U.S. Civics – 100 Naturalization Test Questions (2008 version)

1. What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

2. What does the Constitution do?

• Sets up the government • Defines the government • Protects basic rights of Americans

3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

“We the People”

4. What is an amendment?

• A change to the Constitution • An addition to the Constitution

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

Speech; Religion; Assembly; Press; Petition the government (any one)

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Twenty-seven (27)

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?

• Announced our independence from Great Britain • Declared our independence • Said that the United States is free

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Life; Liberty; Pursuit of happiness (any two)

10. What is freedom of religion?

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion

11. What is the economic system in the United States?

• Capitalist economy • Market economy

12. 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

13. Name one branch or part of the government.

• Congress • Legislative • President • Executive • The courts • Judicial (any one)

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

• Checks and balances • Separation of powers

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

The President

16. Who makes federal laws?

• Congress • Senate and House of Representatives • U.S. or national legislature

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

The Senate and the House of Representatives

18. How many U.S. Senators are there?

One hundred (100)

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

Six (6)

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

Answers will vary (D.C. and territories have no U.S. Senators)