U.S. Citizenship Test Practice: Principles of American Democracy
- Principles of American Democracy
- 12 questions
- 12 minutes
These questions cover the basic ideas of the U.S. government: the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the rule of law and the three branches. In the real interview you answer out loud, so try to say each answer in your own words before you check it.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
Your result
- 0 correct
- 0 wrong
- 0 blank
-
Question 1
In the United States, citizens elect leaders to make decisions for them, and the Constitution limits the power of those leaders. Which type of government is this?
Correct answer: B
The United States is a republic: citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them, and the Constitution limits their power. It is also called a representative democracy.
-
Question 2
A new law goes against the U.S. Constitution. Which one is the highest law that every other law must follow?
Correct answer: A
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Laws passed by Congress or the states, and orders from the President, must agree with it, and courts can strike down a law that goes against it.
-
Question 3
The Constitution opens with the words "We the People." Which idea do these three words show?
Correct answer: D
"We the People" stands for self-government, also called popular sovereignty or the consent of the governed: the power of the government comes from the people.
-
Question 4
Americans want to change something in the U.S. Constitution. How is a change officially made?
Correct answer: C
Changes to the Constitution are called amendments. An amendment is usually proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and then must be ratified by three-fourths of the states.
-
Question 5
The Bill of Rights is made up of the first 10 amendments. How many amendments does the Constitution have in total today?
Correct answer: B
The Constitution has 27 amendments. The first 10 form the Bill of Rights, and the most recent one, the 27th, was ratified in 1992.
-
Question 6
Which statement best describes the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
Correct answer: D
The Bill of Rights, added in 1791, protects basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to a fair trial. These rights protect people from the government.
-
Question 7
Which important idea appears in the Declaration of Independence?
Correct answer: B
The Declaration says that all people are created equal and have rights that cannot be taken away. Equality and liberty are key ideas in both the Declaration and the Constitution.
-
Question 8
Which founding document contains the words "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"?
Correct answer: A
These words come from the Declaration of Independence (1776). It calls them rights that every person is born with.
-
Question 9
In the United States, most businesses are owned by private people, and prices are mostly set by buyers and sellers. What is this economic system called?
Correct answer: C
The U.S. economic system is capitalism, also called a free market economy. Private people and companies own most businesses and decide what to make and sell.
-
Question 10
A city mayor breaks the law. What does the rule of law say should happen?
Correct answer: D
The rule of law means everyone must obey the law, including government leaders. No one is above the law.
-
Question 11
Before the Constitution, the United States had a first national plan of government that left Congress very weak. What was it called?
Correct answer: A
The Articles of Confederation took effect in 1781. The national government they created was too weak, so leaders wrote the Constitution in 1787 to replace them.
-
Question 12
The Constitution splits the government into legislative, executive and judicial branches. What is the main reason?
Correct answer: C
Dividing the government into legislative, executive and judicial branches creates checks and balances. Each branch can limit the others, so no single part becomes too powerful.
Questions you leave blank are not counted as wrong.
More Civics tests
CivicsU.S. Citizenship Test Practice: Congress and the Legislative BranchCongress and the Legislative Branch12 questions12 min CivicsU.S. Citizenship Test Practice: The President and the Executive BranchThe President and the Executive Branch12 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Citizenship Test Practice: The Supreme Court, Federalism and the StatesThe Supreme Court, Federalism and the States12 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Citizenship Test Practice: Rights and Responsibilities of CitizensRights and Responsibilities of Citizens12 questions12 minCivicsU.S. Citizenship Test Practice: American Symbols and National HolidaysAmerican Symbols and National Holidays12 questions12 minCivicsUSCIS 128 Civics Questions Practice Test: Part 1 (American Government)Official Questions 1-3633 questions33 minCivicsUSCIS 128 Civics Questions Practice Test: Part 2 (Government, Rights and Responsibilities)Official Questions 37-7231 questions31 min