USCIS 2025 New Version

What is the form of government of the United States?

Republic

What is the supreme law of the land?

Constitution

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Forms the 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

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

Amendments

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?

27

Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

It says America is free from British control.

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.

Liberty/ 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

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

Declaration of Independence

There are three branches of government. Why?

Checks and balances

Name the three branches of government.

Legislative, executive, judicial

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

Executive branch

What part of the federal government writes laws?

Congress

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

How many U.S. senators are there?

100

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

6 years

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

Elizabeth Warren (D)

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

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?

2

Why does each state have two senators?

Equal representation (for small states)

Name your U.S. representative.

Ayanna Pressley

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

Mike Johnson (R)

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 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?

4 years

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

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?

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 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 judges?

The President (of the United States)

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

President

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Advises the President

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of Agriculture / Secretary of Education / Secretary of Labor / Secretary of State / Secretary of Transportation

Why is the Electoral College important?

It decides who is elected president

What is one part of the judicial branch?

Supreme Court

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?

9

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

5

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

For life

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?

John Roberts

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Print paper money / Declare war

Name one power that is only for the states.

Provide schooling and education / Give a driver's 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?

Maura Healey

What is the capital of your state?

Boston

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

Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote)

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

Citizens

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 / Obey the laws of the United States / Serve in the military (if needed) / Serve (help

How can people become United States citizens?

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 / Serve in the military / Run for office / Work for local

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) / 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 / Makes the draft fair

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

Freedom / Political liberty / Religious freedom / Economic opportunity / Escape persecution

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

American Indians / Native Americans

What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

Africans / People from Africa

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

American Revolution / The (American) Revolutionary War / War for (American) Independence

Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

High taxes / Taxation without representation

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

(Thomas) Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

(Battle of) Bunker Hill / Declaration of Independence / Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton) / (Battle of) Saratoga / Valley Forge (Encampment) / (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)

There were 13 original states. Name five.

New Hampshire / New York / New Jersey / Massachusetts / Rhode Island

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.

(James) Madison / (Alexander) Hamilton / (John) Jay / Publius

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 / First Postmaster General of the United States / Helped write the Declaration of Independence / Inventor / U.S. diplomat

George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

"Father of Our Country" / First president of the United States / General of the Continental Army / President of the Constitutional Convention

Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

Writer of the Declaration of Independence / Third president of the United States / Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase) / First Secretary of State / Founded the University of Virginia / Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom

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 / One of the writers of the Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

First Secretary of the Treasury / One of the writers of the Federalist Papers / Helped establish the First Bank of the United States / Aide to General George Washington / Member of the Continental Congress

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

Louisiana Territory / Louisiana

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

War of 1812 / Mexican-American War / Civil War / Spanish-American War

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

The Civil War

The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

Emancipation Proclamation / Lincoln was assassinated

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves

What U.S. war ended slavery?

The Civil War

What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject 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 / (With the) 15th Amendment / 1870

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

Susan B. Anthony

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

World War I / World War II / Korean War / Vietnam War / (Persian) Gulf War