US Citizenship Civics Test — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Constitutional amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States?
- 15th Amendment
- 13th Amendment
- 19th Amendment
- 14th Amendment (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, defined citizenship and granted it to all persons born or naturalized in the United States.
Question 2: Which amendment abolished poll taxes in federal elections?
- Fifteenth Amendment
- Twenty-Fourth Amendment (Correct answer)
- Nineteenth Amendment
- Twenty-Third Amendment
Correct answer: Twenty-Fourth Amendment
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment, ratified in 1964, abolished poll taxes in federal elections, removing a financial barrier that had been used to suppress voting.
Question 3: Who is the Father of Our Country ?
- Benjamin Franklin
- Abraham Lincoln
- George Washington (Correct answer)
- Thomas Jefferson
Correct answer: George Washington
George Washington is widely known as the "Father of Our Country." He led the Continental Army to victory during the American Revolution and presided over the Constitutional Convention. His leadership and integrity were instrumental in the founding and early development of the United States, and he served as its first President.
Question 4: What is the supreme law of the land?
- The Articles of Confederation
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Bill of Rights
- The Constitution (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The Constitution
The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. All other laws must be consistent with it, and it establishes the framework of the federal government.
Question 5: What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
- Pacific Ocean
- Atlantique Ocean (Correct answer)
- Northern Ocean
- Artic Ocean
Correct answer: Atlantique Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean borders the East Coast of the United States. Many states, from Maine down to Florida, have coastlines along the Atlantic. This ocean plays a significant role in the climate and economy of the eastern U.S.
Question 6: What is the significance of the bald eagle as a national symbol?
- It was chosen by the Founders as a symbol of freedom, strength, and the unique character of America (Correct answer)
- It was adopted to honor France, which had helped America win independence
- It was selected because it appears on many Native American tribal emblems
- It was chosen because it was nearly extinct and needed protection
Correct answer: It was chosen by the Founders as a symbol of freedom, strength, and the unique character of America
The bald eagle was chosen by the Founders in 1782 as the national bird and symbol because it represented freedom, strength, and independence unique to North America.
Question 7: What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
- Arctic Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
- Southern Ocean
- Pacific Ocean (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean borders the West Coast of the United States, stretching along states like California, Oregon, and Washington. It is the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions. The Atlantic Ocean, in contrast, borders the East Coast.
Question 8: The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
- Four hundred thirty-five (435) (Correct answer)
- One hundred and fifty (150)
- Twenty-seven (27)
- One hundred (100)
Correct answer: Four hundred thirty-five (435)
The House of Representatives has 435 voting members. This number is fixed by law and has been since 1911. Each state's number of representatives is determined by its population, as measured by the decennial census, ensuring proportional representation in the House.
Question 9: What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
- Civil War movement
- Emancipation movement
- Civil rights movement (Correct answer)
- Independence movement
Correct answer: Civil rights movement
The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal social and political movement in the United States that aimed to end racial discrimination and secure equal rights for African Americans. Led by figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., it challenged segregation and advocated for voting rights and other civil liberties through nonviolent protest and legal action.
Question 10: What event in December 1773, when colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor, directly led to the harsh Intolerable Acts?
- The Boston Tea Party (Correct answer)
- The Gaspée Affair
- The Boston Massacre
- Shays' Rebellion
Correct answer: The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party, carried out by the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians, was a protest against the Tea Act. Britain responded with the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts, which further united the colonies against British rule.
US Citizenship Civics Test
The US Citizenship Civics Test is an oral exam administered during the naturalization interview to assess an applicant's knowledge of US history and government.
Exam Rules
- You can skip questions and return to them later
- Flag questions for review before submitting
- No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
- Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
- 10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
- Timer auto-submits when time runs out
- Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds