128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version)

A complete set of vocabulary-style flashcards based on the 128 Civics Questions and Answers for the 2025 version of the naturalization test.

2025 version of the civics test

An oral test where a USCIS officer asks up to $20$ questions from a list of $128$; passing requires answering at least $12$ correctly.

65/20 Special Consideration

A provision for individuals $65$ years or older who have been lawful permanent residents for $20$ or more years, allowing them to study only $20$ specific questions and pass by answering $6$ out of $10$ correctly.

Form of government of the United States

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

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the land that forms the government, defines its powers and parts, and protects the rights of the people.

We the People

The opening words of the U.S. Constitution representing the concepts of self-government, popular sovereignty, and the social contract.

Amendments

The method by which changes are made to the U.S. Constitution; there are currently $27$ of them.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which protect the basic rights of Americans and people living in the United States.

Declaration of Independence

The document adopted on July 4, 1776, announcing that the American colonies were free from British control and identifying inherent rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Capitalism

One of the terms used to describe the economic system of the United States, also known as a free market economy.

Rule of law

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

Separation of powers

The division of government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to ensure one part does not become too powerful; also known as checks and balances.

Legislature

The legislative branch of the federal government, known as the U.S. Congress, which is responsible for writing laws, declaring war, and making the federal budget.

U.S. Senate

Part of the U.S. Congress consisting of $100$ members (two from each state) who serve $6$ year terms.

House of Representatives

Part of the U.S. Congress consisting of $435$ voting members who serve $2$ year terms to more closely follow public opinion.

Executive branch

The branch of government headed by the President of the United States, responsible for enforcing laws and commanding the military.

Twenty-second (22nd) Amendment

The amendment that limits the President of the United States to serving only two terms.

President’s Cabinet

A group of officials, including the Vice-President and various Secretaries (such as State, Treasury, and Defense), who advise the President.

Electoral College

The system used to decide who is elected president, acting as a compromise between popular election and congressional selection.

Judicial branch

The part of the government, including the Supreme Court and Federal Courts, that reviews laws, explains laws, and decides if laws go against the Constitution.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, currently composed of $9$ seats, where justices usually serve for life terms.

Tenth Amendment

The amendment stating that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

United States Citizen

A status that allows individuals to vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury.

Oath of Allegiance

A promise made by new citizens to be loyal to the United States, defend the Constitution, obey laws, and give up loyalty to other countries.

Selective Service

A requirement for all men age $18$ through $25$ to register to make the draft fair, if needed.

American Revolution

The war Americans fought to win independence from Britain, caused by issues like taxation without representation and lack of self-government.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Publius that supported and helped people understand the U.S. Constitution.

Benjamin Franklin

A famous American figure who founded the first free public libraries, served as the first Postmaster General, and was a U.S. diplomat and inventor.

George Washington

Known as the 'Father of Our Country,' he was the first president of the United States and General of the Continental Army.

Louisiana Territory

The land the United States bought from France in $1803$, which doubled the size of the country.

Civil War

The U.S. war between the North and the South (1861–1865) that ended slavery and preserved the Union.

Emancipation Proclamation

The executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed the slaves in the Confederate states.

Fourteenth Amendment

The amendment defining that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are U.S. citizens.

Nineteenth Amendment

The amendment adopted in $1920$ following World War I that gave all women the right to vote.

Great Depression

The longest economic recession in modern history, which began with the stock market crash of $1929$.

Cold War

A period of tension where the United States' main rival was the Soviet Union (USSR), and the main concern was the spread of communism.

Civil rights movement

A social movement that fought to end racial discrimination and lead to equality for all Americans.

September 11, 2001

The date of a major terrorist attack where planes were crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.

E Pluribus Unum

The nation's first motto, which means 'Out of many, one'.

Memorial Day

A national U.S. holiday held to honor soldiers who died in military service.

Veterans Day

A national U.S. holiday held to honor people who have served in the U.S. military.