U.S. Citizenship Civics Test — All Questions
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What is the capital of the United States?
- a.Philadelphia
- b.New York City
- c.Boston
- d.Washington, D.C.✓
The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. It is home to the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court. The 'D.C.' stands for the District of Columbia.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
- a.Washington, D.C.
- b.New York Harbor✓
- c.Boston Harbor
- d.San Francisco Bay
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. It was a gift from France in 1886. It has become a symbol of freedom and welcome to immigrants.
Why does the U.S. flag have 13 stripes?
- a.Because the flag has 13 stars
- b.Because there are 13 amendments
- c.To honor 13 Presidents
- d.Because there were 13 original colonies✓
The 13 stripes on the U.S. flag represent the 13 original colonies that became the first states. The stripes alternate red and white. They are a reminder of the nation's beginnings.
Why does the U.S. flag have 50 stars?
- a.To represent the original colonies
- b.Because there are 50 amendments
- c.To honor 50 Presidents
- d.Because there is one star for each state✓
The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states of the Union. A star is added when a new state joins. The current design has been used since Hawaii became a state in 1959.
What is the name of the national anthem?
- a.My Country, 'Tis of Thee
- b.God Bless America
- c.The Star-Spangled Banner✓
- d.America the Beautiful
The national anthem of the United States is 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' The lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. It was officially adopted as the anthem in 1931.
The nation's first motto was 'E Pluribus Unum.' What does it mean?
- a.Out of many, one✓
- b.In God we trust
- c.Land of the free
- d.Liberty and justice
'E Pluribus Unum' is Latin for 'Out of many, one.' It reflects how many states and people come together to form one nation. It appears on U.S. coins and the Great Seal.
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
- a.The Thames River
- b.The Nile River
- c.The Amazon River
- d.The Mississippi River✓
The two longest rivers in the United States are the Missouri and the Mississippi. The Mississippi River is one of them. The Amazon and Nile are located on other continents.
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
- a.The Atlantic Ocean
- b.The Pacific Ocean✓
- c.The Indian Ocean
- d.The Arctic Ocean
The Pacific Ocean lies on the West Coast of the United States. States such as California, Oregon, and Washington border it. It is the largest ocean on Earth.
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
- a.The Southern Ocean
- b.The Atlantic Ocean✓
- c.The Pacific Ocean
- d.The Indian Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean lies on the East Coast of the United States. States such as New York, Florida, and Massachusetts border it. It separates the Americas from Europe and Africa.
Name one U.S. territory.
- a.Puerto Rico✓
- b.The Bahamas
- c.Ontario
- d.Cuba
U.S. territories include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Puerto Rico is one example. People born in these territories are generally U.S. citizens or nationals.
Name one state that borders Canada.
- a.Texas
- b.Arizona
- c.Maine✓
- d.Florida
States that border Canada include Maine, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, and Washington, among others. Maine is one example. Florida, Texas, and Arizona do not border Canada.
Name one state that borders Mexico.
- a.Florida
- b.New York
- c.Maine
- d.Texas✓
The states that border Mexico are California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Texas is one of them. These states share the U.S.-Mexico border.
What is Memorial Day?
- a.A holiday honoring the first Thanksgiving
- b.A holiday to celebrate independence
- c.A holiday for the nation's workers
- d.A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service✓
Memorial Day honors members of the armed forces who died while serving the country. It is observed on the last Monday in May. It is a day of remembrance and respect.
What is Veterans Day?
- a.A holiday to honor only those who died in war
- b.A holiday celebrating independence
- c.A holiday honoring civil rights leaders
- d.A holiday to honor everyone who has served in the U.S. military✓
Veterans Day honors all people who have served in the United States armed forces. It is observed each year on November 11. It recognizes both living and deceased veterans.
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
- a.July 4✓
- b.November 11
- c.December 25
- d.January 1
Independence Day is celebrated on July 4. It marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It is a national holiday often observed with fireworks and parades.
Which of the following is a national U.S. holiday?
- a.Thanksgiving✓
- b.Halloween
- c.Groundhog Day
- d.Valentine's Day
Thanksgiving is one of the nation's federal holidays, observed on the fourth Thursday of November. Other national holidays include New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Christmas. Valentine's Day and Halloween are not federal holidays.
What does Juneteenth commemorate?
- a.The nation's independence from Britain
- b.The end of slavery in the United States✓
- c.The signing of the Constitution
- d.The end of World War II
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Texas. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
Which national holiday honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
- a.Columbus Day
- b.Presidents' Day
- c.Martin Luther King, Jr. Day✓
- d.Labor Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors the civil rights leader. It is observed on the third Monday in January. It recognizes his work for equality and justice.
Which national holiday honors American workers?
- a.Labor Day✓
- b.Independence Day
- c.Veterans Day
- d.Memorial Day
Labor Day honors the contributions of American workers. It is observed on the first Monday in September. It is often seen as marking the end of summer.
What is the largest U.S. state by land area?
- a.Alaska✓
- b.Texas
- c.Montana
- d.California
Alaska is the largest U.S. state by land area. It is more than twice the size of Texas, the second largest. It became the 49th state in 1959.
How many stars are on the current U.S. flag?
- a.13
- b.50✓
- c.52
- d.48
The current U.S. flag has 50 stars, one for each state. The 13 stripes represent the original colonies. The 50-star design has been in use since 1960.
What colors are the stripes on the U.S. flag?
- a.Green and white
- b.Red and white✓
- c.Red and blue
- d.Blue and white
The stripes on the U.S. flag alternate red and white. There are 13 stripes representing the original colonies. The blue field in the corner holds the 50 white stars.
Which national holiday honors former U.S. Presidents?
- a.Labor Day
- b.Veterans Day
- c.Memorial Day
- d.Presidents' Day✓
Presidents' Day honors U.S. Presidents, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is observed on the third Monday in February. It is officially known as Washington's Birthday.
What is the national bird of the United States?
- a.The turkey
- b.The cardinal
- c.The bald eagle✓
- d.The robin
The bald eagle is the national bird and a symbol of the United States. It appears on the Great Seal. It was chosen for its strength and long life.
In which city does the President of the United States live and work?
- a.New York City
- b.Washington, D.C.✓
- c.Los Angeles
- d.Philadelphia
The President lives and works in Washington, D.C., at the White House. The capital is also home to Congress and the Supreme Court. It is not part of any state.
On what date is New Year's Day celebrated in the United States?
- a.January 1✓
- b.December 25
- c.November 11
- d.July 4
New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1, the first day of the year. It is a federal holiday. Many Americans mark it with celebrations the night before.
What is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November?
- a.Veterans Day
- b.Memorial Day
- c.Independence Day
- d.Thanksgiving✓
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a day for gratitude and gathering with family. It traces back to early harvest celebrations by colonists and Native Americans.
Which winter holiday is a federal holiday in the United States?
- a.Christmas✓
- b.Earth Day
- c.Valentine's Day
- d.Halloween
Christmas, observed on December 25, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is one of several national holidays throughout the year. Halloween and Valentine's Day are popular but are not federal holidays.
How hard is the exam?
The USCIS civics test is oral, given during your naturalization interview: the officer asks up to 10 questions from the official list of 100 (2008 version) and you must answer 6 correctly to pass (60%). The officer stops as soon as you reach 6 correct. It is part of the N-400 naturalization process.
- Recommended study hours
- Study the official 100-question USCIS list; most applicants review over several weeks and pass comfortably.
- Published pass rate
- 89.7% on the first attempt; 94.4% across all attempts — USCIS, cumulative since October 1, 2023. USCIS calls the first figure the initial exam only and the second the initial exam plus re-exam. Both count applicants who were exempt from part of the test, or who had an approved Form N-648, as passing.Source: USCIS — Naturalization Statistics, “Naturalization Test Initial Pass Rate”
- Where to focus first
- American Government (about 43% of the question pool) and American History (about 35%) — the two largest sections of the 100 questions.
Fees and salaries are approximate and change over time. The pass rate above is quoted from the source linked beside it, for the period that source covers — where we have not checked a source, we say so and give no number.