Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the government “Forms the government” is an accepted answer. The Constitution sets up the government, defines its powers and parts, and protects the rights of the people. Writing laws, making the budget and declaring war are powers of Congress.
Which website does the USCIS study guide name for finding your state’s U.S. senators?
senate.gov The study guide says to visit senate.gov to find the names of your U.S. senators. The answer depends on the state where you live. Check again shortly before your interview, because elections can change it.
When the President appoints federal judges, which part of the government is being checked?
The federal courts Appointing federal judges is a way the executive branch checks the federal courts, the judicial branch. The President decides who sits on those courts. The Senate, part of the legislative branch, then approves or rejects the choice.
Congress passes a new law that many people dislike. When can a federal court decide if this law goes against the Constitution?
When someone brings a real case to court A court can decide about a law only when a real legal case comes before it. Courts do not go looking for laws to check. A person who thinks a law breaks the Constitution can bring a case to a federal court.
Ravi has a Green Card and works in Ohio. A friend says only citizens pay federal taxes. Which official answer shows the friend is wrong?
All people pay to fund the federal government The official answer is “All people pay to fund the federal government.” Everyone living in the United States must follow the tax law, including permanent residents like Ravi. So the friend is wrong.
Which of these is another accepted name for the war Americans fought to win independence from Britain?
War for Independence The official list accepts three names for the war against Britain: American Revolution, the (American) Revolutionary War, and War for (American) Independence. The words in brackets are optional. “War between the States” is another name for the Civil War.
Alexander Hamilton was a member of the Continental Congress. What was the Continental Congress?
Leaders from all the colonies who led during the war The Continental Congress was a group of leaders from all the colonies. Together, they led the country during the Revolutionary War. “Member of the Continental Congress” is an accepted answer about Hamilton.
Which of these wars of the 1800s came last?
Spanish-American War The Spanish-American War was fought in 1898, near the end of the 1800s. The order is the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War in 1846, the Civil War in 1861 and the Spanish-American War in 1898. All four are accepted answers to the official question.
World War I started in Europe in 1914. When did the United States join the war?
1917 The United States stayed out of World War I at first. It joined in 1917, after German attacks on U.S. ships. The war ended on November 11, 1918.
When did the Cold War end?
In 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed The Cold War ended in 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed. Collapsed means it broke apart and stopped existing as one country. The Cold War had started after World War II ended in 1945.
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States. The federal government has worked there since 1800. Say the full name, with “D.C.,” so the officer knows you do not mean the state.
You write the first dictated sentence so the officer understands it. What happens next?
You pass the writing test You pass the writing test when you write 1 of up to 3 sentences so the officer understands it. Once you do, the writing test is over. The officer gives more sentences only if you need another try.
Maria filed Form N-400 in August 2025. Her interview is in February 2026. Which civics test does she take?
The 2008 test, because of her filing date The filing date decides the version, not the interview date. Maria filed before October 20, 2025, so she takes the 2008 civics test.
What does “checks and balances” mean?
Each branch can limit the others Checks and balances means each branch can limit the other branches. Separation of powers is a related idea: each branch has its own job. Both are accepted answers for why there are three branches.
How often does the government count the people in each state to decide House seats?
Every 10 years The census counts everyone in each state every 10 years. The results decide how many representatives each state gets. This is why population explains House seats.
Three of these official questions have the same answer. Which question has a different answer?
Who elects U.S. senators? The answer to “Who elects U.S. senators?” is “Citizens from their state.” The other three questions have the same answer: the President. Grouping questions by answer makes them easier to remember.
Your town has rules that say where homes, stores and factories may be built. Which state power is this?
Approve zoning and land use Rules about how land may be used are called zoning. “Approve zoning and land use” is a power of the states. It is an accepted answer on both the 2025 and 2008 lists.
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Makes the draft fair The accepted answer is “Makes the draft fair, if needed.” The other accepted answers are “Required by law” and “Civic duty.” If a draft were ever needed, men would be chosen from one full list, so everyone would be treated the same way.
On the 2025 test, the officer asks you to name the original states. You say New York, New Jersey and Virginia, then stop. What is true?
You need to name two more states The 2025 question asks you to name five original states. Three is the number for the 2008 test. You can name any five, in any order.
In 1803, Jefferson’s government bought the Louisiana Territory from France. Which accepted answer about Jefferson does this match?
Doubled the size of the United States The Louisiana Purchase was a huge piece of land, and it doubled the size of the country. The official answer is “Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase).” Jefferson was the third president when it happened.
United States · Citizenship test