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Citizenship Test
Flashcards, etc. for State Required Citizenship Test
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the form of government of the United States? | Republic Constitution-based federal republic Representative democracy |
| What is the supreme law of the land? | (U.S.) Constitution |
| Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does. | • Forms the government • Defines powers of government • Defines the parts of government • Protects the rights of the people |
| The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean? | • Self-government • Popular sovereignty • Consent of the governed • People should govern themselves • (Example of) social contract |
| How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution? | • Amendments • The amendment process |
| What does the Bill of Rights protect? | • (The basic) rights of Americans • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States |
| How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? | • Twenty-seven (27) |
| Why is the Declaration of Independence important? | • It says America is free from British control. • It says all people are created equal. • It identifies inherent rights. • It identifies individual freedoms. |
| What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain? | • Declaration of Independence |
| Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. | • Equality • Liberty • Social contract • Natural rights • Limited government • Self-government |
| The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document? | • Declaration of Independence |
| What is the economic system of the United States? | • Capitalism • Free market economy |
| What is the rule of law? | • Everyone must follow the law. • Leaders must obey the law. • Government must obey the law. • No one is above the law. |
| Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one. | • Declaration of Independence • Articles of Confederation • Federalist Papers • Anti-Federalist Papers • Virginia Declaration of Rights • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut • Mayflower Compact • Iroquois Great Law of Peace |
| There are three branches of government. Why? | • So one part does not become too powerful • Checks and balances • Separation of powers |
| Name the three branches of government. | • Legislative, executive, and judicial • Congress, president, and the courts |
| The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government? | • Executive branch |
| What part of the federal government writes laws? | • (U.S.) Congress • (U.S. or national) legislature • Legislative branch |
| What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? | • Senate and House (of Representatives) |
| Name one power of the U.S. Congress. | • Writes laws • Declares war • Makes the federal budget |
| How many U.S. senators are there? | • One hundred (100) |
| How long is a term for a U.S. senator? | • Six (6) years |
| Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now? | Senator James Lankford Senator Alan Armstrong |
| How many voting members are in the House of Representatives? | • Four hundred thirty-five (435) |
| How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives? | • Two (2) years |
| Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators? | • To more closely follow public opinion |
| How many senators does each state have? | • Two (2 |
| Why does each state have two senators? | • Equal representation (for small states) • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) |
| Name your U.S. representative. | Tom Cole |
| What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? | Mike Johnson |
| Who does a U.S. senator represent? | • Citizens of their state • People of their state |
| Who elects U.S. senators? | • Citizens from their state |
| Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent? | • Citizens in their (congressional) district • Citizens in their district • People from their (congressional) district • People in their district |
| Who elects members of the House of Representatives? | • Citizens from their (congressional) district |
| Some states have more representatives than other states. Why? | • (Because of) the state’s population • (Because) they have more people • (Because) some states have more people |
| The President of the United States is elected for how many years? | • Four (4) years |
| The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why? | • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment • To keep the president from becoming too powerful |
| What is the name of the President of the United States now? | Donald J Trump |
| What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? | JD Vance |
| If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president? | • The Vice President (of the United States) |
| Name one power of the president. | • Signs bills into law • Vetoes bills • Enforces laws • Commander in Chief (of the military) • Chief diplomat • Appoints federal judges |
| Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? | • The President (of the United States) |
| Who signs bills to become laws? | • The President (of the United States) |
| Who signs bills to become laws? | • The President (of the United States) |
| Who vetoes bills? | • The President (of the United States) |
| Who vetoes bills? | • The President (of the United States) |
| Who appoints federal judges? | • The President (of the United States) |
| The executive branch has many parts. Name one. | • President (of the United States) • Cabinet • Federal departments and agencies |
| What does the President’s Cabinet do? | • Advises the President (of the United States) |
| What are two Cabinet-level positions? | • Attorney General • Secretary of Agriculture • Secretary of Commerce • Secretary of Education • Secretary of Energy • Secretary of Health and Human Services • Secretary of Homeland Security • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development • Secretary |
| Why is the Electoral College important? | • It decides who is elected president. • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection. |
| What is one part of the judicial branch? | • Supreme Court • Federal Courts |
| What does the judicial branch do? | • Reviews laws • Explains laws • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution |
| What is the highest court in the United States? | • Supreme Court |
| How many seats are on the Supreme Court? | Nine (9) |
| How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case? | • Five (5) |
| How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case? | • Five (5) |
| How long do Supreme Court justices serve? | • (For) life • Lifetime appointment • (Until) retirement |
| How long do Supreme Court justices serve? | • (For) life • Lifetime appointment • (Until) retirement |
| Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why? | • To be independent (of politics) • To limit outside (political) influence |
| Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why? | • To be independent (of politics) • To limit outside (political) influence |
| Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? | John Roberts |
| Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? | John Roberts |
| Name one power that is only for the federal government. | • Print paper money • Mint coins • Declare war • Create an army • Make treaties • Set foreign policy |
| Name one power that is only for the federal government. | • Print paper money • Mint coins • Declare war • Create an army • Make treaties • Set foreign policy |
| Name one power that is only for the states. | • Provide schooling and education • Provide protection (police) • Provide safety (fire departments) • Give a driver’s license • Approve zoning and land use |
| What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment? | • (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people. |
| Who is the governor of your state now? | Kevin Stitt |
| What is the capital of your state? | Oklahoma City |
| There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. | • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). • You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) • A male citizen of any race (can vote). |
| Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States? | • Citizens • Citizens of the United States • U.S. citizens |
| What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? | • Freedom of expression • Freedom of speech • Freedom of assembly • Freedom to petition the government • Freedom of religion • The right to bear arms |
| What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? | • The United States • The flag |
| Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance. | • Give up loyalty to other countries • Defend the (U.S.) Constitution • Obey the laws of the United States • Serve in the military (if needed) • Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed) • Be loyal to the United States |
| How can people become United States citizens? | • Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment • Naturalize • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress) |
| What are two examples of civic participation in the United States? | • Vote • Run for office • Join a political party • Help with a campaign • Join a civic group • Join a community group • Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue) • Contact elected officials • Support or oppose an issue or policy |
| How can people become United States citizens? | • Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment • Naturalize • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress) |
| What are two examples of civic participation in the United States? | • Vote • Run for office • Join a political party • Help with a campaign • Join a civic group • Join a community group • Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue) • Contact elected officials • Support or oppose an issue or policy |
| What is one way Americans can serve their country? | • Vote • Pay taxes • Obey the law • Serve in the military • Run for office • Work for local, state, or federal government |
| Why is it important to pay federal taxes? | • Required by law • All people pay to fund the federal government • Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment) • Civic duty |
| It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why. | • Required by law • Civic duty • Makes the draft fair, if needed |
| The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one. | • Freedom • Political liberty • Religious freedom • Economic opportunity • Escape persecution |
| Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? | • American Indians • Native Americans |
| What group of people was taken and sold as slaves? | • Africans • People from Africa |
| What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain? | • American Revolution • The (American) Revolutionary War • War for (American) Independence |
| Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain. | • Taxation without representation • British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering) • They did not have self-government • Boston Massacre • Boston Tea Party (Tea Act) • Stamp Act • Sugar Act • Townshend Acts • Intolerable (Coer |
| Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? | • (Thomas) Jefferson |
| When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? | • July 4, 1776 |
| The American Revolution had many important events. Name one. | • (Battle of) Bunker Hill • Declaration of Independence • Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton) • (Battle of) Saratoga • Valley Forge (Encampment) • (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown) |
| There were 13 original states. Name five. | • New Hampshire • Massachusetts • Rhode Island • Connecticut • New York • New Jersey • Pennsylvania • Delaware • Maryland • Virginia • North Carolina • South Carolina • Georgia |
| What founding document was written in 1787? | • (U.S.) Constitution |
| The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. | • (James) Madison • (Alexander) Hamilton • (John) Jay • Publius |
| Why were the Federalist Papers important? | • They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution. • They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution. |
| Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one. | • Founded the first free public libraries • First Postmaster General of the United States • Helped write the Declaration of Independence • Inventor • U.S. diplomat |
| George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. | • “Father of Our Country” • First president of the United States • General of the Continental Army • President of the Constitutional Convention |
| Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one. | • 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 Religi |
| James Madison is famous for many things. Name one. | • “Father of the Constitution” • Fourth president of the United States • President during the War of 1812 • One of the writers of the Federalist Papers |
| Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one. | • 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 |
| What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? | • Louisiana Territory • Louisiana |
| Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. | • War of 1812 • Mexican-American War • Civil War • Spanish-American War |
| Name the U.S. war between the North and the South | • The Civil War |
| The Civil War had many important events. Name one. | • (Battle of) Fort Sumter • Emancipation Proclamation • (Battle of) Vicksburg • (Battle of) Gettysburg • Sherman’s March • (Surrender at) Appomattox • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg • Lincoln was assassinated. |
| Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one | • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) • Saved (or preserved) the Union • Led the United States during the Civil War • 16th president of the United States • Delivered the Gettysburg Address |
| What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? | • Freed the slaves • Freed slaves in the Confederacy • Freed slaves in the Confederate states • Freed slaves in most Southern states |
| What U.S. war ended slavery? | • The Civil War |
| What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens? | • 14th Amendment |
| When did all men get the right to vote? | • After the Civil War • During Reconstruction • (With the) 15th Amendment • 1870 |
| Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s. | • Susan B. Anthony • Elizabeth Cady Stanton • Sojourner Truth • Harriet Tubman • Lucretia Mott • Lucy Stone |
| Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. | • World War I • World War II • Korean War • Vietnam War • (Persian) Gulf War |
| Why did the United States enter World War I? | • Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia) • To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) |
| When did all women get the right to vote? | • 1920 • After World War I • (With the) 19th Amendment |
| What was the Great Depression? | • Longest economic recession in modern history |
| When did the Great Depression start? | • The Great Crash (1929) • Stock market crash of 1929 |
| Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II? | • (Franklin) Roosevelt |
| Why did the United States enter World War II? | • (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor • Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor • To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia) • To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) |
| Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one. | • General during World War II • President at the end of (during) the Korean War • 34th president of the United States • Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System) |
| Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War? | • Soviet Union • USSR • Russia |
| During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States? | • Communism • Nuclear war |
| Why did the United States enter the Korean War? | • To stop the spread of communism |
| Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War? | • To stop the spread of communism |
| What did the civil rights movement do? | • Fought to end racial discrimination |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. | • Fought for civil rights • Worked for equality for all Americans • Worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” |
| Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War? | • To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait |
| What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? | • Terrorists attacked the United States • Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City • Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia • Terrorists took over a plane o |
| Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks. | • (Global) War on Terror • War in Afghanistan • War in Iraq |
| Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. | • Apache • Blackfeet • Cayuga • Cherokee • Cheyenne • Chippewa • Choctaw • Creek • Crow • Hopi • Huron • Inupiat • Lakota • Mohawk • Mohegan • Navajo • Oneida • Onondaga • Pueblo • Seminole • Seneca • Shawnee • Sioux • Teton • Tusc |
| Name one example of an American innovation. | • Light bulb • Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine) • Skyscrapers • Airplane • Assembly line • Landing on the moon • Integrated circuit (IC) |
| What is the capital of the United States? | • Washington, D.C. |
| Where is the Statue of Liberty? | • New York (Harbor) • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).] |
| Why does the flag have 13 stripes? | • (Because there were) 13 original colonies • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies |
| Why does the flag have 50 stars? | • (Because there is) one star for each state • (Because) each star represents a state • (Because there are) 50 states |
| What is the name of the national anthem? | • The Star-Spangled Banner |
| The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean? | • Out of many, one • We all become one |