Last Updated on November 4, 2022 by Linda Lee
If you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least five years (three if you are married to a U.S. citizen), you may qualify for naturalization. One of the criteria is passing an English language exam and a civics exam.
The latter test requires you to answer questions about U.S. geography, history, and government. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a list of over 100 questions that you should study in preparation for the exam. Although you will only be asked 10 questions, you won’t know in advance which ones they are, so you need to study all of them to improve your chances of passing. To pass, you have to answer six out of 10 correctly.
Below is a sample citizenship quiz containing some of the questions you may be asked, along with their answers. If you have questions about the test or your eligibility for naturalization, contact an immigration attorney at the Immigration Law Office of Los Angeles, P.C.
Citizenship Questions About the U.S. Government
Who is currently the President of the U.S.? – Joe Biden
What are the two primary political parties in the U.S.? – The Democrats and the Republicans
What founding document stated that the American colonies were free of British rule?- Declaration of Independence
How often is a new President elected? – Every four years
In what month do people vote for the President? – November
At what age can people vote in the U.S.? – 18 years old
What is the White House and where is it located? – Washington, D.C., is the location of the White House, which houses the U.S. President.
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? – The Vice-President
What are the three branches of the U.S. government? – The Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch
Which branch of the U.S. government makes laws? – The Legislative Branch
What is Congress? – The House of Representatives and the Senate make up Congress, which is a part of the Legislative Branch.
How many U.S. senators are there? – 100
How many senators does each state have? – Two
Who is the governor of your state? – Answers will vary
Citizenship Questions About American History
Who was the first President of the United States? – George Washington
What inspired the pilgrims to come to the U.S.? – The opportunity to practice their religion freely
In order to gain independence, what country did the U.S. fight during the Revolutionary War? – Great Britain
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? – July 4, 1776
Who said, “Give me liberty or give me death”? – Patrick Henry
During World War II, which countries did the United States oppose? – Germany, Italy, and Japan
Can you tell me what the 13 original colonies were? – New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Georgia, and Maryland
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. –The Civil War
Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War? – Soviet Union (Russia and USSR are also acceptable answers)
Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? – A civil rights leader
Citizenship Questions About Symbols and Holidays
Where is the Statue of Liberty? – New York Harbor (Liberty Island, on the Hudson River, New Jersey, and near New York City are also acceptable answers)
What is the name of the national anthem? – The Star-Spangled Banner
What is Memorial Day? – A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
Citizenship Questions about the U.S. Flag
What are the colors of the American flag? – Red, white and blue
How many stars are on the U.S. flag? – 50
What do the stars on the American flag represent? – All of the states in the union
How many stripes are on the U.S. flag? – 13
What do the stripes on the flag represent? – The 13 original colonies
Who made the first U.S. flag? – Betsy Ross
Citizenship Questions about the U.S. Constitution
In what year was the US Constitution written? – 1787
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? – The Bill of Rights
According to the Constitution, who is guaranteed rights? – Every citizen and non-citizen in the U.S.
What is the intro to the Constitution called? – The preamble
What is the process of amending the Constitution? – Passing amendments
How many amendments have been made to the Constitution? – 27
Constitutionally, what are the qualifications for being President of the United States? – You must be at least 35 years of age when in office; you must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years; and you must have been born in the country.
Where is the right to freedom of speech guaranteed? – The First Amendment, which is part of the Bill of Rights
Citizenship Questions about the U.S. Courts
What is the highest court in the U.S.? – The U.S. Supreme Court
How many justices serve on the Supreme Court? – Nine
Who is the Chief Justice? – The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
Who chooses the Supreme Court justices? – The President of the United States
What does the Supreme Court do? – The job of the Supreme Court is to interpret U.S. laws
Speak With an Experienced Immigration Lawyer
The ability to answer common citizenship questions is one of the most important steps in obtaining naturalization, so we hope this sample citizenship quiz helps. However, there are other criteria for eligibility, and an immigration lawyer can help you both understand and best determine how to meet them.
At the Immigration Law Office of Los Angeles, P.C., we are committed to helping newcomers achieve their dreams of U.S. citizenship. In many cases, the process begins by applying for a marriage green card, non-immigrant visa, nanny visa, or another immigration status that authorizes you to live and work in the United States. Our lawyers can assist you with these preliminary steps and represent you when you’re ready to seek naturalization. To schedule a consultation, please call (213) 375-4084 or contact us online.
