2025 Civics Test Practice Flashcards

Practice flashcards for the 2025 version of the United States Civics Test based on the official 128 questions and answers transcript.

What is the form of government of the United States?

Republic

What is the supreme law of the land?

(U.S.) Constitution

The U.S. Constitution begins with the words “We the People.” What do these words represent?

Self-government

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

Twenty-seven ($27$)

Identify one important idea from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Equality

What is the economic system of the United States?

Capitalism

What is the “rule of law”?

Everyone must follow the law

Name the three branches of government.

Legislative, executive, and judicial.

What part of the federal government writes laws?

(U.S.) Congress

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

Senate and House (of Representatives).

How many U.S. senators are there?

One hundred ($100$)

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

Six (6) years

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

Four hundred thirty-five ($435$)

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

Two ($2$) years

Who does a U.S. senator represent?

people of their state.

The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

Four ($4$) years

Which amendment limits the President to serving only two terms?

The $22\text{nd}$ Amendment.

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

The Vice President (of the United States).

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

The President (of the United States).

What is the purpose of the President’s Cabinet?

To advise the President (of the United States).

Name two Cabinet-level positions.

Attorney General and Secretary of State

What is the highest court in the United States?

Supreme Court

How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

Nine ($9$)

How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

For life, a lifetime appointment, or until retirement.

Name one power that is only for the federal government.

Print paper money, mint coins, declare war, create an army, or make treaties.

Name one power that belongs only to the states.

Provide schooling, protection (police), safety (fire), or give a driver's license.

What does the $10\text{th}$ Amendment state?

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

Who can vote in federal elections and run for federal office?

U.S. citizens.

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

The United States or the flag.

Name one promise new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

Defend the (U.S.) Constitution, obey the laws of the U.S., or be loyal to the United States.

According to the $14\text{th}$ Amendment, what is one way to become a U.S. citizen?

Be born in the United States.

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

It is required by law (the $16\text{th}$ Amendment) to fund the federal government.

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

American Indians or Native Americans.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

(Thomas) Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July $4$, $1776$

What founding document was written in $1787$?

(U.S.) Constitution

Which group of essays supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution?

The Federalist Papers

Name one of the writers of the Federalist Papers.

(James) Madison, (Alexander) Hamilton, (John) Jay, or Publius.

What is George Washington famous for?

“Father of Our Country” or being the first President of the United States.

What territory did the United States purchase from France in $1803$?

Louisiana Territory.

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

The Civil War

What was one major accomplishment of Abraham Lincoln?

Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) or saved the Union.

When did all men get the right to vote?

After the Civil War, during Reconstruction, or with the $15\text{th}$ Amendment ($1870$).

Who was a leader of the women's rights movement in the $1800\text{s}$?

Susan B. Anthony or Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Name one war fought by the United States in the $1900\text{s}$.

World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, or (Persian) Gulf War.

What was the Great Depression?

The longest economic recession in modern history.

Why did the United States enter World War II?

Because of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Who was the main rival of the United States during the Cold War?

Soviet Union (USSR or Russia).

What was the main goal of the civil rights movement?

To end racial discrimination.

What major event occurred on September $11$, $2001$?

Terrorists attacked the United States.

Why does the American flag have $50$ stars?

Because each star represents one of the $50$ states.

What is the name of the U.S. national anthem?

The Star-Spangled Banner

What does the motto “E Pluribus Unum” mean?

Out of many, one.

Name three national U.S. holidays.

New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.