128 civics questions and answers 2025 version Iowa (citizenship test)

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

- (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 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

- Natural rights

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

Declaration of independence

What is the economic system in the United States?

- Capitalist economy

- 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

- Virginia declaration of rights

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?

- The 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?

- Chuck Grassley

- Joni Ernst

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?

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.

Rany Feenstra

Name your speaker of the house of representatives

Mike Johnson

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

The people of the state

Who elects U.S. senators?

Citizens from their state

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

- Citizens in their district

- People in their district

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Citizens from their district

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

(Because of) the state's population

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

Four (4)

The president of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

- (Because of) the 22nd amendment

- To keep the present form becoming to powerful

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

Donald J 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

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 the Commander in Chief of the 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 judges?

The President of the United States

The executive branch has how many parts. name one.

- The president

- 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?

- Secretary of State

- Secretary of Education

- Secretary of health and human services

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

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 Cheif Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

- Print paper money

- Declare war

- Make treaties

Name one power that is only for the states.

- Provide schooling and education

- Provide protection

- Give a drivers license

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?

Kim Reynolds

What is the capital of your state?

Des Moines

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

- Citizens

- 18 or older

Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?

- Citizens of the United States

what are three rights of everyone living in the United States

- Freedom of speech

- Freedom of religion

- The right to bear arms

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

- The united states

- 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

How can people become United States citizens?

- Naturalize

- Derive citizenship

- Be born in the United States

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

- Vote

- Run for office

- Join a political party

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

- Vote

- Pay taxes

- Obey the law

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)

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

The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.

- Freedom

- Religious Freedom

- Economic opportunities

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

- American Indians

- Native Americans

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

- Africans

- People of Africa

What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?

American Revolution

Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

- High taxes

- stamp act

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the declaration of independence?

July 4, 1776

The American revolution had many important events. Name one.

- Declaration of Independence

- Battle of Bunker Hill

There were 13 original states. Name five.

- New York

- Pennsylvania

- Virgina

- Gorgia

- New Jersey

What founding document was written in 1787?

U.S. Constitution

The federalist papers supported the passage of the U.S. constitution. Name one of the writers

- Alexander Hamilton

- James Madison

Why were the Federalist Papers important?

- They helped people understand the U.S. Constitution

- They supported passing the U.S. constitution

Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one

- Founded the first free public libraries

- Helped write the Declaration of Independence

George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

- Father of our country

- First president of the United States

Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

- Writer of the declaration of independence

- Third president of the. united states

- First Secretary of State

James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

- "Father of the Constitution"

- Fourth president of the United States

- President during the War of 1812

Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

- First Secretary of the treasury

- One of the writers of the federalist paper

- Helped establish the first bank of the United States

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

Louisiana

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

- War of 1812

- Civil war

Name the U.S. war between the north and the South.

Civil War

The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

- Lincoln was assassinated

- (Battle of) Vicksburg

- (Battle of) Gettysburg

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

- Freed the slaves

- Led the United States during the civil war

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

- Freed the slaves

What U.S. war ended slavery?

The civil war

What amendment says all person born or naturalized in the United States, and subjected to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?

14th Amendment

When did all men get the right to vote?

- After the civil war

- During reconstruction

- 1870

Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.

- Harriet Tubman

- Lucy Stone

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s

- World war 1

- World war 2