USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 Version)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the official 128 civics questions and answers from the 2025 USCIS Naturalization test.

2025 Civics Test Passing Standard

An oral examination requiring applicants to answer at least $12$ out of up to $20$ questions correctly from a total pool of $128$ civics questions.

65/20 Special Consideration

An exemption permitting applicants age $65$ or older who have been lawful permanent residents for at least $20$ years to study only the $20$ asterisk-marked questions, take the test in their chosen language, and pass by answering at least $6$ out of $10$ questions ($60\%$) correctly.

United States Form of Government

A republic, Constitution-based federal republic, or representative democracy.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the land, written in $1787$, that forms the government, defines its powers and parts, and protects the basic rights of the people.

We the People

The opening words of the U.S. Constitution that signify self-government, popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, people governing themselves, or an example of a social contract.

Bill of Rights

Constitutional amendments designed to protect the basic rights of Americans and people living in the United States.

Constitutional Amendments

The formal method for making changes to the U.S. Constitution, of which there are currently $27$.

Declaration of Independence

The founding document adopted on July 4, $1776$, written by Thomas Jefferson, that announced the American colonies were free from British control, declared all people are created equal, and identified inherent rights including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Rule of Law

The foundational principle stating that everyone must follow the law, leaders and the government must obey the law, and no one is above the law.

Separation of Powers / Checks and Balances

The structure dividing government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to ensure that one part does not become too powerful.

U.S. Congress

The legislative branch of the federal government that writes laws, declares war, and makes the federal budget, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives.

U.S. Senate

The upper house of Congress consisting of $100$ members ($2$ from each state) who serve $6$-year terms and represent all citizens of their state.

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

The constitutional compromise that established equal representation for small states by allocating exactly two senators to each state.

U.S. House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress consisting of $435$ voting members who serve $2$-year terms to closely follow public opinion, representing the people living in their congressional districts based on state population.

22nd Amendment

The constitutional amendment that limits the President of the United States to serving a maximum of two terms to keep the president from becoming too powerful.

President of the United States

The head of the executive branch and Commander in Chief of the military, elected for a term of $4$ years, who signs bills into law, vetoes bills, enforces laws, and appoints federal judges.

President's Cabinet

A body composed of executive department secretaries and top officials whose constitutional duty is to advise the President.

Electoral College

The mechanism that decides who is elected president, functioning as a compromise between direct popular election and selection by Congress.

Supreme Court of the United States

The highest federal court in the judicial branch, comprising $9$ justices who serve lifetime appointments and typically require a majority of $5$ to decide a case.

Lifetime Tenure of Supreme Court Justices

The constitutional provision granting federal justices lifetime appointments to maintain independence from politics and limit outside political influence.

10th Amendment

The amendment establishing that powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government belong to the individual states or to the people.

14th Amendment

The constitutional amendment declaring that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, are U.S. citizens.

Selective Service

A mandatory legal registration required of all male citizens and residents aged $18$ through $25$ to ensure a fair draft if military conscription is needed.

Oath of Allegiance

The sworn promise made by new citizens to renounce loyalty to other nations, defend the Constitution, obey federal laws, and serve the nation or military if required.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Publius (James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay) to explain and promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

George Washington

The 'Father of Our Country,' General of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Convention, and the first President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, first Secretary of State, third President of the United States, and leader who doubled the nation's size via the Louisiana Purchase.

Alexander Hamilton

An author of the Federalist Papers, aide to General Washington, member of the Continental Congress, and the first Secretary of the Treasury who helped establish the First Bank of the United States.

James Madison

The 'Father of the Constitution,' fourth President of the United States during the War of 1812, and a co-author of the Federalist Papers.

Benjamin Franklin

A prominent founder who established the first free public libraries, served as the first Postmaster General, contributed to drafting the Declaration of Independence, and served as a diplomat and inventor.

Louisiana Territory

The vast tract of land purchased by the United States from France in $1803$, doubling the territory of the nation.

Abraham Lincoln

The $16$th President of the United States who led the Union through the Civil War, delivered the Gettysburg Address, preserved the Union, and freed the slaves.

Emancipation Proclamation

The wartime executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed slaves living in the Confederacy and Southern states.

15th Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified in $1870$ during Reconstruction following the Civil War that granted all men the right to vote.

19th Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified in $1920$ following World War I that extended voting rights to all women.

Great Depression

The longest economic recession in modern history, which was triggered by the stock market crash (the Great Crash) of $1929$.

Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956

Federal legislation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower that authorized and created the Interstate Highway System.

Cold War

A prolonged geopolitical rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR), dominated by American concerns regarding communism and nuclear war.

Civil Rights Movement

The social and political campaign dedicated to ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for all Americans.

E Pluribus Unum

The first official motto of the United States, translated from Latin as 'Out of many, one' or 'We all become one.'

Memorial Day

A national U.S. holiday observed to honor military service members who died in service to the country.

Veterans Day

A national U.S. holiday designated to honor all individuals who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military.