1. What is the supreme law of the land?
Official answer:
- the Constitution
Why? All other laws must follow the Constitution. No law can go against it.
Principles of American democracy: civics questions 1–12 with answers
From the 2008 civics test (100 questions). Read each question, the official answers and why. Press Listen to hear the question and the answer.
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Play this level2. What does the Constitution do?
Official answers:
- sets up the government
- defines the government
- protects basic rights of Americans
Why? The Constitution is the plan for the government. It also protects the basic rights of Americans.
3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
Official answer:
- We the People
Why? The power comes from the people. The people choose their government.
- self-government: people choose and control their own government
4. What is an amendment?
Official answers:
- a change (to the Constitution)
- an addition (to the Constitution)
Why? The Constitution can change over time. Each change or addition is called an amendment.
- amendment: a change or an addition to the Constitution
5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
Official answer:
- the Bill of Rights
Why? The first ten amendments were added in 1791. They protect basic rights, like freedom of speech.
- amendment: a change or an addition to the Constitution
6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?★ 65/20
Official answers:
- speech
- religion
- assembly
- press
- petition the government
Why? The First Amendment protects five freedoms: speech, religion, assembly, press and petition.
- assembly: people meeting together in a group
- petition: a written request to the government
7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
Official answer:
- twenty-seven (27)
Why? The first ten are the Bill of Rights. Seventeen more were added later.
- amendment: a change or an addition to the Constitution
8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Official answers:
- announced our independence (from Great Britain)
- declared our independence (from Great Britain)
- said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
Why? In 1776 the colonies said they were free from British rule.
- independence: being free from another country's control
9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
Official answers:
- life
- liberty
- pursuit of happiness
In the interview, name two. For example: Life and liberty.
Why? The Declaration says all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
- liberty: freedom
- pursuit: trying to get something
10. What is freedom of religion?
Official answer:
- You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
Why? The government cannot choose a religion for you. You are also free to have no religion.
11. What is the economic system in the United States?★ 65/20
Official answers:
- capitalist economy
- market economy
Why? People and companies own businesses. Prices come from the free market.
- economy: how a country makes, buys and sells things
12. What is the “rule of law”?
Official answers:
- Everyone must follow the law.
- Leaders must obey the law.
- Government must obey the law.
- No one is above the law.
Why? The same laws are for everyone, including leaders and the government.
More practice
Take a civics practice test · 65/20 questions · 128 questions of the 2025 test
The real test is oral: the officer asks, and you answer out loud. Read each answer above out loud two or three times.
Next, practice the English of your interview: citizenship interview questions.