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Principles of American Government · Question 1
What is the form of government of the United States?
Republic
Principles of American Government · Question 2
What is the supreme law of the land?
(U.S.) Constitution
Principles of American Government · Question 3
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the government
Principles of American Government · Question 4
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
Self-government
Principles of American Government · Question 5
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Amendments
Principles of American Government · Question 6
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
(The basic) rights of Americans
Principles of American Government · Question 7
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
Twenty-seven (27)
Principles of American Government · Question 8
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says America is free from British control.
Principles of American Government · Question 9
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
Principles of American Government · Question 10
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality
Principles of American Government · Question 11
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
Principles of American Government · Question 12
What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism
Principles of American Government · Question 13
What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law.
Principles of American Government · Question 14
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
Declaration of Independence
Principles of American Government · Question 15
There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
System of Government · Question 16
Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial
System of Government · Question 17
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
System of Government · Question 19
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House (of Representatives)
System of Government · Question 23
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.]
System of Government · Question 24
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
System of Government · Question 25
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years
System of Government · Question 26
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
System of Government · Question 28
Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation (for small states)
System of Government · Question 29
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.]
System of Government · Question 30
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
System of Government · Question 33
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens in their (congressional) district
System of Government · Question 34
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their (congressional) district
System of Government · Question 35
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
(Because of) the state’s population
System of Government · Question 36
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
Four (4) years
System of Government · Question 37
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
(Because of) the 22nd Amendment
System of Government · Question 38
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States.
System of Government · Question 39
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States.
System of Government · Question 40
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice President (of the United States)
System of Government · Question 42
Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President (of the United States)
System of Government · Question 43
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President (of the United States)
System of Government · Question 46
The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
President (of the United States)
System of Government · Question 47
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President (of the United States)
System of Government · Question 49
Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president.
System of Government · Question 54
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five (5)
System of Government · Question 56
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent (of politics)
System of Government · Question 57
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.
System of Government · Question 58
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Print paper money
System of Government · Question 59
Name one power that is only for the states.
Provide schooling and education
System of Government · Question 60
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
(It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
System of Government · Question 61
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.]
System of Government · Question 62
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.]
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 63
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 64
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
Citizens
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 65
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of expression
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 66
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 67
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
Give up loyalty to other countries
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 68
How can people become United States citizens?
Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 69
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote
Rights and Responsibilities · Question 72
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Required by law
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 73
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 74
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 75
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 76
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 77
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxes
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 78
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 79
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 80
The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
(Battle of) Bunker Hill
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 81
There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 82
What founding document was written in 1787?
(U.S.) Constitution
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 83
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 84
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 85
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
Founded the first free public libraries
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 86
George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
“Father of Our Country”
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 87
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Writer of the Declaration of Independence
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 88
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
“Father of the Constitution”
Colonial Period and Independence · Question 89
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
First Secretary of the Treasury
1800s · Question 94
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 100
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 101
Why did the United States enter World War I?
Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 102
When did all women get the right to vote?
1920
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 103
What was the Great Depression?
Longest economic recession in modern history
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 104
When did the Great Depression start?
The Great Crash (1929)
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 105
Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?
(Franklin) Roosevelt
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 106
Why did the United States enter World War II?
(Bombing of) Pearl Harbor
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 107
Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.
General during World War II
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 108
Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War?
Soviet Union
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 109
During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?
Communism
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 110
Why did the United States enter the Korean War?
To stop the spread of communism
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 111
Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?
To stop the spread of communism
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 112
What did the civil rights movement do?
Fought to end racial discrimination
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 113
Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
Fought for civil rights
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 114
Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 115
What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 116
Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
(Global) War on Terror
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 117
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Apache
Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information · Question 118
Name one example of an American innovation.
Light bulb
Symbols · Question 124
The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
Out of many, one
Holidays · Question 125
What is Independence Day?
A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
Holidays · Question 127
What is Memorial Day?
A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service