Before becoming a citizen, everyone has to know these facts about the United States. See how many you can get right.
1. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
- 10
- 35
- 27
- 18
The Constitution has been amended 27 times, starting with the Bill of Rights.
2. What do the 13 stripes on the American flag represent?
- 13 amendments
- The first 13 presidents
- The original 13 colonies
- 13 founding states' capitals
The 13 stripes stand for the original 13 colonies that became the first states.
3. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
- The Vice President
- The Speaker of the House
- The President
- The Secretary of Defense
The Constitution names the President as Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
4. What is the supreme law of the land?
- Federal law
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Constitution
- The Bill of Rights
The Constitution is the highest law in the United States; all other laws must comply with it.
5. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
- Atlantic Ocean
- Arctic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean borders the western coastline of the U.S.
6. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- John Adams
- George Washington
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
7. How many years is one term for a U.S. Senator?
- 4 years
- 2 years
- 8 years
- 6 years
Senators serve six-year terms, with about a third of the Senate up for election every two years.
8. What is the name of the national anthem?
- America the Beautiful
- God Bless America
- The Star-Spangled Banner
- My Country 'Tis of Thee
"The Star-Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key and became the national anthem in 1931.
9. How many U.S. states are there?
- 50
- 52
- 13
- 48
The United States is made up of 50 states, the last two being Alaska and Hawaii in 1959.
10. What is the name of the President's official residence?
- The Pentagon
- Capitol Hill
- The White House
- Camp David
The White House in Washington, D.C. has been the President's home and office since 1800.
11. How many justices sit on the U.S. Supreme Court?
- 9
- 7
- 11
- 5
The Supreme Court is made up of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, for nine total.
12. What is the minimum age to serve as President?
- 35
- 40
- 30
- 25
The Constitution requires a President to be at least 35 years old.
13. Which document begins with the words "We the People"?
- The Constitution
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Bill of Rights
- The Gettysburg Address
The Constitution's preamble famously opens with "We the People of the United States…"
14. What war did the Thirteen Colonies fight to win independence?
- The War of 1812
- The Civil War
- The American Revolution
- World War I
The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) won the colonies' independence from Britain.
15. Who was the first President of the United States?
- Abraham Lincoln
- John Adams
- Thomas Jefferson
- George Washington
George Washington served as the first U.S. President from 1789 to 1797.
16. In what month do we vote for a new President?
- October
- September
- January
- November
Presidential elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
- The House and the Cabinet
- The Senate and the House of Representatives
- The Senate and the Electoral College
- The Senate and the Supreme Court
Congress is bicameral, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
18. How many senators does each state have?
- 2
- It depends on population
- 3
- 1
Every state, regardless of size, elects exactly two senators.
19. Who becomes President if the President can no longer serve?
- The Speaker of the House
- The Chief Justice
- The Vice President
- The Secretary of State
The Vice President is first in the line of succession to the presidency.
20. What is the capital of the United States?
- Boston
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City
- Philadelphia
Washington, D.C. has served as the U.S. capital since 1800.
21. What ceremony takes place every four years for the President?
- The Inauguration
- The Convention
- The State of the Union
- The Primaries
The Inauguration is the ceremony where the President takes the oath of office.
22. What is the name given to the first ten amendments of the Constitution?
- The Bill of Rights
- The Federalist Papers
- The Magna Carta
- The Articles of Confederation
The first ten amendments, ratified in 1791, are collectively known as the Bill of Rights.
23. What movement did Martin Luther King Jr. lead?
- Prohibition movement
- Civil rights movement
- Women's suffrage movement
- Labor union movement
Martin Luther King Jr. was a central leader of the American civil rights movement.
24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
- 100
- 535
- 50
- 435
The House has 435 voting members, apportioned by state population.
25. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
- Created the income tax
- Freed slaves in the Confederacy
- Ended World War I
- Granted women the vote
Issued by Lincoln in 1863, it declared enslaved people in Confederate states to be free.
26. Which branch of government can declare a law unconstitutional?
- The Executive branch
- The Legislative branch
- The State governors
- The Judicial branch
The judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and can strike down unconstitutional ones.
27. What is the economic system of the United States?
- Capitalist / market economy
- Pure socialism
- Communism
- Feudalism
The U.S. operates a capitalist, market-based economic system.
28. What did Susan B. Anthony fight for?
- Ending slavery
- Native American rights
- Women's right to vote
- Workers' rights
Susan B. Anthony was a leading activist in the women's suffrage movement.
29. What is the rule of law?
- Only citizens must follow the law
- Everyone must follow the law, including leaders
- The President can override any law
- Laws only apply to businesses
Rule of law means no one, not even government leaders, is above the law.
30. What is one power of the federal government only?
- Providing schooling
- Printing money
- Issuing driver's licenses
- Local policing
Only the federal government can print and coin money.
31. Which of these is a right only for U.S. citizens?
- Freedom of religion
- The right to a trial
- Voting in federal elections
- Freedom of speech
Voting in federal elections is reserved for U.S. citizens, unlike many other constitutional freedoms.
32. What did the Louisiana Purchase do?
- Created new states from Texas
- Freed enslaved people
- Ended a war with Mexico
- Doubled the size of the United States
The 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France doubled the size of the U.S.
33. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
- Communism
- Fascism
- Piracy
- Monarchy
The Cold War was largely defined by U.S. opposition to the spread of Communism, especially from the Soviet Union.
34. What is one responsibility that belongs only to U.S. citizens?
- Obeying the law
- Serving on a jury
- Paying taxes
- Being loyal to the country
Jury duty is a civic responsibility specifically reserved for U.S. citizens.
35. Which of the 13 original states was the first to ratify the Constitution?
- Massachusetts
- Delaware
- Virginia
- New York
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, on December 7, 1787.
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