USCIS Civics Test — 2008 Practice

Question 1 of 10

Integrated Civics

Name one state that borders Canada.

A Florida

B Texas

C Michigan

D California

Explanation

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

Question 2 of 10

American Government

What does the Constitution do?

A elects the President

B sets up the government and protects basic rights

C declares war on Britain

D writes the federal budget

Explanation

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

Question 3 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 religious freedom and economic opportunity

D to build the railroads

Explanation

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

Question 4 of 10

American Government

What is the supreme law of the land?

A the Federalist Papers

B the Constitution

C the Declaration of Independence

D the Bill of Rights

Explanation

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

Question 5 of 10

American History

Why did the colonists fight the British?

A because of high taxes without representation

B because the British wanted to free the slaves

C because the British banned slavery

D because the British were Catholics

Explanation

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

Question 6 of 10

American History

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

A Benjamin Franklin

B Thomas Jefferson

C George Washington

D John Adams

Explanation

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

Question 7 of 10

American Government

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

A the Federalist Papers

B the Bill of Rights

C the Articles of Confederation

D the Declaration of Independence

Explanation

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

Question 8 of 10

Integrated Civics

Name one U.S. territory.

A Puerto Rico

B Cuba

C Alaska

D Hawaii

Explanation

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

Question 9 of 10

American History

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

A the French

B the Spanish

C the British

D American Indians (Native Americans)

Explanation

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

Question 10 of 10

American Government

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

A Of the People

B We the People

C Life and Liberty

D In Order to

Explanation

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

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