USCIS Civics Test — 2008 Practice

Question 1 of 10

American Government

What is the supreme law of the land?

A the Federalist Papers

B the Constitution

C the Bill of Rights

D the Declaration of Independence

Explanation

The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States; all other laws must comply with it.

Question 2 of 10

Integrated Civics

Name one state that borders Canada.

A Florida

B California

C Michigan

D Texas

Explanation

13 U.S. states border Canada, from Maine in the east to Alaska in the west.

Question 3 of 10

Integrated Civics

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

A Indian Ocean

B Pacific Ocean

C Atlantic Ocean

D Arctic Ocean

Explanation

The Pacific Ocean borders the U.S. West Coast.

Question 4 of 10

Integrated Civics

Name one U.S. territory.

A Hawaii

B Puerto Rico

C Alaska

D Cuba

Explanation

U.S. territories include Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Question 5 of 10

American History

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

A John Adams

B George Washington

C Thomas Jefferson

D Benjamin Franklin

Explanation

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

Question 6 of 10

American History

What is one reason colonists came to America?

A to build the railroads

B to gain U.S. citizenship

C religious freedom and economic opportunity

D to fight the Civil War

Explanation

Colonists came for freedom, religious liberty, economic opportunity, and to escape persecution.

Question 7 of 10

Integrated Civics

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

A Arctic Ocean

B Indian Ocean

C Atlantic Ocean

D Pacific Ocean

Explanation

The Atlantic Ocean borders the U.S. East Coast.

Question 8 of 10

American History

Why did the colonists fight the British?

A because the British banned slavery

B because the British wanted to free the slaves

C because the British were Catholics

D because of high taxes without representation

Explanation

Colonists protested taxation without representation, quartering of British troops, and lack of self-government.

Question 9 of 10

American History

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

A American Indians (Native Americans)

B the French

C the British

D the Spanish

Explanation

American Indians (Native Americans) lived in America for thousands of years before Europeans arrived.

Question 10 of 10

American Government

What is an amendment?

A a state law

B a Supreme Court ruling

C a presidential order

D a change to the Constitution

Explanation

An amendment is a formal change or addition to the Constitution.

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Explanation

Want unlimited practice?