53. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Official answer:
- Nine (9)
Why? There have been nine seats since 1869. One of them is for the Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court and the states: civics questions 53–62 with answers
From the 2025 civics test (128 questions). Read each question, the official answers and why. Press Listen to hear the question and the answer.
🗺️ Ready to test yourself?
Play level 6: 8 questions. Use the timer, or turn it off.
Play this level54. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Official answer:
- Five (5)
Why? Five is a majority of the nine justices, and the majority decides the case.
- justice: a judge on the Supreme Court
55. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
Official answers:
- (For) life
- Lifetime appointment
- (Until) retirement
Why? Justices serve until they die, retire, or are removed. The president cannot fire them.
- justice: a judge on the Supreme Court
56. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
Official answers:
- To be independent (of politics)
- To limit outside (political) influence
Why? Justices never run for election again, so they can decide cases fairly without fear of losing their jobs.
- independent: free, not controlled by others
57. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Official answers:
- John Roberts
- John G. Roberts, Jr.
- Roberts
Why? Roberts has been Chief Justice since 2005. This can change, so check uscis.gov/
This answer can change. Check uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates before your interview.
58. Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Official answers:
- Print paper money
- Mint coins
- Declare war
- Create an army
- Make treaties
- Set foreign policy
Why? States cannot print money or make treaties. The Constitution gives these powers only to the national government.
- federal: about the national government in Washington, D.C.
59. Name one power that is only for the states.
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 run many parts of daily life, like driving rules, schools, and police.
- license: an official paper that lets you do something
60. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Official answer:
- (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Why? It is the last amendment in the Bill of Rights. It keeps the national government’s power limited.
- federal: about the national government in Washington, D.C.
61. Who is the governor of your state now?★ 65/20
Say the name of your state’s governor now. Find it at usa.gov/
- governor: the elected leader of a state
62. What is the capital of your state?
Say the name of your state’s capital city. Find it at usa.gov/
- capital: the city where a state’s government works
More practice
Take a civics practice test · 65/20 questions · 100 questions of the 2008 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.