USCIS Civics Test — 2008 Practice

Question 1 of 10

American Government

What does the Constitution do?

A declares war on Britain

B sets up the government and protects basic rights

C elects the President

D writes the federal budget

Explanation

The Constitution establishes the government, defines its branches, and protects basic rights.

Question 2 of 10

American Government

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

A the Bill of Rights

B the Declaration of Independence

C the Federalist Papers

D the Articles of Confederation

Explanation

The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights and protect individual liberties.

Question 3 of 10

Integrated Civics

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

A Atlantic Ocean

B Arctic Ocean

C Indian Ocean

D Pacific Ocean

Explanation

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

Question 4 of 10

American History

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

A the French

B the British

C American Indians (Native Americans)

D the Spanish

Explanation

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

Question 5 of 10

American Government

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

A Life and Liberty

B In Order to

C Of the People

D We the People

Explanation

The Constitution opens with 'We the People,' establishing that the government draws power from citizens.

Question 6 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 7 of 10

Integrated Civics

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

A Atlantic Ocean

B Indian Ocean

C Arctic Ocean

D Pacific Ocean

Explanation

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

Question 8 of 10

American History

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

A Europeans

B Africans

C Native Americans

D Asians

Explanation

Enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to America starting in the early 17th century.

Question 9 of 10

American Government

What is the supreme law of the land?

A the Declaration of Independence

B the Bill of Rights

C the Constitution

D the Federalist Papers

Explanation

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

Question 10 of 10

American History

What is one reason colonists came to America?

A to fight the Civil War

B to gain U.S. citizenship

C to build the railroads

D religious freedom and economic opportunity

Explanation

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

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