128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version)

A. Principles of American Government

1. What is the form of government of the United States?
   • Republic
   • Constitution-based federal republic
   • Representative democracy

2. What is the supreme law of the land? *
   • The U.S. Constitution

3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
   • Forms the government
   • Defines powers and parts of government
   • Protects the rights of the people

4. The Constitution starts with “We the People.” What does it mean?
   • Self-government
   • Consent of the governed
   • People should govern themselves

5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
   • Through amendments

6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?
   • The basic rights of people in the United States

7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? *
   • 27

8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
   • Declared freedom from British control
   • Identified individual freedoms and equality

9. What founding document said the colonies were free from Britain?
   • Declaration of Independence

10. Name two ideas from the Declaration of Independence or Constitution.
    • Equality
    • Liberty
    • Natural rights
    • Limited government
    • Self-government

11. “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” is in what document?
    • Declaration of Independence

12. What is the economic system of the United States? *
    • Capitalism
    • Free market economy

13. What is the rule of law?
    • Everyone must follow the law
    • No one is above the law

14. Name one document that influenced the Constitution.
    • Declaration of Independence
    • Federalist Papers
    • Mayflower Compact
    • Iroquois Great Law of Peace

15. Why are there three branches of government?
    • To prevent one part from becoming too powerful
    • Checks and balances
    • Separation of powers

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B. System of Government

16. Name the three branches of government.
    • Legislative, Executive, Judicial

17. The President is in charge of which branch?
    • Executive

18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
    • Congress (Legislative branch)

19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
    • Senate and House of Representatives

20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress. *
    • Writes laws
    • Declares war
    • Makes the federal budget

21. How many U.S. senators are there?
    • 100

22. How long is a U.S. senator’s term?
    • 6 years

23. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators?
    • Answers vary by state

24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
    • 435

25. How long is a term for a House member?
    • 2 years

26. Why do representatives serve shorter terms?
    • To stay responsive to public opinion

27. How many senators does each state have?
    • Two

28. Why does each state have two senators?
    • Equal representation (The Great Compromise)

29. Name your U.S. representative.
    • Answers vary by district

30. Name the Speaker of the House of Representatives. *
    • See uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates