2026 US Citizenship Civics Exam

What is the form of the government of the United States?

• Republic

• Constitution-based federal republic

• Representative democracy

What is the supreme law of the land?

• (US) Constitution

Name one thing the US Constitution does

• Forms the government

• Defines powers of government

• Defines the parts of government

• Protects the rights of the people

The US 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

• Social contract

How are changes made to the US 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 US

How many amendments does the US Constitution have?

Twenty seven (27)

Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

• announced our independence from Great Britain

What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

The Declaration of Independence

Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution

• Equality

• Liberty

• Social contract

• Natural rights

• Limited government

• Self-government

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

The Declaration of Independence

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

• life

• liberty

• pursuit of happiness

What is the economic system of the United States?

Capitalism

Free Market Economy

What is the rule of law?

• No one is above the law

• Everyone must follow the law

• Leaders must obey the law

• Government must obey the law

Many documents influenced the US Constitution. Name one.

• Declaration of Independence

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

• Iroquois Great Law of Peace

There are three branches of government. Why?

• So one part does not become too powerful

• Checks and balances

• Separation of powers

Name 3 branches of government

Legislative, executive, and judicial

The POTUS is in charge of which branch of government?

Executive branch

What part of the federal government writes laws?

• Congress

• Legislature

• Legislative branch

What are the two parts of the US Congress

Senate and House of Representatives

Name one power of the US Congress

• Writes laws

• Declares war

• Makes the federal budget

How many US Senators are there?

100

How long is a term for a US senator?

Six years

Who is one of your state’s US senators now?

• Alex Padilla

• Adam Schiff

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

435

How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

Two years

Why do US Representatives serve shorter terms than US Senators?

To more closely follow public opinion

How many senators does each state have?

Two

Why does each state have two senators?

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Name your US Representative

Josh Harder