CIVICS FLASH CARDS

(2020 version)

These civics flash cards help immigrants learn about important topics in American government and history. They also help people get ready for the naturalization test — the test people take to become U.S. citizens. Teachers can use these flash cards in classrooms too, as a tool for citizenship preparation (getting ready for the test).

IMPORTANT NOTE:
On the 2020 version of the civics test, some answers might change over time. This can happen because of elections or new government appointments. People taking the test need to know the most current, up-to-date answers. When you take your test, you should answer with the name of whoever is serving in that job at the time of your interview with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates to find the most current answers to any questions that may have changed.

About the 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 spoken aloud — a USCIS officer will ask you 20 questions chosen from the full list of 128. To pass, you must answer at least 12 of those 20 questions correctly (that's 60%).

USCIS knows there might be other correct ways to answer some of these 128 questions. Still, people are encouraged to use the answers given on these flash cards when taking the test.

Special Rule for Older Applicants (the "65/20" 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 get some special help. You only need to study 20 specific questions — these are marked with a star (*) at the end of the question. You may also take the test in your own language instead of English.

The USCIS officer will ask you 10 questions from that special list of 20. You must answer at least 6 out of 10 correctly (60%) to pass.

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Instructions for Cutting and Folding the Cards

• Print the cards on 8½" x 11" paper.
• Cut along the dashed lines.
• Fold along the dotted lines.
• Fasten the two sides together with tape, glue, or staples.

To study, read the question first. When you're ready to answer, flip the card over to check if you got it right.

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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 or additions)
• 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 identifies inherent rights (rights people are born with).
• It identifies individual freedoms.

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

• Equality
• Liberty
• Social contract
• Natural rights
• 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
• Free market economy

Question 13: What is the rule of law?
Answer 13:

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

Question 14: Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
Answer 14:

• 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 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 limits the others)
• Separation of powers

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. (If you live in Washington, D.C., or in a U.S. territory, you should answer that D.C. — or your 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

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 (for small states)
• The Great Compromise (also called the Connecticut Compromise)

Question 29: Name your U.S. representative.
Answer 29: Answers will vary. (If you live in a territory with a nonvoting Delegate or Resident Commissioner, you may give that person's name. It's 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 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 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 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
• Commander in Chief (of the military)
• Chief diplomat (represents the U.S. to 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
• 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