Citizenship interview questions: what to say in English
At the start of the citizenship (naturalization) interview, a USCIS officer greets you, asks you to promise to tell the truth, checks your green card and photo ID, makes small talk, and asks for your name and address. Then the officer goes through your N-400 application and asks about your family, your trips outside the United States, your jobs and your taxes, and you take an English test and a civics test.
You reply in short, clear sentences, and you stay honest. If you do not hear or understand something, you may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase it. Here is what the officer says and what to say back, in simple English, including how to ask for help. Listen to each line, then practice with Officer Grant in the game. This is English practice. It does not tell you what to answer.
Useful phrases
Good morning. Yes, I am.
Answer the first question clearly, and say hello.
Yes, I do. I promise.
The short, clear answer when the officer asks you to promise to tell the truth.
Of course. Here are my green card and my ID.
A polite way to hand over the papers the officer asks for.
I'm fine, thank you. A little nervous.
Honest small talk. It is OK to say you feel nervous.
I did, thanks. The directions were clear.
Answer a small-talk question with a short sentence and one detail.
My first name is Ana, and my last name is Lopez.
Say your full name the way it is on your papers. Use your own name.
I live at 25 Pine Street, Apartment 4.
Say your address: number, street and apartment. Use your own address.
About four years. I moved in 2022.
Give a time and a year. Use your own dates.
Yes, of course. I'll tell you if I have a question.
A calm answer when the officer starts to go through your form. You may ask if something is not clear.
I'm married. We got married six years ago.
Marital status means married, single, divorced or widowed. Use your own facts.
Yes, two. A daughter and a son.
Say the number first. Use your own facts.
I took one trip. I visited my sister in Canada for a week in 2023.
Say yes or no, then the place, the length and the year. Use your own facts.
I work at a hardware store. I'm a cashier.
Say the place and your job. Use your own facts.
I took an English class at a community college in 2022.
Say the school and the year. Use your own facts.
I have. I file it every year.
A tax return is the form you send to the government each year. Answer honestly, with your own facts.
No, it's all correct. Thank you for checking.
The officer asks if you want to change anything. Say only what is true.
I'm sorry, could you say that again, please?
Ask the officer to repeat a question. USCIS says you may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase a question.
I'm sorry, I don't know the word "occupation". I think it means my job.
Say the word you do not know, then say what you think it means. Use your own words.
No, that's a mistake. My apartment is number 4.
If a fact on your form is wrong, say so politely and give the right fact. Say only what is true. Use your own facts.
Yes, of course. I'll read it slowly and clearly.
The reading test: you read a sentence out loud. Slow and clear is better than fast.
I'm ready. I'll listen carefully and write it as clearly as I can.
The writing test: the officer says a sentence and you write it.
I understand. I'll ask if I need a question repeated.
Before the civics test, a calm way to say you know you may ask.
Thank you. Could you explain this word to me, please? I want to understand it.
Ask about a word on a paper before you leave, when the word is really not clear to you.
Level 1 (A2): Start your interview
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Good morning. Please come in and sit down. Are you here for your citizenship interview?”
Good answer: “Good morning. Yes, I am.”
Why: Answer the question first. "Yes, I am" is clear, and a greeting is polite.
Avoid: “Yes. I hope this is fast. I have other things to do today.” (too rude) · “Maybe. I got a letter, but I'm not sure.” (too vague)
“I'm Officer Grant. Before we start, please raise your right hand. Do you promise to tell the truth today?”
Good answer: “Yes, I do. I promise.”
Why: The officer asks you to promise to tell the truth. "Yes, I do" is the clear, short answer.
Avoid: “I'll try.” (too vague) · “Yes. How many questions will you ask me today?” (off topic)
“May I see your green card and a photo ID, please?”
Good answer: “Of course. Here are my green card and my ID.”
Why: Hand over the papers and say one polite sentence. Keep them ready before you go in.
Avoid: “Why? You already have my file.” (too rude) · “One moment. They are in my bag.” (too vague)
“Now, how are you feeling today?”
Good answer: “I'm fine, thank you. A little nervous.”
Why: Small talk is part of the start. Be honest and short. It is OK to say you feel a little nervous.
Avoid: “Terrible. I didn't sleep at all, and I hate interviews.” (too negative) · “Fine.” (too short)
“Did you find our office easily this morning?”
Good answer: “I did, thanks. The directions were clear.”
Why: Answer the question that was asked: yes or no, and one short detail.
Avoid: “No. The signs are bad.” (too rude) · “No. It was hard.” (too negative)
“Please tell me your full name.”
Good answer: “My first name is Ana, and my last name is Lopez.”
Why: Say your own full name, first name and last name, the way it is on your papers.
Avoid: “Everyone calls me Ana.” (too vague) · “Lopez.” (too short)
“And what is your address now?”
Good answer: “I live at 25 Pine Street, Apartment 4.”
Why: Say your street address clearly: number, street and apartment. Say your own address.
Avoid: “Near the big park, in the north of the city.” (too vague) · “It is private.” (too rude)
“Thank you. How long have you lived at your current address?”
Good answer: “About four years. I moved in 2022.”
Why: Give a clear time, like "about four years", and the year. Say your own time.
Avoid: “A long time. I don't remember exactly.” (too vague) · “I have lived in the United States for many years.” (gives the wrong idea)
Level 2 (B1): Questions about your N-400
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Thank you. Now I'll go through your N-400 application with you. Please tell me if a question is not clear.”
Good answer: “Yes, of course. I'll tell you if I have a question.”
Why: The officer goes through the answers on your form with you. If you do not understand a question, say so. Do not guess.
Avoid: “Sure. I may not understand everything, so I'll just say yes to all of it.” (gives the wrong idea) · “Why do we need to go over it again? I already filled it out.” (too rude)
“What is your marital status, and are you married now?”
Good answer: “I'm married. We got married six years ago.”
Why: Marital status means if you are married, single, divorced or widowed. Answer for today, with your own facts.
Avoid: “Why does my family matter for citizenship?” (too rude) · “Sort of. It's hard to explain.” (too vague)
“Do you have any children?”
Good answer: “Yes, two. A daughter and a son.”
Why: Say the number first, then add one short detail. Use your own facts: yes or no, and how many.
Avoid: “A few. I don't remember how many.” (too vague) · “Yes. Do you have children too?” (off topic)
“Have you taken any trips outside the United States in the last five years?”
Good answer: “I took one trip. I visited my sister in Canada for a week in 2023.”
Why: Say yes or no first. If you took trips, give the place, the length and the year. Use your own facts.
Avoid: “Only short trips, so I didn't write them down.” (not safe) · “I don't want to say where I went.” (too vague)
“Next is your work, so where do you work now?”
Good answer: “I work at a hardware store. I'm a cashier.”
Why: Say the place and your job. If you do not have a job now, say that clearly. Use your own facts.
Avoid: “Somewhere downtown. It's a small place.” (too vague) · “I'm looking for a better job. Do you know of any?” (off topic)
“Did you study at a school or college in the last five years?”
Good answer: “I took an English class at a community college in 2022.”
Why: Say yes or no first. If you studied, name the school and the year. Use your own facts.
Avoid: “Why do you need to know about my school?” (too rude) · “Maybe. I took some classes somewhere.” (too vague)
“The next questions are about taxes, so have you filed your federal tax return every year?”
Good answer: “I have. I file it every year.”
Why: A tax return is the form you send to the government each year to report your pay. Say yes or no, honestly. If you are not sure, say what is true.
Avoid: “My cousin does it for me, so I don't want to say.” (too vague) · “I forgot some years. It's not a big deal.” (too casual)
“That's all my questions about your form. Is there anything you want to change or add?”
Good answer: “No, it's all correct. Thank you for checking.”
Why: If something on the form is wrong, say so now: "Yes, one thing is not correct." Say only what is true.
Avoid: “I don't know. I never read the form carefully.” (too casual) · “Yes. When will I get my result?” (off topic)
Level 3 (B2): Ask the officer to repeat or explain
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Right, so before we start, how did you get here this morning, and how long did the trip take you?”
Good answer: “I'm sorry, could you say that again, please?”
Why: You may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase a question. Say "I'm sorry" first, then ask politely.
Avoid: “What? Why do you need to know how I got here?” (too rude) · “Huh? Say it again.” (too casual)
“Of course. How did you come to our office this morning? And how long did it take?”
Good answer: “By bus. It took forty minutes.”
Why: When the officer says it again in a simpler way, answer the new question. Use your own facts.
Avoid: “Somehow. The trip was fine, I think.” (too vague) · “Is there a place to park near the building?” (off topic)
“What is your occupation, and how long have you done that work?”
Good answer: “I'm sorry, I don't know the word "occupation". I think it means my job.”
Why: Say which word you do not know, then say what you think it means. "Occupation" means your job.
Avoid: “Occupation? Why don't you just say "job"?” (too rude) · “I'm not sure what that means. Let's skip it.” (too vague)
“Your form says Apartment 14. Is that correct?”
Good answer: “No, that's a mistake. My apartment is number 4.”
Why: If something on your form is wrong, say so politely and give the correct fact. Say only what is true. Use your own facts.
Avoid: “Yes, that's fine. It is close enough to my real apartment.” (not safe) · “Maybe. I don't remember.” (too vague)
“This is the reading test. Please read this sentence out loud.”
Good answer: “Yes, of course. I'll read it slowly and clearly.”
Why: In the reading test you read a sentence out loud. You need to read one of three sentences correctly, so read slowly and clearly.
Avoid: “Can I read a different sentence instead? This one looks hard to me.” (off topic) · “Reading out loud is hard for me. I will make mistakes.” (too negative)
“This is the writing test. I'll say a sentence, and please write it on this paper.”
Good answer: “I'm ready. I'll listen carefully and write it as clearly as I can.”
Why: In the writing test you write a sentence the officer says. You need to write one of three sentences correctly. Write clearly, one word at a time.
Avoid: “Writing? Nobody told me about a writing test.” (too rude) · “Sure, but my handwriting is terrible. Don't judge it.” (too casual)
“This is the civics test. I'll ask you some questions out loud, and if you need one repeated, you may ask me.”
Good answer: “I understand. I'll ask if I need a question repeated.”
Why: In the civics test the officer asks questions out loud. You may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase a question.
Avoid: “Civics is the hardest part. I'll probably get it wrong.” (too negative) · “Fine. Just don't ask me anything too hard, because I'm nervous.” (too casual)
“That is everything for today. Here is a paper about your interview. If a word on it is not clear, please ask me.”
Good answer: “Thank you. One word here is not clear to me. Could you explain it, please?”
Why: If a word on a paper is not clear, ask before you leave: "Could you explain this word, please?" Ask only when a word is really not clear to you.
Avoid: “Thanks. I'll read it at home, and maybe ask someone else.” (too vague) · “Thanks. Is this the same as my certificate?” (off topic)
Questions and answers
What happens at the citizenship interview?
A USCIS officer asks you questions about your application and your background. At the same interview you take an English test (speaking, reading and writing) and a civics test. Your appointment notice from USCIS has the date, the place and what to bring.
What are the naturalization interview questions?
The officer asks about the answers on your Form N-400. This game teaches the English for the interview: how to greet the officer, promise to tell the truth, show your papers, do small talk, and say your name and address (level 1), how to say your answers about your N-400 (level 2), and how to ask the officer to repeat or explain something (level 3). It does not tell you what to answer. Answer every question honestly, with your own facts.
What are the N-400 interview questions in simple English?
They are questions about your name, your address, where you live and other things you wrote on the form, said in everyday English. Read your own N-400 before the interview, so the facts are clear in your mind. Practice the way to say them, in short, clear sentences. Level 2 of this game teaches the English for the questions about your family, trips, work, school and taxes, and level 3 teaches how to ask for help.
What do I say when the officer asks me to tell the truth?
The officer asks you to promise to tell the truth, and you answer "Yes, I do." It is a short, clear answer. Say it calmly and look at the officer.
What is the English test at the USCIS interview?
The officer checks your speaking during the interview. For reading, you read one of three sentences out loud. For writing, you write one of three sentences. The sentences use civics and history words. Practice the words with Civics Rush.
What is the civics test?
It is an oral test: the officer asks you questions about American history and government, and you answer out loud. If you filed your N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, the officer asks up to 20 questions from a list of 128 and you need 12 correct answers. If you filed before that date, the officer asks up to 10 questions from a list of 100 and you need 6 correct answers.
Is this game legal advice?
No. Say It Right is English practice. It does not tell you how to answer legal questions or what to do about your case. For official rules and forms, go to uscis.gov, or ask an immigration lawyer or an accredited representative.
What does the officer ask about the N-400?
The officer goes through the answers on your Form N-400. The form has questions about your family, your trips outside the United States, your jobs and your taxes, so the officer may ask about them. Level 2 of this game teaches the English for these questions. It does not tell you what to answer: give your own facts, honestly. The usual time period is the last 5 years. If you apply as the spouse of a US citizen, it is the last 3 years. Check your own form.
What does marital status mean?
Marital status tells if you are married, single, divorced or widowed. The officer may ask, "What is your marital status?" or "Are you married now?" Answer with a short, true sentence.
What is a tax return?
A tax return is the form you send to the tax office each year to report your pay. In the United States, the federal tax office is the IRS. The officer may ask if you have filed your tax returns. Answer honestly.
What if I do not understand a question?
Say so, politely. USCIS says applicants may ask the officer to repeat or rephrase questions during the interview. Try: "I'm sorry, could you say that again, please?" or "Could you say it more slowly?" It is better to ask than to guess.
What do I say if I do not know a word the officer uses?
Say which word you do not know, and ask for help: "I'm sorry, I don't know the word occupation. Could you explain it, please?" You can also say what you think it means. For example, "occupation" means your job.
What if I see a mistake on my form?
Say so politely, and give the correct fact: "I'm sorry, that's a mistake. My apartment is number 4." Say only what is true. This game teaches the English words, not the legal rules. For official rules about changes, go to uscis.gov, or ask an immigration lawyer or an accredited representative.
How does the reading and writing test work?
For reading, you read a sentence out loud, and you need to read one of three sentences correctly. For writing, the officer says a sentence and you write it, and you need to write one of three sentences correctly. Read and write slowly and clearly.
Can I ask the officer to explain a word on a paper?
Yes, you can ask politely: "Could you explain this word to me, please?" Ask before you leave the room, so you understand every word. Level 3 of this game practices these phrases.
More real-life English
Job Interview Questions and Answers in Simple English · Phone Interview Questions and Answers · How to Ask for a Raise · How to Call Out of Work · How to Call 911 · How to Buy a Car · Doctor and Patient Conversation in English · Questions to Ask a Landlord, and What to Say in English · How to Make a Doctor's Appointment in English · Bank Conversation in English · How to Pick Up a Prescription · How to Check Into a Hotel · How to Rent a Car · How to Mail a Package · Ordering at a Restaurant · Parent-Teacher Conference Questions · How to Ask for a Haircut · How to Get a Driver's License · How to Cancel a Subscription · How to File a Police Report · How to Get a Library Card · How to Get a Social Security Card · How to Get a Passport · How to Get a Marriage License · How to Get Out of Jury Duty
Practice the civics test with Civics Rush
USCIS civics questions and answers (128 questions)
Play Say It Right: all 26 real-life situations.
This game is English practice, not legal advice. It teaches words and phrases, not what to answer about your case. Answer every question honestly, with your own facts. Official information: USCIS: The Naturalization Interview and Test.