vote; you don't have to pay a poll tax to vote; any citizen can vote (women and men can vote); or a male citizen of any race can 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 (U.S. citizens)

What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?

Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

The United States or the flag

Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

Give up loyalty to other countries, defend the U.S. Constitution, obey the laws of the United States, serve in the military (if needed), serve the nation (if needed), or be loyal to the United States

How can people become United States citizens?

Be born in the United States under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment, naturalize, or derive citizenship under conditions set by Congress

What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Vote, run for office, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic or community group, contact elected officials, support or oppose an issue or policy, or write to a newspaper

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

Vote, pay taxes, obey the law, serve in the military, run for office, or work for local, state, or federal government

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

Required by law, all people pay to fund the federal government, required by the U.S. Constitution (16th Amendment), and civic duty

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, or makes the draft fair, if needed