Civics Flash Cards (2020 Version)

These flash cards are designed to help immigrants learn important facts about American government and history while they prepare for the naturalization test — the test people take to become U.S. citizens. Teachers can also use these cards in the classroom as a tool for citizenship preparation.

Important note: Some answers on the 2020 version of the civics test may change over time because of elections or new appointments to office. Applicants must know the most current answers to these questions. When asked, you should give the name of whoever holds the office at the time of your naturalization interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For the most up-to-date answers, visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates.

About the Test

These flash cards contain the full list of 128 questions and answers used in the 2020 version of the civics test. The test itself is spoken aloud: a USCIS officer will ask you 20 questions chosen from this list of 128. To pass, you must answer at least 12 of them correctly — that's 60%.

USCIS recognizes that some of these 128 questions may have more than one correct answer. Even so, applicants are encouraged to use the answers given on these cards when responding.

Special Consideration for Older, Long-Term Residents (the "65/20" Rule)

If you are 65 or older and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for 20 years or more, you don't need to study all 128 questions. Instead, you can focus on just the 20 questions marked with an asterisk (*) at the end of each question below. You're also allowed to take the test in your native language. Under this rule, the USCIS officer will ask you 10 of the 20 starred questions, and you must answer at least 6 of the 10 correctly (60%) to pass.

How to Make the Flash Cards

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

To use them for studying: read the question first. Once you've thought of an answer, flip the card over to check whether you were right.

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Questions and Answers

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 the powers of government; defines the parts of government; protects the rights of the people.

4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?
Self-government; popular sovereignty (the idea that political power belongs to the people); consent of the governed; the people should govern themselves; an example of a "social contract" (an agreement between the people and their government).

5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Amendments; the amendment process.

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

7. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It declares America free from British control; it says all people are created equal; it identifies inherent (built-in, natural) rights; it identifies individual freedoms.

8. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?*
Twenty-seven (27).

9. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality; liberty; social contract; natural rights; limited government; self-government.

10. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
The Declaration of Independence.

11. The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?
The 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; leaders must obey the law; government must obey the law; no one is above the law.

14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
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.

15. There are three branches of government. Why?
So that no single branch becomes too powerful; checks and balances; separation of powers.

16. Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial; Congress, president, and the courts.

17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
The executive branch.

18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
The (U.S.) Congress; the (U.S. or national) legislature; the legislative branch.

19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and the 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?
One hundred (100).

22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Six (6) years.

23. Who is one of your state's U.S. senators now?
Answers will vary. (Residents of Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories should note that D.C. and the territories have no U.S. senators.)

24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty-five (435).

25. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years.

26. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
So that they stay closer to public opinion — Representatives face voters more often.

27. How many senators does each state have?
Two (2).

28. Why does each state have two senators?
For equal representation, especially for small states; this arrangement is called the Great Compromise (also known as the Connecticut Compromise).

29. Name your U.S. representative.
Answers will vary. (Residents of territories with a nonvoting Delegate or Resident Commissioner may name that person, or simply state that the territory has no voting representation in Congress.)

30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?*
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current answer.

31. Who does a U.S. senator represent?
The citizens, or people, of their state.

32. Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens of their state.

33. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens (or people) in their congressional district.

34. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their congressional district.

35. Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
Because of the state's population — states with more people get more representatives.

36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?*
Four (4) years.

37. The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
Because of the 22nd Amendment; to prevent the president from becoming too powerful.

38. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current answer.

39. If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice President of the United States.

40. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?*
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current answer.

41. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President of the United States.

42. Name one power of the president.
Signs bills into law; vetoes bills (rejects them); enforces laws; serves as Commander in Chief of the military; acts as chief diplomat.

43. Who signs bills to become laws?
The President of the United States.

44. Who vetoes bills?*
The President of the United States.

45. Who appoints federal judges?
The President of the United States.

46. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
The President; the Cabinet; federal departments and agencies.

47. What does the President's Cabinet do?
It advises the President of the United States.

48. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
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.

49. Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president; it serves as a compromise between electing the president by popular vote and having Congress choose the president.

50. What is one part of the judicial branch?
The Supreme Court; the federal courts.

51. What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews laws; explains laws; resolves disputes about the law; decides whether a law violates the U.S. Constitution.

52. What is the highest court in the United States?*
The Supreme Court.

53. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine (9).

54. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five (5).

55. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
For life — it's a lifetime appointment, lasting until retirement.

56. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To keep them independent of politics; to limit outside political influence over their decisions.

57. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the current answer.

58. Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Printing paper money; minting coins; declaring war; creating an army; making treaties; setting foreign policy.

59. Name one power that is only for the states.
Providing schooling and education; (the list continues in the original source but is cut off here).

60. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
It states that any powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.