USCIS Naturalization Test Revision Pilot Test

USCIS Naturalization Test Revision Pilot Test

OMB Control Number: 1615-0126

OMB Expiration Date: 12/31/2021

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 12 minutes per response.  Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Office of Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 131 M. St., NE, Washington, DC 20002. OMB No. 1615-0121.  Do not return a completed form to this address.

DHS Privacy Notice

AUTHORITIES: The information requested for this pilot test, and the associated evidence, is collected in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 312; 8 U.S.C. Section 1423

PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information is to assist USCIS with determining whether the Naturalization Civics test is revised in a fair and transparent manner, and that the test meets best standardized test practices. DHS will use the information you provide to improve future Naturalization tests.

DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, may limit USCIS from obtaining public feedback about the fairness of the revised naturalization test.

ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this pilot test and any additional requested evidence with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses described in the associated published system of records notice [DHS/ALL-002 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Mailing and Other Lists System] and the published privacy impact assessment [DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups] which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share this information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the interest of national security.

American Government and Civics

Principles and Form of Government of the United States

1. What is the form of government of the United States?

• Republic

• Constitution-based federal republic

2. What is the rule of law?

• Everyone must follow the law

• Leaders must obey the law

• Government must obey the law

• No one is above the law

3. Congress passes bills, but the president can veto them. What is this an example of?

• Checks and balances

4. One branch of government writes laws and one branch of government enforces them. What is this an example of?

• Separation of powers

Influences

5. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

• Equality

• Liberty

• Social Contract

• Natural Rights

• Limited Government

• Self-Government

6. There are many important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Name two.

• Equality

• Liberty

• Social Contract

• Natural Rights

• Limited Government

• Self-Government

7. Why are there three branches of government?

• So one part does not become too powerful

• Checks and balances

8. There are three branches of government. Why?

• So one part does not become too powerful

• Checks and balances

9. Name one document that influenced the U.S. Constitution.

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Federalist Papers

• Anti-Federalist Papers

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• Mayflower Compact

• Iroquois Great Law of Peace

10. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Federalist Papers

• Anti-Federalist Papers

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• Mayflower Compact

• Iroquois Great Law of Peace

11. Why were the Federalist Papers important?

• They helped people understand the U.S. Constitution.

• They supported passing the U.S. Constitution.

12. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

• (James) Madison

• (Alexander) Hamilton

• (John) Jay

• Publius

Declaration of Independence

13. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

• July 4, 1776

14. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

• Thomas Jefferson

15. The words "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are in what founding document?

• Declaration of Independence

16. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

• Declaration of Independence

17. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

• It says America is free from British control

• It says all people are created equal

• It identifies inherent rights

• It identifies individual freedoms

U.S. Constitution

18. What founding document was written in 1787?

• (U.S.) Constitution

19. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

• Forms the government

• Defines powers of government

• Defines the parts of government

• Protects the rights of the people

20. Name the three branches of government.

• Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

• Congress, President, and the Courts

21. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People.” What does "We the People" mean?

• Self-government

• Popular sovereignty

• Consent of the governed

• People should govern themselves

• (Example of) social contract

Article I: Legislative Branch

22. What is one part of the legislative branch?

• House (of Representatives)

• Senate

23. What is part of the legislative branch?

• Congress

• House (of Representatives)

• Senate

24. What part of the federal government writes laws?

• (U.S.) Congress

• (U.S. or national) legislature

• Legislative branch

25. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

• Senate and House (of Representatives)

26. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

• Two (2) years

27. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

• To more closely follow public opinion

28. U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators. Why?

• To more closely follow public opinion

29. Why do some states have more representatives than other states?

• (Because of) the state’s population

• (Because) they have more people

• (Because) some states have more people

30. Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

• (Because of) the state’s population

• (Because) they have more people

• (Because) some states have more people

31. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

• Four hundred thirty-five (435)

32. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

• Citizens from their (congressional) district

33. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

• Citizens in their congressional district

• Citizens in their district

34. How many senators does each state have?

• Two (2)

35. Why does each state have 2 senators?

• Equal representation (for small states)

• The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

36. How many U.S. senators are there?

• One hundred (100)

37. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

• Six (6) years

38. Who does a U.S. senator represent?

• Citizens of their state

39. Who elects U.S. senators?

• Citizens from their state

40. Who signs bills to become laws?

• The President (of the United States)

41. Who vetoes bills?

• The President (of the United States)

42. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

• Write laws

• Declare war

• Make the federal budget

Article II: Executive Branch

43. What is part of the Executive Branch?

• President (of the United States)

• Cabinet

• Federal departments and agencies

44. The Executive Branch has many parts. Name one.

• President (of the United States)

• Cabinet

• Federal departments and agencies

45. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

• Executive branch

46. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

• Four (4) years

47. Why is the President limited to serve only two terms?

• (Because of) the Twenty-Second Amendment

• To keep the President from becoming too powerful

48. The President can serve only two terms. Why?

• (Because of) the Twenty-Second Amendment

• To keep the President from becoming too powerful

49. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

• The Vice President

50. Why is the Electoral College important?

• It decides who is elected President

• It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection

51. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. military?

• The President (of the United States)

52. Who appoints federal judges?

• The President (of the United States)

53. Name one power of the President.

• Sign bills into law

• Veto bills

• Enforce laws

• Commander-in-Chief (of the military)

• Chief diplomat

54. What does the President’s Cabinet do?

• Advises the President

55. What are two cabinet-level positions?

• Attorney General

• Secretary of Agriculture

• Secretary of Commerce

• Secretary of Defense

• Secretary of Education

• Secretary of Energy

• Secretary of Health and Human Services

• Secretary of Homeland Security

• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

• Secretary of the Interior

• Secretary of Labor

• Secretary of State

• Secretary of Transportation

• Secretary of the Treasury

• Secretary of Veterans Affairs

• Vice President

Article III: Judicial Branch

56. What is one part of the Judicial Branch?

• Supreme Court

• Federal Courts

57. What is the highest court in the United States?

• Supreme Court

58. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

• (For) life

• Lifetime appointment

• (Until) retirement

59. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

• To be independent (of politics)

• To limit outside (political) influence

60. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

• Nine (9)

61. How many justices are usually needed to decide a case?

• Five (5)

62. What does the judicial branch do?

• Reviews laws

• Explains laws

• Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law

• Decides if a law goes against the U.S. Constitution

Article V: Amendments

63. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

• Amendments

• The amendment process

64. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

• Twenty-seven (27)

Article VI: Supremacy Clause

65. What is the supreme law of the land?

• (U.S.) Constitution

Powers of Government

66. What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?

• (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people

67. Name one power that is only for the federal government.

• Declare war

• Create an army

• Make treaties

• Set foreign policy

• Prints paper money

• Mint coins

68. Name one power that is only for the states.

• Provide schooling and education

• Provide protection (police)

• Provide safety (fire departments)

• Give a driver’s license

• Approve zoning and land use

Rights and Responsibilities

69. What does the Bill of Rights protect?

• (The basic) rights of Americans

• (The basic) rights of people living in the United States

70. What does the Bill of Rights do?

• Protects the rights of all Americans

• Protects the rights of all people in the United States

• Limits the power of the federal government

71. What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?

• Freedom of expression

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of assembly

• Freedom to petition the government

• Freedom of religion

• The right to bear arms

72. Everyone living in the United States has rights. Name three.

• Freedom of expression

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of assembly

• Freedom to petition the government

• Freedom of religion

• The right to bear arms

73. Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?

• Citizens

• Citizens of the United States

• U.S. citizens

74. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. 

• Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).

• You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.

• Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)

• A male citizen of any race (can vote).

75. What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?

• Vote

• Run for office

• Join a political party

• Help with a campaign

• Join a civic group

• Join a community group

• Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue)

• Contact elected officials

• Support or oppose an issue or policy

• Write to a newspaper

76. What is one way Americans can serve their country?

• Vote

• Pay taxes

• Obey the law

• Serve in the military

• Run for office

• Work for local, state, or federal government

77. How can people become United States citizens?

• Naturalize

• Derive citizenship

• Be born in the United States

78. Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

• Required by law

• All people pay to fund the federal government

• Required by the Constitution (Sixteenth amendment)

• Civic duty

79. It important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.

• Required by law

• Civic duty

• Makes the draft fair, if needed

80. Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

• Be loyal to the United States

• Give up loyalty to other countries

• Obey the laws of the United States

• Defend the U.S. Constitution

• Serve in the military (if needed)

• Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)

Economics

81. What is the economic system of the United States?

• Capitalism

• Free market economy

82. Name one principle of the American economy.

• Capitalism

• Supply and demand

• Private ownership

• Freedom to participate

American Symbols

83. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?

• Out of many, one

• We all become one

84. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

• (Because there were) 13 original colonies

• (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies

85. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

• (Because there is) one star for each state

• (Because) each star represents a state

• (Because there are) 50 states

86. What is the name of the national anthem?

• The Star-Spangled Banner

87. What is the capital of the United States?

• Washington, D.C.

88. What is the capital of your state?

• Answers will vary

89. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

• The United States

• The flag

90. What is Memorial Day?

• A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service

91. What is Independence Day?

• A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)

• The country’s birthday

92. What is Veterans Day?

• A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military

• A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

93. Name three national U.S. holidays.

• New Year’s Day

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday)

• Memorial Day

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Columbus Day

• Veterans Day

• Thanksgiving Day

• Christmas Day

94. Name one reason why the Statue of Liberty is important.

• It is a symbol of freedom

• It is a symbol of democracy

• It was a gift from France

95. The Statue of Liberty is important for many reasons. Name one.

• It was a gift from France

• It is a symbol of freedom

• It is a symbol of democracy

Elected Officials

96. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States.

97. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States

98. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.

99. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

• Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

1. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?*

• Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. senators.]

101. Name your U.S. representative.

• Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) representatives in Congress.]

102. Who is the governor of your state now?

• Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a governor.]

American History

Early American History

1. Who lived in what is now the United States before the Europeans arrived?

• American Indians

• Native Americans

104. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

• American Indians

• Native Americans

105. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

• Cherokee

• Navajo

• Sioux

• Chippewa

• Choctaw

• Pueblo

• Apache

• Iroquois

• Creek

• Blackfeet

• Seminole

• Cheyenne

• Arawak

• Shawnee

• Mohegan

• Huron

• Oneida

• Lakota

• Crow

• Teton

• Hopi

• Inuit

106. Name one reason the colonists came to America.

• Freedom

• Political liberty

• Religious freedom

• Economic opportunity

• Escape persecution

107. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.

• Freedom

• Political liberty

• Religious freedom

• Economic opportunity

• Escape persecution

108. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

• Africans

• People from Africa

109. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

• High taxes

• Taxation without representation

• British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)

• They did not have self-government

• Boston Massacre

• Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)

• Stamp Act

• Sugar Act

• Townshend Acts

• Intolerable (Coercive) Acts

110. The Americans declared independence from Britain for many reasons Name one.

• High taxes

• Taxation without representation

• British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)

• They did not have self-government

• Boston Massacre

• Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)

• Stamp Act

• Sugar Act

• Townshend Acts

• Intolerable (Coercive) Acts

111. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?

• American Revolution

• The (American) Revolutionary War

• War for (American) Independence

112. Name one important event of the American Revolution.

• (Battle of) Bunker Hill

• Declaration of Independence

• Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)

• (Battle of) Saratoga

• Valley Forge (Encampment)

• (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)

113. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

• (Battle of) Bunker Hill

• Declaration of Independence

• Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)

• (Battle of) Saratoga

• Valley Forge (Encampment)

• (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)

114. Name five of the original 13 original states.

• New Hampshire

• Massachusetts

• Rhode Island

• Connecticut

• New York

• New Jersey

• Pennsylvania

• Delaware

• Maryland

• Virginia

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• Georgia

115. There were original 13 original states. Name five.

• New Hampshire

• Massachusetts

• Rhode Island

• Connecticut

• New York

• New Jersey

• Pennsylvania

• Delaware

• Maryland

• Virginia

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• Georgia

116. What is one thing George Washington is famous for?

• “Father of Our Country”

• First President of the United States

• General of the Continental Army

• President of the Constitutional Convention

117. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

• “Father of Our Country”

• First President of the United States

• General of the Continental Army

• President of the Constitutional Convention

118. What is one thing Thomas Jefferson is famous for?

• Writer of the Declaration of Independence

• Third President of the United States

• Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)

• First Secretary of State

• Founded the University of Virginia

• Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom

119. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

• Writer of the Declaration of Independence

• Third President of the United States

• Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)

• First Secretary of State

• Founded the University of Virginia

• Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom

120. What happened in Philadelphia between May and September of 1787?

• The Constitution was written

• The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution

121. What founding document was written in Philadelphia between May and September of 1787?

• The Constitution

122. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

• Founded the first free public libraries

• First Postmaster General of the United States

• Helped write the Declaration of Independence

• Inventor

• U.S. diplomat

123. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

• Founded the first free public libraries

• First Postmaster General of the United States

• Helped write the Declaration of Independence

• Inventor

• U.S. diplomat

124. What is one thing James Madison is famous for?

• “Father of the Constitution”

• Fourth President of the United States

• President during the War of 1812

• One of the writers of the Federalist Papers

125. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

• “Father of the Constitution”

• Fourth President of the United States

• President during the War of 1812

• One of the writers of the Federalist Papers

126. What is one thing Alexander Hamilton is famous for?

• First Secretary of the Treasury

• One of the writers of the Federalist Papers

• Helped establish the First Bank of the United States

• Aide to General George Washington

• Member of the Continental Congress

127. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

• First Secretary of the Treasury

• One of the writers of the Federalist Papers

• Helped establish the First Bank of the United States

• Aide to General George Washington

• Member of the Continental Congress

128. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

• Louisiana Territory

• Louisiana

129. Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s

• Susan B. Anthony

• Elizabeth Cady Stanton

• Sojourner Truth

• Harriet Tubman

• Lucretia Mott

130. The women’s rights movement in the 1800s had many leaders. Name one.

• Susan B. Anthony

• Elizabeth Cady Stanton

• Sojourner Truth

• Harriet Tubman

• Lucretia Mott

131. What is one thing Abraham Lincoln is famous for?

• Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

• Saved (or preserved) the Union

• Led the United States during the Civil War

• Sixteenth President of the United States

• Delivered the Gettysburg Address

132. Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

• Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

• Saved (or preserved) the Union

• Led the United States during the Civil War

• Sixteenth President of the United States

• Delivered the Gettysburg Address

133. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

• The Civil War

134. What U.S. war ended slavery?

• The Civil War

135. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

• Freed the slaves

• Freed slaves in the Confederacy

• Freed slaves in the Confederate states

• Freed slaves in most Southern states

136. Name one important event of the Civil War.

• (Battle of) Fort Sumter

• Emancipation Proclamation

• (Battle of ) Vicksburg

• (Battle of) Gettysburg

• Sherman’s March

• (Surrender at) Appomattox

• Lincoln assassinated

137. The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

• (Battle of) Fort Sumter

• Emancipation Proclamation

• (Battle of ) Vicksburg

• (Battle of) Gettysburg

• Sherman’s March

• (Surrender at) Appomattox

• Lincoln assassinated

138. When did slavery end?

• After the Civil War

• During Reconstruction

• (With the) Thirteenth Amendment

• 1865

139. What amendment gives citizenship to all persons born in the United States?

• Fourteenth Amendment

140. When did all men get the right to vote?

• After the Civil War

• During Reconstruction

• (With the) Fifteenth Amendment

• 1870

141. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

• War of 1812

• Mexican-American War

• Civil War

• Spanish-American War

Recent American History

142. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

• World War I

• World War II

• Korean War

• Vietnam War

• (Persian) Gulf War

143. Name one example of an American innovation.

• Light bulb

• Automobile (cars, combustible engine)

• Skyscrapers

• Airplane

• Assembly line

• Landing on the moon

144. Why did the United States enter World War I?

• Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships

• To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)

• To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)

145. When did all women get the right to vote?

• 1920

• After World War I

• (With the) Nineteenth Amendment

146. What was the Great Depression?

• Longest economic recession in modern history

147. When did the Great Depression start?

• The Great Crash (1929)

• Stock market crash of 1929

1. What happened during the Great Depression?

• Banks failed.

• The stock market crashed.

• Many people were unemployed.

149. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

• (Franklin) Roosevelt

150. Why did the United States enter World War II?

• (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor

• Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor

• To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia)

• To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)

151. Who was the United States' main rival during the Cold War?

• Soviet Union

• USSR

• Russia

152. During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States?

• Communism

• Nuclear war

153. Why did the United States enter the Korean War?

• To stop the spread of communism

154. What is one thing Dwight Eisenhower is famous for?

• General during World War II

• President at the end of (during) the Korean War

• Thirty-fourth President of the United States

• Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)

155. Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.

• General during World War II

• President at the end of (during) the Korean War

• Thirty-fourth President of the United States

• Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)

156. What did the Civil Rights Movement do?

• Fought to end racial discrimination

157. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

• Fought for civil rights

• Worked for equality for all Americans

• Worked to ensure that people would "not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character"

158. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.

• Fought for civil rights

• Worked for equality for all Americans

• Worked to ensure that people would "not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character"

159. Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War?

• To stop the spread of communism

160. Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?

• To force Iraqi military from Kuwait

161. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?

• Terrorists attacked the United States

• Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City

• Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia

• Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania

162. Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

• (Global) War on Terror

• War in Afghanistan

• War in Iraq

For Internal Use Only

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Rev. 1/7/2020