USCIS Civics Test — 2008 Practice

Question 1 of 10

American History

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

A Benjamin Franklin

B John Adams

C George Washington

D Thomas Jefferson

Explanation

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

Question 2 of 10

American Government

What does the Constitution do?

A sets up the government and protects basic rights

B writes the federal budget

C declares war on Britain

D elects the President

Explanation

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

Question 3 of 10

American History

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

A the Spanish

B the British

C American Indians (Native Americans)

D the French

Explanation

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

Question 4 of 10

American Government

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

A We the People

B Life and Liberty

C In Order to

D Of the People

Explanation

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

Question 5 of 10

Integrated Civics

Name one U.S. territory.

A Puerto Rico

B Hawaii

C Cuba

D Alaska

Explanation

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

Question 6 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 7 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.

Question 8 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 9 of 10

American History

Why did the colonists fight the British?

A because the British banned slavery

B because the British were Catholics

C because the British wanted to free the slaves

D because of high taxes without representation

Explanation

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

Question 10 of 10

American History

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

A Native Americans

B Asians

C Africans

D Europeans

Explanation

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

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