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Grades 4–5 reading level

Civics Flash Cards (Naturalization Test)

Adapted with AI from the original open resource by USCIS. Nothing is invented — only the reading level changes.

K–12–34–56–89–12

CIVICS FLASH CARDS

(2020 version)

CIVICS FLASH CARDS

These civics flash cards help people learn about important American government and history topics. They are used to get ready for the naturalization test — the test people take to become U.S. citizens. Teachers can also use these cards in the classroom to help students learn about citizenship.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
On the 2020 version of the civics test, some answers might change. This can happen because of elections or new appointments (when someone new gets picked for a job). People taking the test need to know the most current, up-to-date answers. Test-takers must answer with the name of the official who has the job at the time of their interview.

Go to uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates to find the newest answers to questions that may have changed.

Civics Flash Cards (2020 version)

These flash cards include a list of 128 questions and answers from the 2020 version of the civics test. The civics test is a spoken test. A USCIS officer will ask 20 questions chosen from the list of 128. You must answer at least 12 questions correctly (that's 60%) to pass.

USCIS knows there might be other correct answers to these 128 questions. But test-takers are encouraged to use the answers given on these flash cards.

65/20 Special Rule

If you are 65 years old or older, and you have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for 20 years or more, you can study just 20 special questions. These questions are marked with a star (*) at the end. You may also take the test in your own language. The officer will ask you 10 of these 20 starred questions. You must answer at least 6 out of 10 correctly (60%) to pass.

Instructions for Cutting and Folding Cards

  • Print the cards on 8 ½” x 11” paper.
  • Cut and fold to make flash cards.
  • Fasten the two sides together with tape, glue, or staples.

Use the cards to study. Read the question. When you're ready, turn the card over to check your answer.

  • Fold the cards on the dotted line.
  • Cut the cards on the dashed line.

Question 1
What is the form of government of the United States?

Answer 1

  • Republic
  • Constitution-based federal republic
  • Representative democracy

Question 2
What is the supreme law of the land?*

Answer 2
(U.S.) Constitution

Question 3
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Answer 3

  • Forms the government
  • Defines powers of government
  • Defines the parts of government
  • Protects the rights of the people

Question 4
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?

Answer 4

  • Self-government
  • Popular sovereignty (the idea that the people hold the power)
  • Consent of the governed (the people agree to be governed)
  • People should govern themselves
  • An example of a social contract (an agreement between people and their government)

Question 5
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 5

  • Amendments (official changes)
  • The amendment process

Question 6
What does the Bill of Rights protect?

Answer 6

  • The basic rights of Americans
  • The basic rights of people living in the United States

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

Answer 7
Twenty-seven (27)

Question 8
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

Answer 8

  • It says America is free from British control.
  • It says all people are created equal.
  • It names rights that everyone naturally has.
  • It names individual freedoms.

Question 9
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Answer 9

  • Equality
  • Liberty (freedom)
  • Social contract
  • Natural rights (rights everyone is born with)
  • Limited government
  • Self-government

Question 10
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

Answer 10
Declaration of Independence

Question 11
The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?

Answer 11
Declaration of Independence

Question 12
What is the economic system of the United States?*

Answer 12

  • Capitalism (a system where businesses and property are privately owned)
  • Free market economy

Question 13
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

Answer 13

  • Declaration of Independence
  • Articles of Confederation
  • Federalist Papers
  • Anti-Federalist Papers
  • Virginia Declaration of Rights
  • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
  • Mayflower Compact
  • Iroquois Great Law of Peace

Question 14
What is the rule of law?

Answer 14

  • Everyone must follow the law.
  • Leaders must obey the law.
  • Government must obey the law.
  • No one is above the law.

Question 15
Name the three branches of government.

Answer 15

  • Legislative, executive, and judicial
  • Congress, president, and the courts

Question 16
There are three branches of government. Why?

Answer 16

  • So one part does not become too powerful
  • Checks and balances (each branch watches the others)
  • Separation of powers (each branch has its own job)

Question 17
What part of the federal government writes laws?

Answer 17

  • (U.S.) Congress
  • (U.S. or national) legislature
  • Legislative branch

Question 18
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

Answer 18
Executive branch

Question 19
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

Answer 19
Senate and House (of Representatives)

Question 20
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.*

Answer 20

  • Writes laws
  • Declares war
  • Makes the federal budget

Question 21
How many U.S. senators are there?

Answer 21
One hundred (100)

Question 22
How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

Answer 22
Six (6) years

Question 23
Who is one of your state's U.S. senators now?

Answer 23
Answers will vary. [People who live in Washington, D.C., or in a U.S. territory should say that D.C. (or their territory) has no U.S. senators.]

Question 24
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

Answer 24
Four hundred thirty-five (435)

Question 25
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

Answer 25
Two (2) years

Question 26
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

Answer 26
To more closely follow public opinion (what the people think)

Question 27
How many senators does each state have?

Answer 27
Two (2)

Question 28
Why does each state have two senators?

Answer 28

  • Equal representation (so small states have the same say) for small states
  • The Great Compromise (also called the Connecticut Compromise)

Question 29
Name your U.S. representative.

Answer 29
Answers will vary. [People who live in a territory with a Delegate or Resident Commissioner (a representative without a vote) may give that person's name. It is also fine to say the territory has no voting representative in Congress.]

Question 30
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?*

Answer 30
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Question 31
Who does a U.S. senator represent?

Answer 31
Citizens from their state

Question 32
Who elects U.S. senators?

Answer 32

  • Citizens of their state
  • People of their state

Question 33
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

Answer 33
Citizens from their (congressional) district

Question 34
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

Answer 34

  • Citizens in their (congressional) district
  • Citizens in their district
  • People from their (congressional) district
  • People in their district

Question 35
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

Answer 35

  • Because of the state's population
  • Because they have more people
  • Because some states have more people

Question 36
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?*

Answer 36
Four (4) years

Question 37
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

Answer 37

  • Because of the 22nd Amendment
  • To keep the president from becoming too powerful

Question 38
What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

Answer 38
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name of the President of the United States.

Question 39
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

Answer 39
The Vice President (of the United States)

Question 40
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?*

Answer 40
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current name of the Vice President of the United States.

Question 41
Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

Answer 41
The President (of the United States)

Question 42
Name one power of the president.

Answer 42

  • Signs bills into law
  • Vetoes bills (rejects them)
  • Enforces laws (makes sure they are followed)
  • Commander in Chief (of the military)
  • Chief diplomat (main person who deals with other countries)

Question 43
Who signs bills to become laws?

Answer 43
The President (of the United States)

Question 44
Who vetoes bills?*

Answer 44
The President (of the United States)

Question 45
Who appoints federal judges?

Answer 45
The President (of the United States)

Question 46
The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

Answer 46

  • President (of the United States)
  • Cabinet (the president's group of advisors)
  • Federal departments and agencies

Question 47
What does the President's Cabinet do?

Answer 47
Advises the President (of the United States)

Question 48
What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Answer 48

  • Attorney General
  • 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
  • Vice President (of the United States)

Question 49
What is one part of the judicial branch?

Answer 49

  • Supreme Court
  • Federal Courts

Question 50
Why is the Electoral College important?

Answer 50

  • It decides who is elected president.
  • It provides a middle ground between having the people vote directly for president and having Congress choose the president.

Question 51
What is the highest court in the United States?*

Answer 51
Supreme Court

Question 52
What does the judicial branch do?

Answer 52

  • Reviews laws
  • Explains laws
  • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
  • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution

Question 53
How many

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