2025 civics test: Principles of American government

Questions 1 to 15 of the official 2025 list, with every accepted answer and a short note on each.

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These fifteen questions are about ideas: what kind of country the United States is and where its government gets its power. Two documents come up again and again. The Declaration of Independence (1776) said the colonies were free and that people have rights. The Constitution (1787) set up the government. If you can tell those two apart, half of this part is done. Several questions here have many accepted answers. You never need to give them all. Choose the shortest one you can say clearly and practise that one.

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

   • Republic
   • Constitution-based federal republic
   • Representative democracy

   A republic is a country where the people choose representatives to govern for them, and no king or queen rules.

2. 2 What is the supreme law of the land? 65/20

   • (U.S.) Constitution

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

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

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

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

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

   • Self-government
   • Popular sovereignty
   • Consent of the governed
   • People should govern themselves
   • (Example of) social contract

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

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

   • Amendments
   • The amendment process

   An amendment is a change or addition. It must be proposed and then approved by three quarters of the states, so changes are rare.

6. 6 What does the Bill of Rights protect?

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

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

7. 7 How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? 65/20

   • 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 Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

   • It says America is free from British control.
   • It says all people are created equal.
   • It identifies inherent rights.
   • It identifies individual freedoms.

   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 founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

   • Declaration of Independence

   It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.

10. 10 Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

    • Equality
    • Liberty
    • Social contract
    • Natural rights
    • Limited government
    • Self-government

    Note that this question asks for two. Pick the two that are easiest for you to say clearly, for example "equality and liberty".

11. 11 The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?

    • Declaration of Independence

    The phrase comes from the second sentence of the Declaration, which lists rights that cannot be taken away.

12. 12 What is the economic system of the United States? 65/20

    • Capitalism
    • Free market economy

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

13. 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.

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

14. 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

    The writers of the Constitution borrowed ideas from earlier documents. One answer is enough.

15. 15 There are three branches of government. Why?

    • So one part does not become too powerful
    • Checks and balances
    • Separation of powers

    Power is divided among three branches so that each can limit the others. This is called checks and balances.

Studying this part

• This part has 15 of the 128 questions, numbers 1 to 15 in the official list.
• This question needs more than one answer: no. 10. Give the number asked for.
• 3 questions here are marked 65/20: no. 2, no. 7, no. 12. 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 2025 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.