USCIS Civics Test — 2008 Practice

Question 1 of 10

Integrated Civics

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

A Indian Ocean

B Atlantic Ocean

C Arctic Ocean

D Pacific Ocean

Explanation

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

Question 2 of 10

Integrated Civics

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

A Indian Ocean

B Arctic Ocean

C Atlantic Ocean

D Pacific Ocean

Explanation

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

Question 3 of 10

American History

What is one reason colonists came to America?

A to gain U.S. citizenship

B to fight the Civil War

C to build the railroads

D religious freedom and economic opportunity

Explanation

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

Question 4 of 10

Integrated Civics

Name one U.S. territory.

A Cuba

B Puerto Rico

C Alaska

D Hawaii

Explanation

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

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 In Order to

B Of the People

C We the People

D Life and Liberty

Explanation

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

Question 6 of 10

American History

Why did the colonists fight the British?

A because the British wanted to free the slaves

B because the British were Catholics

C because the British banned slavery

D because of high taxes without representation

Explanation

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

Question 7 of 10

American History

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

A Africans

B Native Americans

C Asians

D Europeans

Explanation

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

Question 8 of 10

American Government

What is the supreme law of the land?

A the Constitution

B the Bill of Rights

C the Federalist Papers

D the Declaration of Independence

Explanation

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

Question 9 of 10

American History

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

A the French

B American Indians (Native Americans)

C the Spanish

D the British

Explanation

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

Question 10 of 10

Integrated Civics

Name one state that borders Canada.

A Texas

B Florida

C Michigan

D California

Explanation

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

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