65/20 Civics Test Questions

2. What is the supreme law of the land? 65/20

Why: The Constitution is the highest law in the country. Any federal, state or local law that conflicts with it can be struck down by the courts. It was written in 1787 and took effect in 1789.

7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? 65/20

Why: The Constitution has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights (1791). The most recent, the 27th, took effect in 1992 and deals with pay raises for members of Congress.

12. What is the economic system of the United States? 65/20

Why: The United States has a capitalist, or free market, economy. Most businesses are privately owned, and prices are set mainly by supply and demand rather than by the government.

20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress. 65/20

Why: The Constitution gives Congress the power to make laws, declare war, collect taxes, borrow money and decide how federal money is spent. Congress also approves the federal budget.

30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? 65/20

Why: The Speaker is elected by the members of the House and runs its business. The Speaker is second in line to become President, after the Vice President. Check the USCIS test updates page for the current name before your interview.

36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years? 65/20

Why: The President is elected for a four-year term. Presidential elections take place every four years in November.

38. What is the name of the President of the United States now? 65/20

Why: The President is the head of state and head of government. You must give the name of the person serving at the time of your interview, so check the USCIS test updates page shortly before it.

39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? 65/20

Why: The Vice President is first in line to become President and also serves as President of the Senate, where they can cast a tie-breaking vote. Check the USCIS test updates page for the current name.

44. Who vetoes bills? 65/20

Why: The President can veto (reject) a bill passed by Congress. Congress can still make it law by overriding the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate — an example of checks and balances.

52. What is the highest court in the United States? 65/20

Why: The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. Its decisions are final and bind all other courts.

61. Who is the governor of your state now? 65/20

Why: Every state elects its own governor. You can find yours through your state’s official website or usa.gov. Washington, D.C. residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.

66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? 65/20

Why: The Pledge of Allegiance begins, “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands.” It is a promise of loyalty to the flag and to the country.

74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? 65/20

Why: American Indians (Native Americans) lived throughout North America for thousands of years before Europeans arrived, in hundreds of distinct nations with their own languages and governments.

78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? 65/20

Why: Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. A committee that included Benjamin Franklin and John Adams reviewed it, and the Continental Congress edited it before adopting it.

86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20

Why: George Washington commanded the Continental Army during the Revolution, presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and served as the first President from 1789 to 1797. That is why he is called the “Father of Our Country.”

94. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20

Why: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President (1861–1865), led the Union through the Civil War and preserved the United States. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation and gave the Gettysburg Address in 1863.

113. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20

Why: Martin Luther King, Jr. was a minister who led the civil rights movement using nonviolent protest. He gave his “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national holiday.

115. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? 65/20

Why: On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airplanes. Two hit the World Trade Center in New York City, one hit the Pentagon in Virginia, and one crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers fought back. Nearly 3,000 people were killed.

121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? 65/20

Why: The flag has 13 stripes, alternating red and white, for the 13 original colonies that became the first states.

126. Name three national U.S. holidays. 65/20

Why: There are 11 federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Juneteenth, added in 2021, is the newest.

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? 65/20

11. What is the economic system in the United States? 65/20

13. Name one branch or part of the government. 65/20

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? 65/20

20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? 65/20

27. In what month do we vote for President? 65/20

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now? 65/20

44. What is the capital of your state? 65/20

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States? 65/20

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? 65/20

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? 65/20

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? 65/20

70. Who was the first President? 65/20

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did? 65/20

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. 65/20

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do? 65/20

94. What is the capital of the United States? 65/20

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty? 65/20

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars? 65/20

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day? 65/20