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Civics (History and Government) Items for the Redesigned Naturalization Test
Beginning October 1, 2008, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin implementation of a redesigned naturalization test. All applicants who file for naturalization on or after October 1, 2008 will be required to take the redesigned test. For those applicants who file prior to October 1, 2008 but are not interviewed until after
October 1, 2008 (but before October 1, 2009), there will be an option of taking the redesigned test or the current one.
Civics (history and government) items from the redesigned naturalization test are found below. Some of the items have more than one possible answer listed. Although we hope that applicants will learn all the content, applicants will only be required to give one answer from the list unless the question asks for more than one. An example of a question that requires more than one of the listed answers is item 36. It asks, "What are two Cabinet-level positions?" In this example, applicants would be required to tell the adjudicator any two of the listed possible responses.
Applicants for naturalization taking the redesigned test should note that USCIS is aware that the 100 items sometimes have answers that are not listed here.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
A: Principles of American Democracy
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
▪ the Constitution
the Constitution
2. What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government
sets up the government
▪ defines the government
defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans
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
We the People
4. What is an amendment?
▪ a change (to the Constitution)
a change (to the Constitution)
▪ an addition (to the Constitution)
an addition (to the Constitution)
5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
▪ the Bill of Rights
the Bill of Rights
6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
▪ speech
speech
▪ religion
religion
▪ assembly
assembly
▪ press
press
▪ petition the government- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
petition the government- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
▪ twenty-seven (27)
twenty-seven (27)
8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain)
announced our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)
declared our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life
life
▪ liberty
liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness
pursuit of happiness
10. What is freedom of religion?
▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
11. What is the economic system in the United States?*
▪ capitalist economy
capitalist economy
▪ market economy
market economy
12. What is the "rule of law"?
▪ Everyone must follow the law.
Everyone must follow the law.
▪ Leaders must obey the law.
Leaders must obey the law.
▪ Government must obey the law.
Government must obey the law.
▪ No one is above the law.
No one is above the law.
B: System of Government
13. Name one branch or part of the government.*
▪ Congress
Congress
▪ legislative
legislative
▪ President
President
▪ executive
executive
▪ the courts
the courts
▪ judicial
judicial
14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ checks and balances
checks and balances
▪ separation of powers
separation of powers
15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
▪ the President
the President
16. Who makes federal laws?
▪ Congress
Congress
▪ Senate and House (of Representatives)
Senate and House (of Representatives)
▪ (U.S. or national) legislature
(U.S. or national) legislature
17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives)- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
the Senate and House (of Representatives)- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
18. How many U.S. Senators are there?
▪ one hundred (100)
one hundred (100)
19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
▪ six (6)
six (6)
20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators?*
Answers will vary. [For District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories, the answer is 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)
four hundred thirty-five (435)
22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
▪ two (2)
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.]
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
all people of the state
25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
▪ (because of) the state’s population
(because of) the state’s population
▪ (because) they have more people
(because) they have more people
▪ (because) some states have more people
(because) some states have more people
26. We elect a President for how many years?
▪ four (4)
four (4)
27. In what month do we vote for President?*
▪ November
November
28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
▪ George W. Bush
George W. Bush
▪ George Bush
George Bush
▪ Bush
Bush
29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
▪ Richard Cheney
Richard Cheney
▪ Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
▪ Cheney
Cheney
30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
▪ the Vice 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
the Speaker of the House
32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
▪ the President- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
the President- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
33. Who signs bills to become laws?
▪ the President
the President
34. Who vetoes bills?
▪ the President
the President
35. What does the President’s Cabinet do?
▪ advises the President
advises the President
36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
▪ Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of Interior
Secretary of Interior
▪ Secretary of State
Secretary of State
▪ Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of Treasury
Secretary of Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs
Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs
▪ Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Labor
▪ Attorney General
Attorney General
37. What does the judicial branch do?
▪ reviews laws
reviews laws
▪ explains laws
explains laws
▪ resolves disputes (disagreements)
resolves disputes (disagreements)
▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
decides if a law goes against the Constitution
38. What is the highest court in the United States?
▪ the Supreme Court
the Supreme Court
39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
▪ nine (9)
nine (9)
40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States?
▪ John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)
John Roberts (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 print money
▪ to declare war
to declare war
▪ to create an army
to create an army
▪ to make treaties- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
to make treaties- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
▪ provide schooling and education
provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license
give a driver’s license
▪ approve zoning and land use
approve zoning and land use
43. Who is the Governor of your state?
▪ Answers will vary. [Residents of the District of Columbia and U.S. territories without a Governor should say "we don’t have a Governor."]
Answers will vary. [Residents of the District of Columbia and U.S. territories without a Governor should say "we don’t 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.]
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?*
▪ Democratic and Republican
Democratic and Republican
46. What is the political party of the President now?
▪ Republican (Party)
Republican (Party)
47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
▪ (Nancy) Pelosi
(Nancy) Pelosi
C: Rights and Responsibilities
48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
▪ Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
▪ A male citizen of any race (can vote).
A male citizen of any race (can vote).
49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
▪ serve on a jury
serve on a jury
▪ vote
vote
50. What are two rights only for United States citizens?
▪ apply for a federal job
apply for a federal job
▪ vote
vote
▪ run for office
run for office
▪ carry a U.S. passport
carry a U.S. passport
51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
▪ freedom of expression
freedom of expression
▪ freedom of speech
freedom of speech
▪ freedom of assembly
freedom of assembly
▪ freedom to petition the government
freedom to petition the government
▪ freedom of worship
freedom of worship
▪ the right to bear arms- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
the right to bear arms- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
▪ the United States
the United States
▪ the flag
the flag
53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
▪ give up loyalty to other countries
give up loyalty to other countries
▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
▪ obey the laws of the United States
obey the laws of the United States
▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
▪ be loyal to the United States
be loyal to the United States
54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
▪ eighteen (18) and older
eighteen (18) and older
55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote
vote
▪ join a political party
join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
join a civic group
▪ join a community group
join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
run for office
▪ write to a newspaper
write to a newspaper
56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
▪ April 15
April 15
57. When must all men register for the Selective Service?
▪ at age eighteen (18)
at age eighteen (18)
▪ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
AMERICAN HISTORY
A: Colonial Period and Independence
58. What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom
freedom
▪ political liberty
political liberty
▪ religious freedom
religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion
practice their religion
▪ escape persecution- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
escape persecution- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
▪ Native Americans
Native Americans
▪ American Indians
American Indians
60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
▪ Africans
Africans
▪ people from Africa
people from Africa
61. Why did the colonists fight the British?
▪ because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
▪ because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
▪ because they didn’t have self-government
because they didn’t have self-government
62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
▪ (Thomas) Jefferson
(Thomas) Jefferson
63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
▪ July 4, 1776
July 4, 1776
64. There were 13 original states. Name three.
▪ New Hampshire
New Hampshire
▪ Massachusetts
Massachusetts
▪ Rhode Island
Rhode Island
▪ Connecticut
Connecticut
▪ New York
New York
▪ New Jersey
New Jersey
▪ Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
▪ Delaware
Delaware
▪ Maryland
Maryland
▪ Virginia
Virginia
▪ North Carolina
North Carolina
▪ South Carolina
South Carolina
▪ Georgia
Georgia
65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
▪ The Constitution was written.
The Constitution was written.
▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
66. When was the Constitution written?
▪ 1787
1787
67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
▪ (James) Madison
(James) Madison
▪ (Alexander) Hamilton
(Alexander) Hamilton
▪ (John) Jay
(John) Jay
▪ Publius- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
Publius- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
▪ U.S. diplomat
U.S. diplomat
▪ oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
▪ first Postmaster General of the United States
first Postmaster General of the United States
▪ writer of "Poor Richard’s Almanac"
writer of "Poor Richard’s Almanac"
▪ started the first free libraries
started the first free libraries
69. Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
▪ (George) Washington
(George) Washington
70. Who was the first President?*
▪ (George) Washington
(George) Washington
B: 1800s
71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
▪ the Louisiana Territory
the Louisiana Territory
▪ Louisiana
Louisiana
72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
▪ War of 1812
War of 1812
▪ Mexican-American War
Mexican-American War
▪ Civil War
Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War
the Civil War
▪ the War between the States
the War between the States
74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
slavery
▪ economic reasons
economic reasons
▪ states’ rights
states’ rights
75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
▪ saved (or preserved) the Union
saved (or preserved) the Union
▪ led the United States during the Civil War
led the United States during the Civil War
76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves
freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states
freed slaves in the Confederate states
▪ freed slaves in most Southern states
freed slaves in most Southern states
77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women’s rights
fought for women’s rights
▪ fought for civil rights- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
fought for civil rights- - * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. www.uscis.gov
C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information
78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*
▪ World War I
World War I
▪ World War II
World War II
▪ Korean War
Korean War
▪ Vietnam War
Vietnam War
▪ (Persian) Gulf War
(Persian) Gulf War
79. Who was President during World War I?
▪ (Woodrow) Wilson
(Woodrow) Wilson
80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
▪ (Franklin) Roosevelt
(Franklin) Roosevelt
81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?
▪ Japan, Germany, and Italy
Japan, Germany, and Italy
82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
▪ World War II
World War II
83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
▪ Communism
Communism
84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
▪ civil rights (movement)
civil rights (movement)
85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
▪ fought for civil rights
fought for civil rights
▪ worked for equality for all Americans
worked for equality for all Americans
86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
▪ Terrorists attacked the United States.
Terrorists attacked the United States.
87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
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