2025 Civics Test

What is the form of government of the United States?

Republic

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Forms the government

The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?

Self-government

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

Amendments

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

The basic rights of Americans

How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

27

Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

It says all people are created equal.

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 and equality

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

What is the rule of law?

No one is above the law.

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

Federalist Papers

There are three branches of government. Why?

So one part does not become too powerful

Name the three branches of government.

Legislative, executive, and 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

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?

Marsha Blackburn

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

Name your U.S. representative.

Charles Fleischmann

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

Mike Johnson

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

All people of their state

Who elects U.S. senators?

Citizens of their state

Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Citizens in their district

Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Citizens of their district

Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

Because of the state's population

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?

22nd Amendment

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Donald J. 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?

The Vice President

Name one power of the president.

Signs bills into law

Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

The President

Who signs bills to become laws?

The President

Who vetoes bills?

The President

Who appoints federal judges?

The President

The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

The Cabinet

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Advises the President

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of State and Vice President

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

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

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John G. Roberts, Jr.

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Print money

Name one power that is only for the states.

Give a driver's license

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

Powers not listed belong to the states or the people.

Who is the governor of your state now?

Bill Lee

What is the capital of your state?

Nashville

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

Citizens 18 and older can vote.

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

U.S. citizens

What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?

Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

The United States

Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

Give up loyalty to other countries and obey the laws

How can people become United States citizens?

Be born here or naturalize

What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

Vote and join a political party

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

Vote

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

Required by law

It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.

Required by law

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

Freedom

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Native Americans

What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

Africans

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

The American Revolution

Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

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 Yorktown

There were 13 original states. Name five.

New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia

What founding document was written in 1787?

The Constitution

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

James Madison

Why were the Federalist Papers important?

They helped people understand the Constitution.

Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

Inventor

George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

First president of the United States

Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

Wrote the Declaration of Independence

James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

Father of the Constitution

Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

First Secretary of the Treasury

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

Louisiana Territory

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

The Civil War

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

The Civil War

The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

Battle of Gettysburg

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

Freed the slaves

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 are U.S. citizens?

14th Amendment

When did all men get the right to vote?

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 II