Part II: Can YOU pass the civics test to become a naturalized citizen?
Answers to Part I
As discussed last week, we are taking a moment to recognize and celebrate legal immigrants — those who came for the promise of America through the proper channels and have assimilated into our culture. They were not born here, and yet they consider themselves Americans.
The civics test is an oral test. The USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.
See answers below to the first 47 questions. We will cover the remaining questions in the upcoming weeks.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
A: Principles of American Democracy
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
2. What does the Constitution do?
sets up the government
defines the government
protects basic rights of Americans
3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
4. What is an amendment?
a change (to the Constitution)
an addition (to the Constitution)
5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
speech
religion
assembly
press
petition the government
7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
twenty-seven (27)
8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
announced our independence (from Great Britain)
declared our independence (from Great Britain)
said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life
liberty
pursuit of happiness
10. What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion or not practice a religion.
11. What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalist economy
market economy
12. What is the “rule of law”?
Everyone must follow the law.
Leaders must obey the law.
Government must obey the law.
No one is above the law.
B: System of Government
13. Name one branch or part of the government.
Congress
legislative
President
executive
the courts
judicial
14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances
separation of powers
15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
16. Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and House (of Representatives)
(U.S. or national) legislature
17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
18. How many U.S. Senators are there?
one hundred (100)
19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
six (6)
20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]
21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two (2)
23. Name your U.S. Representative.
Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.]
24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
all people of the state
25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
(because of) the state’s population
(because) they have more people
(because) some states have more people
26. We elect a President for how many years?
four (4)
27. In what month do we vote for President?
November
28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Joe Biden
29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Kamala Harris
30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Vice President
31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
the President
33. Who signs bills to become laws?
the President
34. Who vetoes bills?
the President
35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
advises the President
36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of State
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Attorney General
Vice President
37. What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
explains laws
resolves disputes (disagreements)
decides if a law goes against the Constitution
38. What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.
41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
to print money
to declare war
to create an army
to make treaties
42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
provide schooling and education
provide protection (police)
provide safety (fire departments)
give a driver’s license
approve zoning and land use
43. Who is the Governor of your state now?
Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.]
44. What is the capital of your state?
Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.]
45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Democrat and Republican
46. What is the political party of the President now?
Democrat
47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Speaker Mike Johnson
Thanks for taking the test! Stay tuned for the second half.
https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/study-for-the-test
Fantastic write and review of our responsibility as US citizens! I gained some more knowledge and a refresher! Thank you Amy for your research and truths to cling to!