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All 100 US Citizenship Test questions and answers

Every question in the bank, with the correct answer marked and a short explanation underneath. Read it straight through, then go back and take the timed tests to check what stuck.

US Citizenship Practice Test 1: Principles of American Democracy

Principles of American Democracy

1.What is the supreme law of the land?

  • The Declaration of Independence
  • The ConstitutionCorrect
  • The Bill of Rights
  • The Emancipation Proclamation

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Every other law in the United States must agree with it.

2.What does the Constitution do?

  • It declares independence from Great Britain
  • It sets up the government, defines the government and protects basic rights of AmericansCorrect
  • It ends slavery in every state
  • It creates the United Nations

The Constitution sets up the government, defines how it works, and protects the 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 PeopleCorrect
  • Life and liberty
  • In God we trust
  • Of the people

The Constitution opens with the words We the People, which express the idea that government power comes from the people.

4.What is an amendment?

  • A court ruling
  • A change or addition to the ConstitutionCorrect
  • A presidential order
  • A tax law

An amendment is a change or an addition to the Constitution.

5.What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

  • The Articles of Confederation
  • The Federalist Papers
  • The Bill of RightsCorrect
  • The Preamble

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights.

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

  • The right to a jury trial
  • The right to bear arms
  • Freedom of speechCorrect
  • The right to vote at eighteen

The First Amendment protects speech, religion, assembly, the press and the right to petition the government.

7.How many amendments does the Constitution have?

  • Ten
  • Twenty sevenCorrect
  • Fifty
  • Thirteen

The Constitution has twenty seven amendments. The first ten of those are the Bill of Rights.

8.What did the Declaration of Independence do?

  • It announced our independence from Great BritainCorrect
  • It created the Supreme Court
  • It freed the slaves
  • It set up the two houses of Congress

The Declaration of Independence announced that the American colonies were independent from Great Britain.

9.What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

  • Life and libertyCorrect
  • Speech and assembly
  • Voting and jury service
  • Property and privacy

The Declaration of Independence names life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Any two of those three are accepted.

10.What is freedom of religion?

  • You must belong to a recognised church
  • You can practise any religion, or not practise a religionCorrect
  • Only Christian worship is protected
  • Religion may not be discussed in public

Freedom of religion means you can practise any religion you choose, or choose to practise no religion at all.

Take test 1 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 2: Congress and the Legislative Branch

System of Government: Congress and the legislative branch

11.What is the economic system in the United States?

  • A command economy
  • A capitalist or market economyCorrect
  • A barter economy
  • A planned economy

The United States has a capitalist economy, also accepted as a market economy.

12.What is the rule of law?

  • Only the government must follow the law
  • Everyone must follow the lawCorrect
  • The President decides which laws apply
  • Laws apply only to citizens

The rule of law means everyone must follow the law, including leaders and the government itself.

13.Name one branch or part of the government.

  • The Cabinet
  • The Federal Reserve
  • CongressCorrect
  • The armed forces

The three branches are Congress, which is the legislative branch, the President, who is the executive branch, and the courts, which are the judicial branch.

14.What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

  • Checks and balancesCorrect
  • The Bill of Rights
  • The Electoral College
  • The Cabinet

Checks and balances, also called the separation of powers, stop any one branch from becoming too powerful.

15.Who makes federal laws?

  • The Supreme Court
  • CongressCorrect
  • The President alone
  • State governors

Congress makes federal laws. Congress is also called the legislature or the United States or national legislature.

16.What are the two parts of the United States Congress?

  • The Cabinet and the Senate
  • The Senate and the House of RepresentativesCorrect
  • The House and the Supreme Court
  • The federal and state assemblies

Congress has two parts, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

17.How many United States Senators are there?

  • Fifty
  • One hundredCorrect
  • Four hundred and thirty five
  • Two hundred

There are one hundred senators, two from each of the fifty states.

18.We elect a United States Senator for how many years?

  • Two
  • Four
  • SixCorrect
  • Eight

Senators serve six year terms.

19.The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

  • One hundred
  • Two hundred and fifty
  • Four hundred and thirty fiveCorrect
  • Five hundred and thirty eight

The House of Representatives has four hundred and thirty five voting members.

20.Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

  • Because of the state's populationCorrect
  • Because of the state's land area
  • Because of how long the state has existed
  • Because of the state's tax revenue

The number of representatives is based on the state's population, so larger states have more.

Take test 2 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 3: The President and the Executive Branch

System of Government: the President and the executive branch

21.We elect a United States Representative for how many years?

  • TwoCorrect
  • Four
  • Six
  • Eight

Representatives serve two year terms, so the whole House is elected every two years.

22.Who does a United States Senator represent?

  • Only the people who voted for them
  • All people of the stateCorrect
  • Only their political party
  • Only their home city

A senator represents all the people of the state, not only those who voted for them.

23.We elect a President for how many years?

  • Two
  • FourCorrect
  • Six
  • Eight

A President is elected for a four year term.

24.In what month do we vote for President?

  • January
  • July
  • NovemberCorrect
  • December

Presidential elections are held in November.

25.If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

  • The Speaker of the House
  • The Vice PresidentCorrect
  • The Secretary of State
  • The Chief Justice

The Vice President becomes President if the President can no longer serve.

26.If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

  • The Chief Justice
  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The Speaker of the HouseCorrect
  • The Senate Majority Leader

The Speaker of the House is next in line after the Vice President.

27.Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The PresidentCorrect
  • The most senior general
  • The Speaker of the House

The President is the Commander in Chief of the military.

28.Who signs bills to become laws?

  • The Chief Justice
  • The Vice President
  • The PresidentCorrect
  • The Speaker of the House

The President signs bills into law.

29.Who vetoes bills?

  • The PresidentCorrect
  • The Supreme Court
  • The Senate
  • State governors

The President vetoes bills, which means refusing to sign them into law.

30.What does the President's Cabinet do?

  • It writes the federal budget
  • It advises the PresidentCorrect
  • It confirms judges
  • It commands the armed forces

The Cabinet advises the President. Cabinet level positions include the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense.

Take test 3 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 4: Courts, Federalism and Political Parties

System of Government: the courts, federalism and political parties

31.What does the judicial branch do?

  • It writes new laws
  • It reviews laws and decides if a law goes against the ConstitutionCorrect
  • It collects federal taxes
  • It commands the military

The judicial branch reviews and explains laws, resolves disputes, and decides whether a law goes against the Constitution.

32.What is the highest court in the United States?

  • The Court of Appeals
  • The Federal District Court
  • The Supreme CourtCorrect
  • The Constitutional Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.

33.How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

  • Seven
  • NineCorrect
  • Eleven
  • Thirteen

There are nine justices on the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice.

34.Under our Constitution, what is one power of the federal government?

  • To issue driver licences
  • To provide schooling and education
  • To print money and declare warCorrect
  • To approve local zoning

Federal powers include printing money, declaring war, creating an army and making treaties.

35.Under our Constitution, what is one power of the states?

  • To declare war
  • To provide schooling, police and fire servicesCorrect
  • To print money
  • To make treaties with other countries

State powers include providing schooling and education, police protection, fire safety, driver licences and zoning approval.

36.What are the two major political parties in the United States?

  • Democratic and RepublicanCorrect
  • Labour and Conservative
  • Federalist and Whig
  • Liberal and Progressive

The two major political parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

37.There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Which statement describes one of them?

  • Only property owners may vote
  • Citizens eighteen and older can voteCorrect
  • Only men may vote
  • You must pay a poll tax to vote

The voting amendments established that citizens eighteen and older can vote, that no poll tax is required, that women can vote, and that a male citizen of any race can vote.

38.What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

  • Paying income tax
  • Obeying the law
  • Serving on a juryCorrect
  • Respecting the flag

Serving on a jury and voting in a federal election are responsibilities reserved for citizens.

39.Name one right only for United States citizens.

  • Freedom of speech
  • Freedom of religion
  • Voting in a federal electionCorrect
  • The right to a fair trial

Voting in a federal election and running for federal office are rights reserved for citizens.

40.What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

  • Freedom of speech and freedom of religionCorrect
  • Voting and running for federal office
  • Jury service and a US passport
  • Federal employment and voting

Rights that apply to everyone living in the United States include freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition and religion, and the right to bear arms.

Take test 4 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 5: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

41.What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

  • The President
  • The flag and the United StatesCorrect
  • Congress
  • Our home state

The Pledge of Allegiance shows loyalty to the United States and to the flag.

42.What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

  • To join a political party
  • To give up loyalty to other countries and defend the ConstitutionCorrect
  • To live in the United States for life
  • To learn a second language

The Oath includes giving up loyalty to other countries, defending the Constitution and laws of the United States, obeying the laws, and serving the nation if required.

43.How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

  • Sixteen
  • EighteenCorrect
  • Twenty one
  • Twenty five

Citizens must be eighteen or older to vote.

44.What is one way Americans can participate in their democracy?

  • VoteCorrect
  • Pay sales tax
  • Own property
  • Attend a place of worship

Ways to participate include voting, joining a political party, helping with a campaign, joining a civic group, contacting elected officials and running for office.

45.When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

  • The first of January
  • The fifteenth of AprilCorrect
  • The fourth of July
  • The thirty first of December

Federal income tax forms are due by the fifteenth of April.

46.When must all men register for the Selective Service?

  • At age sixteen
  • At age eighteenCorrect
  • At age twenty one
  • Only during wartime

All men must register for the Selective Service at age eighteen, and registration applies between eighteen and twenty six.

47.What is one reason colonists came to America?

  • To escape a famine in Asia
  • For religious freedom and economic opportunityCorrect
  • To join the British army
  • To trade with Native American nations only

Colonists came for freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity and to escape persecution.

48.Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

  • Native AmericansCorrect
  • The Vikings only
  • Spanish settlers
  • Nobody

Native Americans, also called American Indians, lived in America before Europeans arrived.

49.What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

  • People from AfricaCorrect
  • People from Ireland
  • People from China
  • People from Scandinavia

Africans were taken to America and sold as slaves.

50.Why did the colonists fight the British?

  • Because of high taxes and no self-governmentCorrect
  • Because of a religious war in Europe
  • Because Britain abolished slavery
  • Because of a dispute over Canada

The colonists fought because of high taxes without representation, because British soldiers were quartered in their houses, and because they did not have self-government.

Take test 5 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 6: Colonial Period and Independence

Colonial Period and Independence

51.Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

  • George Washington
  • Thomas JeffersonCorrect
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • John Adams

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

52.When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

  • The fourth of July, 1776Correct
  • The seventeenth of September, 1787
  • The first of January, 1863
  • The fourth of March, 1789

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on the fourth of July, 1776.

53.There were thirteen original states. Which of these was one of them?

  • Ohio
  • VirginiaCorrect
  • Florida
  • Texas

The thirteen original states were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

54.What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

  • The Constitution was writtenCorrect
  • The Civil War ended
  • Slavery was abolished
  • The Louisiana Territory was bought

The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention.

55.When was the Constitution written?

  • 1776
  • 1787Correct
  • 1791
  • 1812

The Constitution was written in 1787.

56.The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the Constitution. Name one of the writers.

  • Thomas Jefferson
  • George Washington
  • James MadisonCorrect
  • Patrick Henry

The Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, who used the pen name Publius.

57.What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

  • He was the first President
  • He was the first Postmaster General of the United StatesCorrect
  • He wrote the Declaration of Independence
  • He led the Union army

Franklin was a United States diplomat, the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, the first Postmaster General, the writer of Poor Richard's Almanac, and he started the first free libraries.

58.Who is the Father of Our Country?

  • Thomas Jefferson
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • George WashingtonCorrect
  • John Adams

George Washington is called the Father of Our Country.

59.Who was the first President?

  • John Adams
  • George WashingtonCorrect
  • Thomas Jefferson
  • James Madison

George Washington was the first President of the United States.

60.What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

  • Alaska
  • Florida
  • The Louisiana TerritoryCorrect
  • Texas

The United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.

Take test 6 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 7: The 1800s and the Civil War

The 1800s: expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction

61.Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

  • World War I
  • The Civil WarCorrect
  • The Korean War
  • The Vietnam War

Wars fought in the eighteen hundreds include the War of 1812, the Mexican American War, the Civil War and the Spanish American War.

62.Name the United States war between the North and the South.

  • The Revolutionary War
  • The War of 1812
  • The Civil WarCorrect
  • The Spanish American War

The war between the North and the South was the Civil War, also called the War between the States.

63.Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

  • SlaveryCorrect
  • Immigration
  • Prohibition
  • Taxation by Britain

Problems that led to the Civil War included slavery, economic reasons and states' rights.

64.What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

  • He wrote the Constitution
  • He freed the slavesCorrect
  • He bought the Louisiana Territory
  • He led the country during World War I

Lincoln freed the slaves through the Emancipation Proclamation, saved the Union and led the United States during the Civil War.

65.What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

  • It ended the Civil War
  • It freed the slavesCorrect
  • It gave women the vote
  • It created the Supreme Court

The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in the Confederate states.

66.What did Susan B. Anthony do?

  • She fought for women's rightsCorrect
  • She led the Union army
  • She founded the Republican Party
  • She wrote the Bill of Rights

Susan B. Anthony fought for women's rights and for civil rights.

67.Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

  • The Civil War
  • The War of 1812
  • World War IICorrect
  • The Revolutionary War

Wars fought in the nineteen hundreds include World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.

68.Who was President during World War I?

  • Franklin Roosevelt
  • Woodrow WilsonCorrect
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Harry Truman

Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I.

69.Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

  • Woodrow Wilson
  • Herbert Hoover
  • Franklin RooseveltCorrect
  • Dwight Eisenhower

Franklin Roosevelt was President during the Great Depression and World War II.

70.Who did the United States fight in World War II?

  • Japan, Germany and ItalyCorrect
  • Russia, China and Korea
  • Britain, France and Spain
  • Mexico, Cuba and Brazil

The United States fought Japan, Germany and Italy in World War II.

Take test 7 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 8: Recent American History

Recent American History and the twentieth century

71.Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

  • World War I
  • World War IICorrect
  • The Korean War
  • The Civil War

Dwight Eisenhower was a general in World War II.

72.During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

  • CommunismCorrect
  • Inflation
  • Immigration
  • Climate change

The main concern of the United States during the Cold War was communism.

73.What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

  • The temperance movement
  • The civil rights movementCorrect
  • The labour movement
  • The suffrage movement

The civil rights movement worked to end racial discrimination.

74.What did Martin Luther King Jr. do?

  • He fought for civil rightsCorrect
  • He was the first black President
  • He led the Union army
  • He founded the NAACP

Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights and worked for equality for all Americans.

75.What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?

  • A stock market crash
  • Terrorists attacked the United StatesCorrect
  • A presidential election was decided
  • A major earthquake struck California

On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the United States.

76.Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

  • CherokeeCorrect
  • Aztec
  • Maya
  • Inca

Recognised answers include Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw, Pueblo, Apache, Iroquois, Creek, Seminole, Cheyenne, Hopi and Inuit, among others.

77.Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

  • The Colorado
  • The MississippiCorrect
  • The Hudson
  • The Rio Grande

The two longest rivers are the Missouri and the Mississippi.

78.What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

  • The Atlantic Ocean
  • The Pacific OceanCorrect
  • The Arctic Ocean
  • The Indian Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is on the West Coast.

79.What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

  • The Pacific Ocean
  • The Atlantic OceanCorrect
  • The Arctic Ocean
  • The Southern Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is on the East Coast.

80.Name one United States territory.

  • Puerto RicoCorrect
  • Cuba
  • Bermuda
  • Jamaica

United States territories are Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

Take test 8 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 9: American Geography and Borders

American Geography, Rivers, Borders and States

81.Name one state that borders Canada.

  • Texas
  • MichiganCorrect
  • Nevada
  • Kansas

States bordering Canada include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alaska.

82.Name one state that borders Mexico.

  • Louisiana
  • Colorado
  • ArizonaCorrect
  • Oklahoma

The four states bordering Mexico are California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

83.What is the capital of the United States?

  • New York City
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington, D.C.Correct
  • Boston

The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C.

84.Where is the Statue of Liberty?

  • Boston Harbor
  • New York HarborCorrect
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • San Francisco Bay

The Statue of Liberty stands in New York Harbor, on Liberty Island. Answers naming New Jersey, near New York City, or on the Hudson River are also accepted.

85.Why does the flag have thirteen stripes?

  • Because there were thirteen original coloniesCorrect
  • Because there were thirteen Presidents
  • Because of the thirteenth amendment
  • Because of thirteen founding families

The thirteen stripes represent the thirteen original colonies.

86.Why does the flag have fifty stars?

  • One star for each stateCorrect
  • One star for each signer of the Constitution
  • One star for each amendment
  • One star for each decade of independence

There is one star for each of the fifty states.

87.What is the name of the national anthem?

  • America the Beautiful
  • The Star-Spangled BannerCorrect
  • God Bless America
  • My Country, 'Tis of Thee

The national anthem is The Star-Spangled Banner.

88.When do we celebrate Independence Day?

  • The first of July
  • The fourth of JulyCorrect
  • The fourteenth of July
  • The first of September

Independence Day is celebrated on the fourth of July.

89.Name one national United States holiday.

  • ThanksgivingCorrect
  • Easter Monday
  • Boxing Day
  • St Patrick's Day

National holidays include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

90.Which of these is a national United States holiday?

  • Memorial DayCorrect
  • Halloween
  • Valentine's Day
  • Mother's Day

Memorial Day is a national holiday. Halloween, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are widely observed but are not federal holidays.

Take test 9 as a timed quiz

US Citizenship Practice Test 10: Symbols, Holidays and Mixed Review

American Symbols, Holidays and Mixed Review

91.What is the supreme law of the land?

  • Federal statutes
  • The ConstitutionCorrect
  • State constitutions
  • Supreme Court rulings

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

92.How many United States Senators are there?

  • Fifty
  • One hundredCorrect
  • Two hundred
  • Four hundred and thirty five

There are one hundred senators, two for each state.

93.Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

  • The PresidentCorrect
  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The Chief of Staff
  • Congress

The President is the Commander in Chief of the military.

94.How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

  • Seven
  • NineCorrect
  • Twelve
  • Fifteen

There are nine justices on the Supreme Court.

95.What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

  • The Preamble
  • The Bill of RightsCorrect
  • The Federalist Papers
  • The Articles

The first ten amendments are the Bill of Rights.

96.When was the Constitution written?

  • 1776
  • 1787Correct
  • 1791
  • 1803

The Constitution was written in 1787. The Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776.

97.What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

  • It freed the slavesCorrect
  • It ended the Civil War
  • It created the Bill of Rights
  • It bought the Louisiana Territory

The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in the Confederate states.

98.During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

  • CommunismCorrect
  • Terrorism
  • Inflation
  • Colonialism

Communism was the main concern of the United States during the Cold War.

99.What is the capital of the United States?

  • New York City
  • Washington, D.C.Correct
  • Chicago
  • Philadelphia

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.

100.What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

  • To vote in every election
  • To obey the laws of the United StatesCorrect
  • To buy property
  • To speak only English

The Oath includes obeying the laws of the United States, defending the Constitution, giving up loyalty to other countries and serving the nation if required.

Take test 10 as a timed quiz

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