2008 civics test: Geography, symbols and holidays

Questions 88 to 100 of the official 2008 list, with every accepted answer and a short note on each.

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Geography

Eight questions about the map of the United States: its longest rivers, the oceans on each coast, the territories, and the states that border Canada and Mexico. This part exists only in the 2008 list. A map helps more than a word list here.

1. 88 Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

   • Missouri (River)
   • Mississippi (River)

   The Missouri and the Mississippi are each more than 2,000 miles long. They meet near St. Louis.

2. 89 What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

   • Pacific (Ocean)

   California, Oregon and Washington lie on the Pacific coast.

3. 90 What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

   • Atlantic (Ocean)

   States from Maine to Florida lie on the Atlantic coast.

4. 91 Name one U.S. territory.

   • Puerto Rico
   • U.S. Virgin Islands
   • American Samoa
   • Northern Mariana Islands
   • Guam

   One answer is enough. Territories belong to the United States but are not states.

5. 92 Name one state that borders Canada.

   • Maine
   • New Hampshire
   • Vermont
   • New York
   • Pennsylvania
   • Ohio
   • Michigan
   • Minnesota
   • North Dakota
   • Montana
   • Idaho
   • Washington
   • Alaska

   One answer is enough. Thirteen states touch Canada, from Maine in the east to Alaska in the north-west.

6. 93 Name one state that borders Mexico.

   • California
   • Arizona
   • New Mexico
   • Texas

   One answer is enough. Four states touch Mexico.

7. 94 What is the capital of the United States? 65/20

   • Washington, D.C.

   Washington, D.C. is a federal district, not part of any state. Do not confuse it with Washington State.

8. 95 Where is the Statue of Liberty? 65/20

   • New York (Harbor)
   • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]

   The statue, a gift from France, has stood in New York Harbor since 1886.

Symbols

Three questions about the flag and the national anthem. Thirteen stripes stand for the original colonies; fifty stars stand for the states.

1. 96 Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

   • because there were 13 original colonies
   • because the stripes represent the original colonies

   The 13 red and white stripes stand for the 13 original colonies.

2. 97 Why does the flag have 50 stars? 65/20

   • because there is one star for each state
   • because each star represents a state
   • because there are 50 states

   A star has been added for each new state. The 50th star, for Hawaii, was added in 1960.

3. 98 What is the name of the national anthem?

   • The Star-Spangled Banner

   Francis Scott Key wrote the words in 1814, during the War of 1812.

Holidays

Two questions about national holidays. Independence Day is July 4.

1. 99 When do we celebrate Independence Day? 65/20

   • July 4

   The date marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

2. 100 Name two national U.S. 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

   This question asks for two. Easy ones to remember are Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

Studying this part

• This part has 13 of the 100 questions, numbers 88 to 100 in the official list.
• This question needs more than one answer: no. 100. Give the number asked for.
• 4 questions here are marked 65/20: no. 94, no. 95, no. 97, no. 99. Applicants who qualify for the 65/20 special consideration study only the marked questions.
• Where several answers are listed, one is enough unless the question asks for more. Choose the one you find easiest to say.
• Cover the answers with your hand or use the button below, say your answer aloud, then check.

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