U.S. Citizenship Test Practice: State and Local Government
- State and Local Government
- 10 questions
- 12 minutes
These questions cover government closer to home: states, counties and cities. The interview may ask about your own state, such as its capital or governor, so look those up before your appointment.
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.
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Question 1
Who is the head of the executive branch of a state government?
Correct answer: D
Each state has a governor who leads its executive branch, much like the President leads the federal executive branch. A mayor leads a city.
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Question 2
Like the nation, each state has its own written plan of government and highest state law. What is it called?
Correct answer: B
Every state has its own constitution. It must not conflict with the U.S. Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.
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Question 3
Most state legislatures have two chambers, like Congress. Which state has a legislature with only one chamber?
Correct answer: C
Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral, or one-house, legislature. The other 49 states have two chambers.
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Question 4
In many American cities, who is the elected leader of the city government?
Correct answer: A
Many cities elect a mayor to lead city government. A sheriff is usually a county law enforcement officer, and senators serve in a legislature.
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Question 5
A house is on fire and a neighbor calls 911. Which level of government usually runs the fire department that responds?
Correct answer: D
Fire departments and police departments are usually run by cities, towns or counties. Services people use every day are often provided by local government.
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Question 6
A state passes a law that conflicts with a valid federal law on a subject the Constitution gives to the national government. Which law must be followed?
Correct answer: B
The Constitution makes federal law supreme when it is within the national government's powers. A state law that conflicts with it cannot be enforced.
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Question 7
What is a state capital?
Correct answer: A
The capital is where the governor's office and the state legislature are located. It is not always the largest city in the state.
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Question 8
In most states, the land is divided into smaller areas that have their own local governments. What are these areas usually called?
Correct answer: C
Most states are divided into counties. Louisiana calls them parishes and Alaska calls them boroughs, but the idea is the same.
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Question 9
Which of these powers does the U.S. Constitution give to the states?
Correct answer: D
Three-fourths of the states must ratify an amendment before it becomes part of the Constitution. Printing money, declaring war and making treaties are federal powers.
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Question 10
Washington, D.C. is not part of any state. How many voting members does it have in the U.S. Senate?
Correct answer: A
Because D.C. is not a state, it has no senators. It does have three votes in the Electoral College under the 23rd Amendment, which is a common trap.
Questions you leave blank are not counted as wrong.
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