82. What founding document was written in 1787?
Official answer:
- (U.S.) Constitution
Why? Leaders wrote it in Philadelphia in 1787. It is still the supreme law of the land.
- founding: starting or creating something, like a country
The founders: civics questions 82–89 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.
83. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
Official answers:
- (James) Madison
- (Alexander) Hamilton
- (John) Jay
- Publius
Why? Madison, Hamilton and John Jay wrote 85 essays together. They signed them with one name: “Publius.”
84. Why were the Federalist Papers important?
Official answers:
- They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
- They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
Why? The essays came out in New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788. They asked people to approve the Constitution.
- passage: when a law or plan is officially approved
85. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
Official answers:
- Founded the first free public libraries
- First Postmaster General of the United States
- Helped write the Declaration of Independence
- Inventor
- U.S. diplomat
Why? Franklin invented the lightning rod and bifocal glasses. He also studied electricity with a kite.
86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.★ 65/20
Official answers:
- “Father of Our Country”
- First president of the United States
- General of the Continental Army
- President of the Constitutional Convention
Why? Washington led the army in the Revolution. Then he was president for two terms, from 1789 to 1797.
87. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Official answers:
- 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
Why? Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. As president, he bought Louisiana from France in 1803.
88. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
Official answers:
- “Father of the Constitution”
- Fourth president of the United States
- President during the War of 1812
- One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
Why? Madison planned much of the Constitution and wrote the Bill of Rights. He was president during the War of 1812.
89. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
Official answers:
- 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
Why? Hamilton built the nation’s money system. You can see his face on the $10 bill.
- treasury: the government department that manages money
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.
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