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STUDY · 2008 NATURALIZATION CIVICS TEST

2008 civics test — all 100 questions, USCIS-verbatim

The 2008 naturalization civics test applies to Form N-400 applications filed before October 20, 2025. The civics test is an oral test — the USCIS officer asks you up to 10 of these 100 questions, and you must answer 6 correctly to pass.

Last verified:·Source:USCIS 100Q PDF (rev. 08/21)
Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version). The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the naturalization test are listed below. The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test. On the naturalization test, some answers may change because of elections or appointments. As you study for the test, make sure that you know the most current answers to these questions. Answer these questions with the name of the official who is serving at the time of your eligibility interview with USCIS. The USCIS Officer will not accept an incorrect answer. Although USCIS is aware that there may be additional correct answers to the 100 civics questions, applicants are encouraged to respond to the civics questions using the answers provided below.
Quoted exactly, without paraphrase, from USCIS 2008 Civics Test PDF.

2008 USCIS Civics Test — full 100-question bank

All 100 questions, USCIS-verbatim. On the test, USCIS asks up to 10 questions and you must answer 6 of 10 correctly to pass.

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Source: USCIS — last verified . Questions are quoted exactly without paraphrase.

  • 001What is the supreme law of the land?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • the Constitution
  • 002What does the Constitution do?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • sets up the government
    • defines the government
    • protects basic rights of Americans
  • 003The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • We the People
  • 004What is an amendment?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • a change (to the Constitution)
    • an addition (to the Constitution)
  • 005What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • the Bill of Rights
  • 006What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • speech
    • religion
    • assembly
    • press
    • petition the government
  • 007How many amendments does the Constitution have?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • twenty-seven (27)
  • 008What did the Declaration of Independence do?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • announced our independence (from Great Britain)
    • declared our independence (from Great Britain)
    • said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
  • 009What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • life
    • liberty
    • pursuit of happiness
  • 010What is freedom of religion?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
  • 011What is the economic system in the United States?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • capitalist economy
    • market economy
  • 012What is the "rule of law"?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — A: Principles of American Democracy

    • Everyone must follow the law.
    • Leaders must obey the law.
    • Government must obey the law.
    • No one is above the law.
  • 013Name one branch or part of the government.*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Congress
    • legislative
    • President
    • executive
    • the courts
    • judicial
  • 014What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • checks and balances
    • separation of powers
  • 015Who is in charge of the executive branch?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the President
  • 016Who makes federal laws?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Congress
    • Senate and House (of Representatives)
    • (U.S. or national) legislature
  • 017What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the Senate and House (of Representatives)
  • 018How many U.S. Senators are there?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • one hundred (100)
  • 019We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • six (6)
  • 020Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • 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.]
  • 021The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • four hundred thirty-five (435)
  • 022We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • two (2)
  • 023Name your U.S. Representative.

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • 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.]
  • 024Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • all people of the state
  • 025Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • (because of) the state's population
    • (because) they have more people
    • (because) some states have more people
  • 026We elect a President for how many years?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • four (4)
  • 027In what month do we vote for President?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • November
  • 028What is the name of the President of the United States now?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States.

    Editor's note: As of 2026-05-08 (per USCIS test-updates page), USCIS lists the current officeholder as: Donald J. Trump, Donald Trump, Trump. This may change after an election or appointment — confirm at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates the day before your interview.

  • 029What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States.

    Editor's note: As of 2026-05-08 (per USCIS test-updates page), USCIS lists the current officeholder as: JD Vance, Vance. This may change after an election or appointment — confirm at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates the day before your interview.

  • 030If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the Vice President
  • 031If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the Speaker of the House
  • 032Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the President
  • 033Who signs bills to become laws?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the President
  • 034Who vetoes bills?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the President
  • 035What does the President's Cabinet do?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • advises the President
  • 036What are two Cabinet-level positions?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Secretary of Agriculture
    • Secretary of Commerce
    • Secretary of Defense
    • Secretary of Education
    • Secretary of Energy
    • Secretary of Health and Human Services
    • Secretary of Homeland Security
    • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
    • Secretary of the Interior
    • Secretary of Labor
    • Secretary of State
    • Secretary of Transportation
    • Secretary of the Treasury
    • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    • Attorney General
    • Vice President
  • 037What does the judicial branch do?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • reviews laws
    • explains laws
    • resolves disputes (disagreements)
    • decides if a law goes against the Constitution
  • 038What is the highest court in the United States?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • the Supreme Court
  • 039How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

    Editor's note: As of 2026-05-08 (per USCIS test-updates page), USCIS lists the current officeholder as: nine (9). This may change after an election or appointment — confirm at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates the day before your interview.

  • 040Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.

    Editor's note: As of 2026-05-08 (per USCIS test-updates page), USCIS lists the current officeholder as: John Roberts, John G. Roberts, Jr.. This may change after an election or appointment — confirm at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates the day before your interview.

  • 041Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • to print money
    • to declare war
    • to create an army
    • to make treaties
  • 042Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • provide schooling and education
    • provide protection (police)
    • provide safety (fire departments)
    • give a driver's license
    • approve zoning and land use
  • 043Who is the Governor of your state now?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.]
  • 044What is the capital of your state?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • 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.]
  • 045What are the two major political parties in the United States?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Democratic and Republican
  • 046What is the political party of the President now?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the political party of the President.

    Editor's note: As of 2026-05-08 (per USCIS test-updates page), USCIS lists the current officeholder as: Republican (Party). This may change after an election or appointment — confirm at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates the day before your interview.

  • 047What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — B: System of Government

    • Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Editor's note: As of 2026-05-08 (per USCIS test-updates page), USCIS lists the current officeholder as: Mike Johnson, Johnson, James Michael Johnson (birth name). This may change after an election or appointment — confirm at uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates the day before your interview.

  • 048There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
    • You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
    • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
    • A male citizen of any race (can vote).
  • 049What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • serve on a jury
    • vote in a federal election
  • 050Name one right only for United States citizens.

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • vote in a federal election
    • run for federal office
  • 051What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • freedom of expression
    • freedom of speech
    • freedom of assembly
    • freedom to petition the government
    • freedom of religion
    • the right to bear arms
  • 052What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • the United States
    • the flag
  • 053What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • give up loyalty to other countries
    • defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
    • obey the laws of the United States
    • serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
    • serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
    • be loyal to the United States
  • 054How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • eighteen (18) and older
  • 055What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • vote
    • join a political party
    • help with a campaign
    • join a civic group
    • join a community group
    • give an elected official your opinion on an issue
    • call Senators and Representatives
    • publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
    • run for office
    • write to a newspaper
  • 056When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • April 15
  • 057When must all men register for the Selective Service?

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT — C: Rights and Responsibilities

    • at age eighteen (18)
    • between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
  • 058What is one reason colonists came to America?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • freedom
    • political liberty
    • religious freedom
    • economic opportunity
    • practice their religion
    • escape persecution
  • 059Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • American Indians
    • Native Americans
  • 060What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • Africans
    • people from Africa
  • 061Why did the colonists fight the British?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
    • because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
    • because they didn't have self-government
  • 062Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • (Thomas) Jefferson
  • 063When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • July 4, 1776
  • 064There were 13 original states. Name three.

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • New Hampshire
    • Massachusetts
    • Rhode Island
    • Connecticut
    • New York
    • New Jersey
    • Pennsylvania
    • Delaware
    • Maryland
    • Virginia
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Georgia
  • 065What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • The Constitution was written.
    • The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
  • 066When was the Constitution written?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • 1787
  • 067The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • (James) Madison
    • (Alexander) Hamilton
    • (John) Jay
    • Publius
  • 068What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • U.S. diplomat
    • oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
    • first Postmaster General of the United States
    • writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac"
    • started the first free libraries
  • 069Who is the "Father of Our Country"?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • (George) Washington
  • 070Who was the first President?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN HISTORY — A: Colonial Period and Independence

    • (George) Washington
  • 071What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — B: 1800s

    • the Louisiana Territory
    • Louisiana
  • 072Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

    AMERICAN HISTORY — B: 1800s

    • War of 1812
    • Mexican-American War
    • Civil War
    • Spanish-American War
  • 073Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

    AMERICAN HISTORY — B: 1800s

    • the Civil War
    • the War between the States
  • 074Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

    AMERICAN HISTORY — B: 1800s

    • slavery
    • economic reasons
    • states' rights
  • 075What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN HISTORY — B: 1800s

    • freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
    • saved (or preserved) the Union
    • led the United States during the Civil War
  • 076What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — B: 1800s

    • freed the slaves
    • freed slaves in the Confederacy
    • freed slaves in the Confederate states
    • freed slaves in most Southern states
  • 077What did Susan B. Anthony do?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — B: 1800s

    • fought for women's rights
    • fought for civil rights
  • 078Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • World War I
    • World War II
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • (Persian) Gulf War
  • 079Who was President during World War I?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • (Woodrow) Wilson
  • 080Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • (Franklin) Roosevelt
  • 081Who did the United States fight in World War II?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • Japan, Germany, and Italy
  • 082Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • World War II
  • 083During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • Communism
  • 084What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • civil rights (movement)
  • 085What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*Sr 20Q

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • fought for civil rights
    • worked for equality for all Americans
  • 086What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • Terrorists attacked the United States.
  • 087Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

    AMERICAN HISTORY — C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

    • Cherokee
    • Navajo
    • Sioux
    • Chippewa
    • Choctaw
    • Pueblo
    • Apache
    • Iroquois
    • Creek
    • Blackfeet
    • Seminole
    • Cheyenne
    • Arawak
    • Shawnee
    • Mohegan
    • Huron
    • Oneida
    • Lakota
    • Crow
    • Teton
    • Hopi
    • Inuit
  • 088Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • Missouri (River)
    • Mississippi (River)
  • 089What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • Pacific (Ocean)
  • 090What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • Atlantic (Ocean)
  • 091Name one U.S. territory.

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • Puerto Rico
    • U.S. Virgin Islands
    • American Samoa
    • Northern Mariana Islands
    • Guam
  • 092Name one state that borders Canada.

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • Maine
    • New Hampshire
    • Vermont
    • New York
    • Pennsylvania
    • Ohio
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • North Dakota
    • Montana
    • Idaho
    • Washington
    • Alaska
  • 093Name one state that borders Mexico.

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • California
    • Arizona
    • New Mexico
    • Texas
  • 094What is the capital of the United States?*Sr 20Q

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • Washington, D.C.
  • 095Where is the Statue of Liberty?*Sr 20Q

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — A: Geography

    • New York (Harbor)
    • Liberty Island
  • 096Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — B: Symbols

    • because there were 13 original colonies
    • because the stripes represent the original colonies
  • 097Why does the flag have 50 stars?*Sr 20Q

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — B: Symbols

    • because there is one star for each state
    • because each star represents a state
    • because there are 50 states
  • 098What is the name of the national anthem?

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — B: Symbols

    • The Star-Spangled Banner
  • 099When do we celebrate Independence Day?*Sr 20Q

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — C: Holidays

    • July 4
  • 100Name two national U.S. holidays.

    INTEGRATED CIVICS — C: Holidays

    • New Year's Day
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • Presidents' Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Columbus Day
    • Veterans Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas