Citizenship test

Introduction

• Study guide for the Naturalization Test for the U.S. citizenship application.

• Designed for those 65 years or older with 20+ years as legal permanent residents.

Structure of the Naturalization Test

• Contains 100 civics questions.

• USCIS Officer asks up to 10 questions.

• A passing score requires 6 correct answers out of 10.

• Answers may change with current officials; please verify for your interview.

A: Principles of American Democracy

Constitutional Basics

1. Supreme Law of the Land:

   • The Constitution

2. Purpose of the Constitution:

   • Sets up the government

   • Defines government functions

   • Protects basic rights of Americans

3. Self-Government Phrase:

   • "We the People"

4. What is an Amendment?

   • Change or addition to the Constitution

5. First Ten Amendments:

   • Bill of Rights

Rights and Amendments

6. First Amendment Rights: (study only marked questions)

   • Speech, Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition

7. Total Amendments in Constitution:

   • 27

B: System of Government

Government Structure

8. Declaration of Independence Purpose:

   • Announced independence from Great Britain

Rights

9. Rights in the Declaration of Independence:

   • Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness

10. Freedom of Religion:

• Right to practice any religion or none

Government Structure

11. U.S. Economic System: (study only marked questions)

• Capitalist, Market Economy

12. Rule of Law:

• Everyone must follow the law; no one is above the law

13. Branches of Government: (study only marked questions)

• Congress, President, Courts

14. Method to Prevent Power Abuse:

• Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers

15. Executive Branch Leader:

• The President

16. Who Makes Federal Laws:

• Congress (Senate and House)

17. Parts of U.S. Congress: (study only marked questions)

• Senate, House of Representatives

18. Number of U.S. Senators:

• 100

C: Rights and Responsibilities

Elections and Representation

19. Election Cycle for a Senator:

• 6 years

20. Current U.S. Senator: (study only marked questions)

• Answers vary based on state

21. Voting Members in the House:

• 435

22. Election Cycle for a Representative:

• 2 years

23. Current U.S. Representative: (answers vary based on location)

24. U.S. Senator Representation:

• Represents all people of the state

25. Reps Per State Reasons:

• Based on state's population.

26. Election Cycle for President:

• 4 years

27. Presidential Election Month: (study only marked questions)

• November

28. Current President: (study only marked questions)

• Check current resources.

29. Current Vice President:

• Check current resources.

30. If President Unable to Serve:

• Vice President takes over.

31. Next in Line of Succession:

• Speaker of the House.

32. Military Commander in Chief:

• The President

33. Law Signing Authority:

• The President

34. Veto Authority:

• The President

Cabinet and Judicial Branch

35. Cabinet Role:

• Advises the President

36. Cabinet-Level Positions:

• Multiple positions including Secretaries for various departments

37. Judicial Branch Functions:

• Reviews and explains laws; resolves disputes; checks constitutionality

38. Highest Court:

• The Supreme Court

39. Number of Justices:

• Check current resources.

40. Current Chief Justice:

• Check current resources.

41. Federal Government Powers:

• Print money, declare war, create an army, make treaties

42. State Powers:

• Education, protection, safety, driver’s licenses, zoning

D: Geography & Symbols

States and Geographical Features

43. Current State Governor: (varies)

44. State Capital: (varies)

45. Major Political Parties: (marked only)

• Democratic and Republican

46. Political Party of President:

• Check current resources.

47. Current Speaker of the House:

• Check current resources.

E: Voting and Civic Responsibilities

Civic Duties

48. Voting Amendments:

• Discuss responsibilities and who can vote

49. Citizen’s Responsibilities: (study only marked questions)

• Serve on a jury, vote in federal elections

50. Citizen Rights:

• Vote in federal elections, run for federal office

51. Rights for All U.S. Residents:

• Freedom of expression, speech, assembly, etc.

52. Pledge of Allegiance Loyalty:

• United States and its flag

53. Citizen’s Promise Upon Naturalization:

• Abandon loyalty to other nations; uphold the Constitution and laws; potential military service.

F: American History

Colonial America to Revolution

54. Voting Age for President: (marked only)

• 18 years and older

55. American Democratic Participation:

• Overview of ways to participate in democracy

56. Deadline for Tax Forms: (marked only)

• April 15

57. Selective Service Registration:

• At age 18, needs to register until age 26

58. Reasons Colonists Came to America:

• Freedom, opportunities, escape from persecution

59. Indigenous Peoples Pre-European Arrival:

• American Indians, Native Americans

60. Group Sold into Slavery:

• Africans

Key Historical Documents and Events

61. Colonist Rebellion Reasons:

• High taxes, self-governance dreams, quartering British troops

62. Declaration Author:

• Thomas Jefferson

63. Declaration Adoption Date:

• July 4, 1776

64. Original States Examples:

• New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island… etc.

65. Constitutional Convention Outcome:

• Constitution was drafted.

66. Constitution Writing Year:

• 1787

67. Federalist Papers Writer:

• James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

68. Benjamin Franklin's Notability:

• Key contributions to the U.S., e.g., first postmaster

69. "Father of Our Country":

• George Washington

70. First U.S. President: (marked only)

• George Washington

1800s Events and Movements

71. Territory Bought from France:

• Louisiana Territory acquired in 1803

72. Famous Wars in the 1800s:

• War of 1812, Civil War, Mexican-American War

73. North vs. South War:

• The Civil War

74. Causes of Civil War:

• Slavery, economic struggles, rights of states

75. Abraham Lincoln's Accomplishments: (marked only)

• Emancipation Proclamation, preserving the Union

76. Emancipation Proclamation Impact:

• Freed slaves in the Southern states

77. Susan B. Anthony's Efforts:

• Advocacy for women's rights

G: Recent History and Significant Events

78. Wars in the 1900s: (marked only)

• Examples include World War I, World War II

79. WWI President:

• Woodrow Wilson

80. President during Depression & WWII:

• Franklin Roosevelt

21st Century Events

81. WWII Opponents:

• Japan, Germany, and Italy

82. Eisenhower's Background:

• General during WWII

83. Cold War Concerns:

• Communism

84. Civil Rights Movement Aim:

• End racial discrimination

85. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Role: (marked only)

• Advocate for civil rights

86. September 11 Events:

• Terrorist attacks on the U.S.

87. Native American Tribes Examples:

• Cherokee, Sioux, Navajo… etc.

H: Geography and Symbols

U.S. Geography

88. Longest U.S. Rivers:

• Missouri and Mississippi

89. West Coast Ocean:

• Pacific Ocean

90. East Coast Ocean:

• Atlantic Ocean

91. U.S. Territories Examples:

• Puerto Rico, Guam

92. U.S. States Bordering Canada:

• Maine, New York, etc.

93. U.S. States Bordering Mexico:

• California, Arizona, etc.

94. Capital of the U.S.: (marked only)

• Washington, D.C.

95. Location of Statue of Liberty: (study only marked questions)

• New York Harbor, Liberty Island

Symbols and Holidays

96. Reasons for 13 Stripes on Flag:

• Represent original colonies

97. Meaning of 50 Stars on Flag: (marked only)

• One for each state

98. National Anthem:

• The Star-Spangled Banner

99. Independence Day Celebration: (marked only)

• July 4

100. National U.S. Holidays Examples:

• New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.