119. What is the capital of the United States?
Official answer:
- Washington, D.C.
Why? D.C. means District of Columbia. It is not a state. Congress, the White House and the Supreme Court are there.
- capital: the city where the government works
Symbols and holidays: civics questions 119–128 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.
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Play this level120. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
Official answers:
- New York (Harbor)
- Liberty Island
Why? It stands on Liberty Island. France gave the statue to the U.S. in 1886 as a sign of friendship.
- harbor: a safe place on the coast where ships stay
121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?★ 65/20
Official answers:
- (Because there were) 13 original colonies
- (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
Why? The 13 colonies became the first 13 states. The flag has seven red stripes and six white stripes.
- colony: a land ruled by another country far away
122. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Official answers:
- (Because there is) one star for each state
- (Because) each star represents a state
- (Because there are) 50 states
Why? A star is added when a new state joins. The 50th star was added in 1960, after Hawaii became a state.
123. What is the name of the national anthem?
Official answer:
- The Star-Spangled Banner
Why? Francis Scott Key wrote the words in 1814, during the War of 1812. It became the anthem in 1931.
- anthem: a country’s official song
124. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
Official answers:
- Out of many, one
- We all become one
Why? It is Latin. Many states joined to make one country. You can see these words on U.S. coins.
- motto: a short sentence that says what a group believes
125. What is Independence Day?
Official answers:
- A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
- The country’s birthday
Why? On July 4, Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence with fireworks, parades and picnics.
126. Name three national U.S. holidays.★ 65/20
Official answers:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
In the interview, name three. For example: Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Why? There are 11 federal holidays. On these days, federal offices close and many people do not work.
127. What is Memorial Day?
Official answer:
- A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
Why? It is the last Monday in May. Many people visit cemeteries and put flags on soldiers’ graves.
128. What is Veterans Day?
Official answers:
- A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
- A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)
Why? It is on November 11. It honors all veterans, living or dead, who served in the military.
- veteran: a person who served in the military
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.