The Cabinet, the courts and the parties: civics questions 36⁠–⁠47 with answers

Official answers:

• 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
• Attorney General
• Vice President

In the interview, name two. For example: Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.

Why? Cabinet members lead government departments. Most of their titles start with “Secretary of.”

• cabinet: the group of top helpers of the President

Official answers:

• reviews laws
• explains laws
• resolves disputes (disagreements)
• decides if a law goes against the Constitution

Why? The courts explain laws and decide if a law goes against the Constitution.

• judicial: about courts and judges

Official answer:

• the Supreme Court

Why? The Supreme Court makes the final decision. Other courts must follow it.

Official answer:

• nine (9)

Why? Congress sets this number, and it has been nine since 1869. It can change, so check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before the interview.

This answer can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.

• justice: a judge on the Supreme Court

Official answers:

• John Roberts
• John G. Roberts, Jr.

Why? John Roberts has led the Court since 2005. The answer can change after an appointment, so check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before the interview.

This answer can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.

• justice: a judge on the Supreme Court

Official answers:

• to print money
• to declare war
• to create an army
• to make treaties

Why? Some powers are only for the national government, like money, war, the army and treaties.

• federal: about the national government, not a state
• treaty: a written agreement between countries

Official answers:

• provide schooling and education
• provide protection (police)
• provide safety (fire departments)
• give a driver’s license
• approve zoning and land use

Why? States handle local life: schools, police, fire departments, driver’s licenses and land use.

Say the name of your state’s governor. Find it at usa.gov/states-and-territories. In D.C., say D.C. does not have a governor.

• governor: the leader of a state

Say the name of your state’s capital city. Find it at usa.gov/states-and-territories. In D.C., say D.C. is not a state and has no capital. In a territory, name the territory’s capital.

• capital: the city where the government works

Official answer:

• Democratic and Republican

Why? These two parties have led U.S. politics for over 150 years. Their symbols are a donkey and an elephant.

Official answer:

• Republican (Party)

Why? The answer can change after an election, so check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before the interview.

This answer can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.

Official answers:

• Mike Johnson
• Johnson
• James Michael Johnson (birth name)

Why? The House chooses its Speaker, so the answer can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before the interview.

This answer can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.