To be eligible for naturalization, you must be able to read, write and speak basic English. You must also have basic knowledge of U.S. history and government.

The questions below are examples of questions an officer of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may ask you at your interview.

Please remember that the questions and sentences in this study guide are only examples. The USCIS officer who interviews you may ask you to answer other questions or to read or write other sentences.

1. What are the colors of our flag?
   
2. What do the stars on the flag mean?
   
3. How many stars are there on our flag?
   
4. What color are the stars on our flag?
   
5. How many stripes are there on our flag?
   
6. What do the stripes on the flag represent?
   
7. What colors are the stripes on the flag?
   
8. How many states are there in the Union (the United States)?
   
9. What do we celebrate on the 4th of July?
   
10. Independence Day celebrates independence from whom?
    
11. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?
    
12. Who was the first president of the United States?
    
13. Who is the President of the United States today?
    
14. Who is the Vice President of the United States today?
    
15. Who elects the President of the United States?
    
16. Who becomes President if the President dies?
    
17. What is the Constitution?
    
18. What do we call changes to the Constitution?
    
19. How many changes, or amendments, are there to the Constitution?
    
20. What are the three branches of our government?
    
21. What is the legislative branch of our Government?
    
22. What makes up Congress?
    
23. Who makes the Federal laws in the United States?
    
24. Who elects Congress?
    
25. How many Senators are there in Congress?
    
26. For how long do we elect each Senator?
    
27. Name two Senators from your state.
    
28. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
    
29. For how long do we elect each member of the House of Representatives?
    
30. Who is the head of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government?
    
31. For how long is the President elected?
    
32. What is the highest part of the Judiciary Branch of our Government?
    
33. What are the duties of the Supreme Court?
    
34. What is the supreme law of the United States?
    
35. What is the Bill of Rights?
    
36. What is the capital of the state you live in?
    
37. Who is the current Governor of the state you live in?
    
38. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die?
    
39. Who is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
    
40. What were the original 13 states?
    
41. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death"?
    
42. Name some countries that were our enemies during World War II.
    
43. What was the 49th state added to our Union (the United States)?
    
44. How many full terms can a President serve?
    
45. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
    
46. What are some of the requirements to be eligible to become President?
    
47. Why are there 100 Senators in the United States Senate?
    
48. Who nominates judges for the Supreme Court?
    
49. How many Supreme Court justices are there?
    
50. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
    
51. What is the executive of a state government called?
    
52. What is the head executive of a city government called?
    
53. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by American colonists?
    
54. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
    
55. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
    
56. What are some of the basic beliefs of the Declaration of Independence?
    
57. What is the national anthem of the United States?
    
58. Who wrote The Star-Spangled Banner?
    
59. What is the minimum voting age in the United States?
    
60. Who signs bills into law?
    
61. What is the highest court in the United States?
    
62. Who was President during the Civil War?
    
63. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
    
64. What special group advises the President?
    
65. Which President is called the "Father of our Country"?
    
66. Which President was the first Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army and Navy?
    
67. What was the 50th state to be added to our Union (the United States)?
    
68. Who helped the Pilgrims in America?
    
69. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?
    
70. What were the 13 original states of the United States called before they were states?
    
71. What group has the power to declare war?
    
72. Name the amendments that guarantee or address voting rights.
    
73. In what year was the Constitution written?
    
74. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
    
75. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
    
76. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
    
77. Who meets in the U.S. Capitol building?
    
78. What is the name of the President's official home?
    
79. Where is the White House located?
    
80. Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the first amendment.
    
81. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the United States military?
    
82. In what month do we vote for the President?
    
83. In what month is the new President inaugurated?
    
84. How many times may a Senator or Congressman be re-elected?
    
85. What are the two major political parties in the United States today?
    
86. What is the executive branch of our government?
    
87. Where does freedom of speech come from?
    
88. What U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form is used to apply for naturalized citizenship?
    
89. What kind of government does the United States have?
    
90. Name one of the purposes of the United Nations.
    
91. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.
    
92. Can the Constitution be changed?
    
93. What is the most important right granted to United States citizens?
    
94. What is the White House?
    
95. What is the United States Capitol?
    
96. How many branches are there in the United States government?
    

1. What are the colors of our flag?
   Red, white and blue
   
   
2. What do the stars on the flag mean?
   One for each state
   
   
3. How many stars are there on our flag?
   50
   
   
4. What color are the stars on our flag?
   White
   
   
5. How many stripes are there on our flag?
   13
   
   
6. What do the stripes on the flag represent?
   The first 13 states
   
   
7. What colors are the stripes on the flag?
   Red and white
   
   
8. How many states are there in the Union (the United States)?
   50
   
   
9. What do we celebrate on the 4th of July?
   Independence Day
   
   
10. Independence Day celebrates independence from whom?
    Great Britain
    
    
11. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?
    Great Britain
    
    
12. Who was the first president of the United States?
    George Washington
    
    
13. Who is the President of the United States today?
    George W. Bush^*
    
    Most current information at Whitehouse website
    
    
14. Who is the Vice President of the United States today?
    Richard (Dick) Cheney^*
    
    Most current information at Whitehouse website
    
    
15. Who elects the President of the United States?
    The Electoral College
    
    
16. Who becomes President if the President dies?
    The Vice President
    
    
17. What is the Constitution?
    The supreme law of the land
    
    
18. What do we call changes to the Constitution?
    Amendments
    
    
19. How many changes, or amendments, are there to the Constitution?
    27^*
    
    
20. What are the three branches of our government?
    Executive, Judicial and Legislative
    
    
21. What is the legislative branch of our Government?
    Congress
    
    
22. What makes up Congress?
    The senate and the House of Representatives
    
    
23. Who makes the Federal laws in the United States?
    Congress
    
    
24. Who elects Congress?
    The citizens of the United States
    
    
25. How many Senators are there in Congress?
    100
    
    
26. For how long do we elect each Senator?
    6 years
    
    
27. Name two Senators from your state.
    Find at the Senate website
    
    
28. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
    435
    
    House website
    
    
29. For how long do we elect each member of the House of Representatives?
    2 years
    
    
30. Who is the head of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government?
    The President
    
    
31. For how long is the President elected?
    4 years
    
    
32. What is the highest part of the Judiciary Branch of our Government?
    The Supreme Court
    
    
33. What are the duties of the Supreme Court?
    To interpret and explain the laws
    
    
34. What is the supreme law of the United States?
    The Constitution
    
    
35. What is the Bill of Rights?
    The first 10 amendments of the Constitution
    
    
36. What is the capital of the state you live in?
    Find it here
    
    
37. Who is the current Governor of the state you live in?
    Find it at FirstGov website
    
    
38. Who becomes President if both the President and Vice President die?
    Speaker of the House
    
    
39. Who is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
    John Roberts^*
    
    
40. What were the original 13 states?
    New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia.
    
    
41. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death"?
    Patrick Henry
    
    
42. Name some countries that were our enemies during World War II.
    Germany, Italy and Japan
    
    
43. What was the 49th state added to our Union (the United States)?
    Alaska
    
    
44. How many full terms can a President serve?
    2
    
    
45. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
    A civil rights leader
    
    
46. What are some of the requirements to be eligible to become President?
    Candidates for President must:
    • Be natural born citizens,
    • Be at least 35 years old,
    • Have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.
    
    
47. Why are there 100 Senators in the United States Senate?
    Each state elects two
    
    
48. Who nominates judges for the Supreme Court?
    The President
    
    
49. How many Supreme Court justices are there?
    9
    
    
50. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?
    To gain religious freedom
    
    
51. What is the executive of a state government called?
    Governor
    
    
52. What is the head executive of a city government called?
    Mayor
    
    
53. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by American colonists?
    Thanksgiving
    
    
54. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
    Thomas Jefferson
    
    
55. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
    July 4, 1776
    
    
56. What are some of the basic beliefs of the Declaration of Independence?
    That all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
    
    
57. What is the national anthem of the United States?
    The Start-Spangled Banner
    
    
58. Who wrote The Star-Spangled Banner?
    Francis Scott Key
    
    
59. What is the minimum voting age in the United States?
    18
    
    
60. Who signs bills into law?
    The President
    
    
61. What is the highest court in the United States?
    Supreme Court
    
    
62. Who was President during the Civil War?
    Abraham Lincoln
    
    
63. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
    It freed the slaves
    
    
64. What special group advises the President?
    The Cabinet
    
    
65. Which President is called the "Father of our Country"?
    George Washington
    
    
66. Which President was the first Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army and Navy?
    George Washington
    
    
67. What was the 50th state to be added to our Union (the United States)?
    Hawaii
    
    
68. Who helped the Pilgrims in America?
    The American Indians/Native Americans
    
    
69. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?
    The MayFlower
    
    
70. What were the 13 original states of the United States called before they were states?
    Colonies
    
    
71. What group has the power to declare war?
    Congress
    
    
72. Name the amendments that guarantee or address voting rights.
    15, 19, 24, 26
    
    
73. In what year was the Constitution written?
    1787
    
    
74. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
    The Bill of Rights
    
    
75. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?
    All people living in the United States
    
    
76. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?
    The Preamble
    
    
77. Who meets in the U.S. Capitol building?
    Congress
    
    
78. What is the name of the President's official home?
    The White House
    
    
79. Where is the White House located?
    Washington, DC (1600 Pennyslvania Avenue, N.W.)
    
    
80. Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the first amendment.
    The rights of freedom:
    • Of speech,
    • Of religion,
    • Of assembly and,
    • To petition the Government
    
    
81. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the United States military?
    The President
    
    
82. In what month do we vote for the President?
    November
    
    
83. In what month is the new President inaugurated?
    January
    
    
84. How many times may a Senator or Congressman be re-elected?
    No limit
    
    
85. What are the two major political parties in the United States today?
    Democratic and Republican
    
    
86. What is the executive branch of our government?
    The president, the Cabinet and departments under the cabinet members
    
    
87. Where does freedom of speech come from?
    The Bill of Rights
    
    
88. What U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form is used to apply for naturalized citizenship?
    Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
    
    
89. What kind of government does the United States have?
    A Republic
    
    
90. Name one of the purposes of the United Nations.
    For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems or to provide economic aid to many countries
    
    
91. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the United States.
    To obtain Federal Government jobs, to travel with a U.S. passport, or to petition for close relatives to come to the United States to live
    
    
92. Can the Constitution be changed?
    Yes
    
    
93. What is the most important right granted to United States citizens?
    The right to voite
    
    
94. What is the White House?
    The President's official home
    
    
95. What is the United States Capitol?
    The place where Congress meets
    
    
96. How many branches are there in the United States government?
    3
    
    

*NOTE: The answer to the questions marked with asterisks will change. Check to be sure you have the correct answer.

These Civics Flash Cards will help you increase your knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government. Immigrants applying for naturalization can use these flash cards as a study tool to prepare for the naturalization exam and teachers and volunteers can use these flash cards in the classroom.

Flash Cards (3.44 MB, 48 pages.)

Once you have prepared above questions, you can also practice USCIS Sample Test online.

Following are the questions that existed in previous version of sample questions but have been deleted in the most recent version. They are provided here below as some USCIS officers may still ask those questions.

• 10.
  What is the date of Independence Day?
  July 4th
  
  
• 28.
  What are the duties of Congress?
  To make laws
  
  
• 50.
  Who is the head of your local government?
  (insert local information)
  
  
• 76.
  Name 3 rights of freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
  
  1. The right of freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of government.
  2. The right to bear arms (the right to have weapons or own a gun, though subject to certain regulations).
  3. The government may not quarter, or house, soldiers in the people's homes during peacetime without the people's consent.
  4. The government may not search or take a person's property without a warrant.
  5. A person may not be tried twice for the same crime and does not have to testify against him/herself.
  6. A person charged with a crime still has some rights, such as the right to a trial and to have a lawyer.
  7. The right to trial by jury in most cases.
  8. Protects people against excessive or unreasonable fines or cruel and unusual punishment.
  9. The people have rights other than those mentioned in the Constitution.
  10. Any power not given to the federal government by the Constitution is a power of either the state or the people.
  
  
• 79. Which President freed the slaves?
  Abraham Lincoln
  
  
• 89. What is the United States Capital?
  The place where Congress meets
  
  

As USCIS can ask quesions other than the sample questions listed above, we have prepared some additional questions.

1. When were first 10 amendments (bill of rights) ratified?
   1791
   
   
2. Who designed the first American flag and when?
   Betsy Ross in 1776
   
   
3. Why do we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
   To respect for the flag and for the United States.
   
   
4. What do the colors in the flag mean?
   Red for courage, white for truth and blue for justice.
   
   
5. What is the first Consitution called?
   Articles of Confederation.
   
   
6. What were the principles of Constitution?
   Libery, equality and justice for all.
   
   
7. Who is the sheriff of your county?
   (Insert local information)
   
   
8. Do you swear that all your statements are true and correct?
   Yes
   
   
9. Where were you born?
   (Insert your information)
   
   
10. When were you born?
    (Insert your information)
    
    
11. Do you intend to live in the United States?
    Yes
    
    
12. Do you owe any Federal income tax?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
13. Have you ever been arrested?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
14. Have you ever committed a crime?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
15. Do you believe in the United States Constitution?
    Yes
    
    
16. How many times have you been married?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
17. Are you willing to take the full oath of allegiance to the United States?
    Yes
    
    
18. How many children do you have?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
19. Do you receive welfare or money from the government?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
20. Have you been out of the United States since you arrived?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
21. When were you lawfully admitted for permanent residence?
    (Answer truthfully)
    
    
22. Can you speak, read and write English?
    Yes
    
    
23. Why do you want to be a United States citizen?
    Right to vote
    Travel freely to many countries with US passport
    
    
24. What is a republic?
    It is a government elected by the people
    
    
25. How do cabinet officers get their positions?
    They are appointed by the President with consent of the Senate
    
    
26. How long do cabinet officers serve?
    As long as the president wishes
    
    
27. Why do we have three branches of government?
    Three branches of government divide government power
    
    
28. When did your state become a state?
    (Insert local information)
    
    
29. How many electoral votes does your state have for President?
    no. of senators (2) + no. of representatives in your state
    
    
30. What are the principles of the Constitution?
    liberty, equality and justice
    
    
31. Who were the first three presidents?
    George Washington
    John Adams
    Thomas Jefferson
    
    
32. Which Presidents were assassintated (killed) in office?
    Abraham Lincoln
    James Garfield
    William McKinley
    John F. Kennedy
    
    
33. How many United States Representatives does each state have?
    The number of United States Representatives from each state depends on the population of the state.
    
    
34. How many United States representatives does your state have?
    (Insert local information)
    
    
35. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
    It is the beginning of the United States
    
    
36. Who was Abraham Lincoln?
    He was the 16th President. He served during the Civil war.
    
    
37. Can you become president? Why?
    No. I am not a native-born United States citizen.
    
    
38. What is the cabinet?
    It is a group of 15 people who help the President enforce the laws.
    
    
39. What form or what kind of government does the United States have?
    The United States government is a repubilc or a democracy.
    
    
40. Are you a Communist? Do you believe in communism?
    No. No.
    
    
41. Are you willing to bear arms for the United States?
    Yes
    
    
42. Who makes the laws for your states?
    (Insert local information)
    
    
43. How many parts of the legislative branch of your state government?
    (Insert local information)
    
    
44. What are the parts of the legislative branch of your state government called?
    (Insert local information)
    
    
45. What is the Governor's job?
    To enforce the laws of the state
    
    
46. Who makes the laws for your county?
    Board of Supervisors.
    
    
47. What is "Pledge of Allegiance"?
    We show our loyalty to the flag with the following "Pledge of Allegiance", authored by Francis Bellamy in 1892.
    
    I pledge allegiance to the flag
    of the United States of America
    And to the Republic for which it stands
    One nation under God, indivisible
    With liberty and justice for all