Twenty of the most difficult civic questions (with answers)

[NickD 202]

This doesn't mean the other 80 are easy, civics is arbitrary, meaning either you know the correct answer or not. Can't use either logic nor reasoning to figure it out. Was gathering study materials for my wife and thought I would share this. Ha, was tripped on that question that only congress can declare war and regarding the 27 amendments to the constitution, just don't use that on a day to day basis, but good questions to use on a TV quiz show if you don't want anybody to win the prize.

1. How many stripes are there on the U.S. flag?

10

13 *

50

51

2. Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court today?

George W. Bush

Alberto Gonzales

Thomas Jefferson

John G. Roberts Jr. *

3. In what year was the Constitution written?

1776

1787 *

1876

1812

4. Which of these is guaranteed by the First Amendment?

Freedom of the press *

Right to bear arms

Right to happiness

Right to trial by jury

5. How many Supreme Court justices are there?

3

9 *

10

13

6. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

The Preamble

The Bill of Rights *

First Ten Amendments

Lewis "Scooter" Libby

7. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776 *

July 4, 1787

July 4, 1812

July 4, 1876

8. Which of the following amendments to the Constitution does NOT address or guarantee voting rights?

19th Amendment

24th Amendment

15th Amendment

7th Amendment *

9. What are the 13 original states?

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Zealand, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland *

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Washington, D.C.

10. What do the stripes on the U.S. flag mean?

The Cabinet

One for each state in the Union

They represent the 13 original states *

One for each article of the Constitution

11. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

The Preamble *

The Bill of Rights

The Declaration of Independence

The Articles of Confederation

12. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

9

10

13

27 *

13. Which of the following is NOT one of the constitutional requirements to be eligible to become president?

Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve

Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years

Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States

Must have served as a governor *

14. Who selects the Supreme Court justices?

The Electoral College

The people

They are appointed by the president *

The Senate

(NOTE: This is the response given on the official United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site. The president selects the justices; however, they must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. If they are rejected by the Senate, then the president must choose a new nominee, who, again, is subject to Senate approval.)

15. How many representatives are there in Congress?

50

100

102

435 *

(NOTE: The Legislative branch of the U.S. government is divided into two Houses. One is called the United States Senate, which has 100 Senators. The other is called the House of Representatives, which has 435 Representatives. There are a total of 535 Legislators. Unfortunately, by convention in American English, Representatives are sometimes referred to as Congressmen (or Congresswomen), while Senators are always referred to as Senators. To make it really confusing, sometimes the entire Legislative branch, meaning both the Senate and the House, are referred to collectively as the Congress.)

16. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death?"

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson

Patrick Henry *

17. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

In search of gold

To meet the Indians

For religious freedom *

To escape the Revolutionary War

18. Who has the power to declare war?

Congress *

The president

Chief justice of the Supreme Court

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

19. What INS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

Form N-200 "Petition for Naturalization"

N-400 "Application for Naturalization" *

Social Security card

FD-258

20. Which of these contains three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Right to life, right to liberty, right to the pursuit of happiness

Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion *

Right to protest, right to protection under the law, freedom of religion

Freedom of religion, right to elect representatives, human rights

[*JG* 2]

OMG......if these are the easy ones, I would be in trouble.

It's amazing how much stuff you forget during your lifetime.

BTW.....now that I read the word preamble, that stupid Schoolhouse Rock song is going through my head......We the people....in order to form a more perfect union....establishjusticeensuredomestictranquility.....eeee...eee...

[Dr. Obvious 49]

17. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

In search of gold

To meet the Indians

For religious freedom *

To escape the Revolutionary War

That last answer reminded me of a quote from Family Guy: "I play Peter Griffin, a heroic warrior who defied the English to free England from the English."

[churipu 4]

The questions at the interview are straight out of and exactly like they are in the blue booklet you're given when you go do your biometrics, as a suggestion I'd study on that and only that (or the flashcards given on the USCIS website) so that the ?? are formulated with the same exact choice of words as the interview, sometimes different ways of formulate a question can throw you off a bit (esp when you are tense...).

Also...I must admit it took me 45 minutes to memorize everything the first time I looked at that booklet, granted everyone has different memory skills and all but I can safely and confidently say that it is really not that hard. I realized I knew a lot of the things already, like the obvious ones which are actually many, then my hubby would ask me twice a day to answer the all questions until the day of the interview.

It is really not that hard

[Stef and Kel 0]

OMG......if these are the easy ones, I would be in trouble.

It's amazing how much stuff you forget during your lifetime.

BTW.....now that I read the word preamble, that stupid Schoolhouse Rock song is going through my head......We the people....in order to form a more perfect union....establishjusticeensuredomestictranquility.....eeee...eee...

That's hilarious, me too!!! I totally learned so much about civics with Schoolhouse rock - remember "I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill and I'm sitting here on capitol hill..... "

My 7-year old has the DVD of old Schoolhouse Rocks - Maybe I should make my husband sit down and watch with her

Edited May 30, 2008 by Stef and Kel

[lucyrich 20]

Remember, also, that they don't give the test in a multiple choice format. They orally ask you the questions, and you say the answer. Multiple choice would make it a lot easier. Especially that question about the first 13 states.

[TBoneTX 45,284]

I once had a neighbor who would always walk around his house before he walked around the block. Finally, I asked him about this; he said, "Oh -- that's simply the pre-amble to my constitutional!"

[junkupshoopwhat 0]

Oh gosh I'm a US citizen and I wouldn't be able to answer all those orally!

[NickD 202]

Oh gosh I'm a US citizen and I wouldn't be able to answer all those orally!

Ha, as natural born US citizens, we don't have to know all that stuff. But do feel an obligation to my wife to know something about it as she has to take the test.

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

Oh gosh I'm a US citizen and I wouldn't be able to answer all those orally!

A lot of my coworkers feel the same way. I took my test back in 1991 and it was a breeze. It was very informal. A lot has changed. It was not written it was oral and the lady was doing office work while she was asking me questions.

[chitown 0]

This doesn't mean the other 80 are easy, civics is arbitrary, meaning either you know the correct answer or not. Can't use either logic nor reasoning to figure it out. Was gathering study materials for my wife and thought I would share this. Ha, was tripped on that question that only congress can declare war and regarding the 27 amendments to the constitution, just don't use that on a day to day basis, but good questions to use on a TV quiz show if you don't want anybody to win the prize.

1. How many stripes are there on the U.S. flag?

10

13 *

50

51

2. Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court today?

George W. Bush

Alberto Gonzales

Thomas Jefferson

John G. Roberts Jr. *

3. In what year was the Constitution written?

1776

1787 *

1876

1812

4. Which of these is guaranteed by the First Amendment?

Freedom of the press *

Right to bear arms

Right to happiness

Right to trial by jury

5. How many Supreme Court justices are there?

3

9 *

10

13

6. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

The Preamble

The Bill of Rights *

First Ten Amendments

Lewis "Scooter" Libby

7. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776 *

July 4, 1787

July 4, 1812

July 4, 1876

8. Which of the following amendments to the Constitution does NOT address or guarantee voting rights?

19th Amendment

24th Amendment

15th Amendment

7th Amendment *

9. What are the 13 original states?

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Zealand, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland *

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Washington, D.C.

10. What do the stripes on the U.S. flag mean?

The Cabinet

One for each state in the Union

They represent the 13 original states *

One for each article of the Constitution

11. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

The Preamble *

The Bill of Rights

The Declaration of Independence

The Articles of Confederation

12. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

9

10

13

27 *

13. Which of the following is NOT one of the constitutional requirements to be eligible to become president?

Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve

Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years

Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States

Must have served as a governor *

14. Who selects the Supreme Court justices?

The Electoral College

The people

They are appointed by the president *

The Senate

(NOTE: This is the response given on the official United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site. The president selects the justices; however, they must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. If they are rejected by the Senate, then the president must choose a new nominee, who, again, is subject to Senate approval.)

15. How many representatives are there in Congress?

50

100

102

435 *

(NOTE: The Legislative branch of the U.S. government is divided into two Houses. One is called the United States Senate, which has 100 Senators. The other is called the House of Representatives, which has 435 Representatives. There are a total of 535 Legislators. Unfortunately, by convention in American English, Representatives are sometimes referred to as Congressmen (or Congresswomen), while Senators are always referred to as Senators. To make it really confusing, sometimes the entire Legislative branch, meaning both the Senate and the House, are referred to collectively as the Congress.)

16. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death?"

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson

Patrick Henry *

17. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

In search of gold

To meet the Indians

For religious freedom *

To escape the Revolutionary War

18. Who has the power to declare war?

Congress *

The president

Chief justice of the Supreme Court

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

19. What INS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

Form N-200 "Petition for Naturalization"

N-400 "Application for Naturalization" *

Social Security card

FD-258

20. Which of these contains three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Right to life, right to liberty, right to the pursuit of happiness

Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion *

Right to protest, right to protection under the law, freedom of religion

Freedom of religion, right to elect representatives, human rights

Thank you NickD... those Questions above are a good reminder especially the dreaded "Name the 13 states in the Colonies"... 'I am knocking on wood not to get this question...'

Edited June 2, 2008 by chitown

[Katlady413 0]

The questions at the interview are straight out of and exactly like they are in the blue booklet you're given when you go do your biometrics, as a suggestion I'd study on that and only that (or the flashcards given on the USCIS website) so that the ?? are formulated with the same exact choice of words as the interview, sometimes different ways of formulate a question can throw you off a bit (esp when you are tense...).

Also...I must admit it took me 45 minutes to memorize everything the first time I looked at that booklet, granted everyone has different memory skills and all but I can safely and confidently say that it is really not that hard. I realized I knew a lot of the things already, like the obvious ones which are actually many, then my hubby would ask me twice a day to answer the all questions until the day of the interview.

It is really not that hard

Umm............. I have done my biometrics, but I was not given any blue booklet whatsoever!!! I'm hoping that studying the materials off the USCIS website will suffice.

[Katlady413 0]

This doesn't mean the other 80 are easy, civics is arbitrary, meaning either you know the correct answer or not. Can't use either logic nor reasoning to figure it out. Was gathering study materials for my wife and thought I would share this. Ha, was tripped on that question that only congress can declare war and regarding the 27 amendments to the constitution, just don't use that on a day to day basis, but good questions to use on a TV quiz show if you don't want anybody to win the prize.

1. How many stripes are there on the U.S. flag?

10

13 *

50

51

2. Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court today?

George W. Bush

Alberto Gonzales

Thomas Jefferson

John G. Roberts Jr. *

3. In what year was the Constitution written?

1776

1787 *

1876

1812

4. Which of these is guaranteed by the First Amendment?

Freedom of the press *

Right to bear arms

Right to happiness

Right to trial by jury

5. How many Supreme Court justices are there?

3

9 *

10

13

6. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

The Preamble

The Bill of Rights *

First Ten Amendments

Lewis "Scooter" Libby

7. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776 *

July 4, 1787

July 4, 1812

July 4, 1876

8. Which of the following amendments to the Constitution does NOT address or guarantee voting rights?

19th Amendment

24th Amendment

15th Amendment

7th Amendment *

9. What are the 13 original states?

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Zealand, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland *

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Washington, D.C.

10. What do the stripes on the U.S. flag mean?

The Cabinet

One for each state in the Union

They represent the 13 original states *

One for each article of the Constitution

11. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

The Preamble *

The Bill of Rights

The Declaration of Independence

The Articles of Confederation

12. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

9

10

13

27 *

13. Which of the following is NOT one of the constitutional requirements to be eligible to become president?

Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve

Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years

Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States

Must have served as a governor *

14. Who selects the Supreme Court justices?

The Electoral College

The people

They are appointed by the president *

The Senate

(NOTE: This is the response given on the official United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site. The president selects the justices; however, they must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. If they are rejected by the Senate, then the president must choose a new nominee, who, again, is subject to Senate approval.)

15. How many representatives are there in Congress?

50

100

102

435 *

(NOTE: The Legislative branch of the U.S. government is divided into two Houses. One is called the United States Senate, which has 100 Senators. The other is called the House of Representatives, which has 435 Representatives. There are a total of 535 Legislators. Unfortunately, by convention in American English, Representatives are sometimes referred to as Congressmen (or Congresswomen), while Senators are always referred to as Senators. To make it really confusing, sometimes the entire Legislative branch, meaning both the Senate and the House, are referred to collectively as the Congress.)

16. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death?"

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson

Patrick Henry *

17. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

In search of gold

To meet the Indians

For religious freedom *

To escape the Revolutionary War

18. Who has the power to declare war?

Congress *

The president

Chief justice of the Supreme Court

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

19. What INS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

Form N-200 "Petition for Naturalization"

N-400 "Application for Naturalization" *

Social Security card

FD-258

20. Which of these contains three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Right to life, right to liberty, right to the pursuit of happiness

Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion *

Right to protest, right to protection under the law, freedom of religion

Freedom of religion, right to elect representatives, human rights

This is really helpful, thank you for posting!