2008 civics test: Principles of American democracy

Questions 1 to 12 of the official 2008 list, with every accepted answer and a short note on each.

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The first twelve questions of the 2008 list are about the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the ideas behind them. Most answers are very short, often two or three words. The Constitution set up the government and is the supreme law; the Declaration announced independence from Great Britain. Keep those two apart and this part is straightforward.

1. 1 What is the supreme law of the land?

   • the Constitution

   Every law, court and official in the country must follow the Constitution. If another law conflicts with it, the Constitution wins.

2. 2 What does the Constitution do?

   • sets up the government
   • defines the government
   • protects basic rights of Americans

   The Constitution is the plan of the national government: it creates the three branches, says what each may do, and protects people's rights.

3. 3 The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

   • We the People

   The first three words say where the government's power comes from: the people themselves, not a ruler.

4. 4 What is an amendment?

   • a change (to the Constitution)
   • an addition (to the Constitution)

   The Constitution has been changed 27 times. Each change or addition is called an amendment.

5. 5 What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

   • the Bill of Rights

   The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments, added in 1791. It lists basic rights such as freedom of speech and religion.

6. 6 What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? 65/20

   • speech
   • religion
   • assembly
   • press
   • petition the government

   One answer is enough. The First Amendment protects five freedoms: speech, religion, assembly, press and petition.

7. 7 How many amendments does the Constitution have?

   • twenty-seven (27)

   The first ten came together as the Bill of Rights. The 27th, about pay for members of Congress, was ratified in 1992.

8. 8 What did the Declaration of Independence do?

   • announced our independence (from Great Britain)
   • declared our independence (from Great Britain)
   • said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

   The Declaration announced the break from Britain and set out the idea that people are born with rights that government must respect.

9. 9 What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

   • life
   • liberty
   • pursuit of happiness

   This question asks for two of the three: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

10. 10 What is freedom of religion?

    • You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

    The government may not set up an official religion or stop people from following their own, or none.

11. 11 What is the economic system in the United States? 65/20

    • capitalist economy
    • market economy

    In a market economy, people and private businesses, not the government, decide what to make, buy and sell.

12. 12 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.

    Rule of law means the law applies to everyone equally, including the president and the government itself.

Studying this part

• This part has 12 of the 100 questions, numbers 1 to 12 in the official list.
• This question needs more than one answer: no. 9. Give the number asked for.
• 2 questions here are marked 65/20: no. 6, no. 11. 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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System of government All parts of the 2008 list Practice test

Independent study site. Citizenship Test is not a government website and is not connected with USCIS or any agency. Questions and accepted answers are quoted from the official USCIS lists; the notes are ours. Rules were read on uscis.gov on 12 November 2026. Always confirm with uscis.gov/citizenship before your interview.