USCIS Civics Test Questions and Answers
Naturalization civics test answers for independent study: review 61 questions, each answered and quoted from the USCIS civics questions and answers on uscis.gov. Where the 2008 and 2025 tests differ, the answer names the version.
Questions from the USCIS naturalization civics lists: the 100-question 2008 version (Form N-400 filed before Oct. 20, 2025) and the 128-question 2025 version (filed on or after that date). Answers follow the official USCIS lists; where the two versions differ, the answer says which.
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01What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution (the 2025 test accepts "(U.S.) Constitution").
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“2. What is the supreme law of the land? * • (U.S.) Constitution”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 2 ↗02What does the Constitution do?
It sets up the government, defines the government, or protects basic rights of Americans. The 2025 test asks for one thing it does: forms the government, defines powers of government, defines the parts of government, or protects the rights of the people.
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“3. 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”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 3 ↗03The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
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“3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? - We the People”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 3 ↗04What is an amendment?
A change (to the Constitution) or an addition (to the Constitution). The 2025 test asks how changes are made: amendments, or the amendment process.
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“5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution? • Amendments • The amendment process”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 5 ↗05What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
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“5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? - the Bill of Rights”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 5 ↗06What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
Speech, religion, assembly, press, or petition the government
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“6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* - speech - religion - assembly - press - petition the government”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 6 ↗07How many amendments does the Constitution have?
Twenty-seven (27), on both the 2008 and 2025 tests
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“7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? * • Twenty-seven (27)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 7 ↗08What did the Declaration of Independence do?
It announced our independence (from Great Britain), declared our independence (from Great Britain), or said that the United States is free (from Great Britain).
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“8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? - announced our independence (from Great Britain) - declared our independence (from Great Britain) - said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 8 ↗09What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (name two)
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“9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? - life - liberty - pursuit of happiness”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 9 ↗10What is the economic system in the United States?
A capitalist economy or a market economy. The 2025 test accepts capitalism or a free market economy.
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“12. What is the economic system of the United States? * • Capitalism • Free market economy”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 12 ↗11What 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. The 2025 list gives the same answers.
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“13. 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.”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 13 ↗12What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Checks and balances, or separation of powers. The 2025 test asks why there are three branches and also accepts "so one part does not become too powerful".
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“15. There are three branches of government. Why? • So one part does not become too powerful • Checks and balances • Separation of powers”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 15 ↗13Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President. The 2025 test asks which branch the President is in charge of: the executive branch.
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“17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government? • Executive branch”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 17 ↗14Who makes federal laws?
Congress, the Senate and House (of Representatives), or the (U.S. or national) legislature. The 2025 test asks what part of the federal government writes laws: (U.S.) Congress, the (U.S. or national) legislature, or the legislative branch.
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“18. What part of the federal government writes laws? • (U.S.) Congress • (U.S. or national) legislature • Legislative branch”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 18 ↗15What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and House (of Representatives), on both the 2008 and 2025 tests
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“19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? • Senate and House (of Representatives)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 19 ↗16How many U.S. Senators are there?
One hundred (100)
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“21. How many U.S. senators are there? • One hundred (100) 22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 21 ↗17We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
Six (6) years
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“22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator? • Six (6) years 23. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 22 ↗18The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
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“24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives? • Four hundred thirty-five (435)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 24 ↗19We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
Two (2) years
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“25. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives? • Two (2) years”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 25 ↗20Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
All people of the state. The 2025 test accepts citizens of their state or people of their state.
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“31. Who does a U.S. senator represent? • Citizens of their state • People of their state”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 31 ↗21Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
Because of the state's population, because they have more people, or because some states have more people (the same on the 2025 test)
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“35. 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”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 35 ↗22We elect a President for how many years?
Four (4) years
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“36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years? * • Four (4) years”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 36 ↗23If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Vice President
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“40. If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president? • The Vice President (of the United States)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 40 ↗24If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Speaker of the House
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“31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? - the Speaker of the House”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 31 ↗25Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
The President
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“42. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? • The President (of the United States)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 42 ↗26Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
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“43. Who signs bills to become laws? • The President (of the United States)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 43 ↗27Who vetoes bills?
The President
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“44. Who vetoes bills? * • The President (of the United States)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 44 ↗28What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President
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“47. What does the President’s Cabinet do? • Advises the President (of the United States)”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 47 ↗29What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes (disagreements), or decides if a law goes against the Constitution. The 2025 list words these as resolving disputes about the law and deciding if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution.
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“51. 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”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 51 ↗30What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
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“52. What is the highest court in the United States? * • Supreme Court”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 52 ↗31What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Serve on a jury, or vote in a federal election
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“49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* - serve on a jury - vote in a federal election”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 49 ↗32Name one right only for United States citizens.
Vote in a federal election, or run for federal office
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“50. Name one right only for United States citizens. - vote in a federal election - run for federal office”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 50 ↗33What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States, or the flag
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“66. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? * • The United States • The flag”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 66 ↗34How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
Eighteen (18) and older
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“54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* - eighteen (18) and older”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 54 ↗35When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
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“56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* - April 15”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 56 ↗36When must all men register for the Selective Service?
At age eighteen (18), or between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
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“57. When must all men register for the Selective Service? - at age eighteen (18) - between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 57 ↗37What is one reason colonists came to America?
Freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, practice their religion, or escape persecution. The 2025 list drops "practice their religion".
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“73. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one. • Freedom • Political liberty • Religious freedom • Economic opportunity • Escape persecution”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 73 ↗38Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians, or Native Americans
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“74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? * • American Indians • Native Americans”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 74 ↗39What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans, or people from Africa
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“75. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves? • Africans • People from Africa”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 75 ↗40Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
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“78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? * • (Thomas) Jefferson”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 78 ↗41When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
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“79. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? • July 4, 1776”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 79 ↗42When was the Constitution written?
1787. The 2025 test asks which founding document was written in 1787: the (U.S.) Constitution.
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“82. What founding document was written in 1787? • (U.S.) Constitution”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 82 ↗43The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison, (Alexander) Hamilton, (John) Jay, or Publius
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“83. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. • (James) Madison • (Alexander) Hamilton • (John) Jay • Publius”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 83 ↗44Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
(George) Washington. On the 2025 test, "Father of Our Country" is one accepted answer to what George Washington is famous for.
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“86. 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”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 86 ↗45What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
The Louisiana Territory, or Louisiana
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“90. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? • Louisiana Territory • Louisiana”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 90 ↗46Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil War. The 2008 list also accepts the War between the States; the 2025 list gives only the Civil War.
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“92. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. • The Civil War”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 92 ↗47What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves, freed slaves in the Confederacy, freed slaves in the Confederate states, or freed slaves in most Southern states
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“95. 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”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 95 ↗48What did Susan B. Anthony do?
Fought for women's rights, or fought for civil rights
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“77. What did Susan B. Anthony do? - fought for women’s rights - fought for civil rights”
— USCIS, Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version), rev. 08/21, question 77 ↗49Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
(Franklin) Roosevelt
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“105. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II? • (Franklin) Roosevelt”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 105 ↗50During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism. The 2025 test asks for one main concern and also accepts nuclear war.
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“109. During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States? • Communism • Nuclear war”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 109 ↗51What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States.
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“115. 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 originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 115 ↗52What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
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“119. What is the capital of the United States? • Washington, D.C.”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 119 ↗53Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York (Harbor) or Liberty Island; also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).
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“120. 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).]”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 120 ↗54Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies, or because the stripes represent the original colonies
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“121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? * • (Because there were) 13 original colonies • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 121 ↗55Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Because there is one star for each state, because each star represents a state, or because there are 50 states
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“122. 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”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 122 ↗56What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
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“123. What is the name of the national anthem? • The Star-Spangled Banner”
— USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25), question 123 ↗57On the 2025 naturalization civics test, how many questions does the officer ask, and how many correct answers are needed to pass?
The officer asks 20 questions from the list of 128; the applicant must answer 12 correctly to pass and fails after 9 incorrect answers.
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“The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test is an oral test consisting of 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer 12 questions correctly to pass the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test.”
— USCIS Citizenship Resource Center, 2025 Civics Test ↗58On the 2008 naturalization civics test, how many questions does the officer ask, and how many correct answers are needed to pass?
Up to 10 questions from the list of 100; 6 correct answers pass, and 5 incorrect answers fail.
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“The USCIS officer will ask you up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. You must answer 6 questions correctly to pass the 2008 naturalization civics test. You will fail the test if you answer 5 of the 10 questions incorrectly.”
— USCIS, Study for the Test (uscis.gov/citizenship) ↗59Which civics test version is given to an applicant who files Form N-400 before Oct. 20, 2025?
The 2008 naturalization civics test. Applicants who file on or after Oct. 20, 2025 take the 2025 test.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“We will administer the 2025 naturalization civics test to aliens who file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization on or after Oct. 20, 2025.”
— USCIS, Study for the Test (uscis.gov/citizenship) ↗60When does the officer stop asking questions on the 2025 naturalization civics test?
When the applicant has answered 12 questions correctly, or 9 questions incorrectly.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Officers will stop asking questions when an alien answers 12 questions correctly, or 9 questions incorrectly.”
— USCIS Citizenship Resource Center, 2025 Civics Test ↗61Under the 65/20 special consideration, which applicants may study just the questions marked with an asterisk?
Applicants who are 65 or older and have lived in the United States as lawful permanent residents for 20 or more years; they are asked 10 questions from a specially selected set of 20.
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“If you are 65 years old or older and have been living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, USCIS will continue to administer a test with 10 questions from a specially selected bank of 20 test questions”
— USCIS, Study for the Test (uscis.gov/citizenship) ↗Know questions we're missing?
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