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Learn About theUnited States
Quick Civics Lessonsor the New Naturalization Test
M-638 (rev. 02/09)
 
Learn About the United States:
Quick Civics Lessonsfor the New Naturalization Test
Thank you for your interest in becoming a citizen of the United States of America. Your decision to apply forU.S. citizenship is a very meaningful demonstration of your commitment to this country and we applaud yourefforts.The United States has a long and rich history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. U.S.citizenship is the common thread that connects peoplefrom different cultures and backgrounds. For morethan 200 years, the United States has remained strongbecause of our citizens and the common civic values weshare.As you prepare for U.S. citizenship,
Learn About the UnitedStates: Quick Civics Lessons for the New Naturalization Test
willhelp you study for the civics and English portions of thenaturalization interview. There are 100 civics (historyand government) questions on the naturalization test.During your naturalization interview, you will be askedup to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. Youmust answer correctly at least six (6) of the 10 questionsto pass the civics test.Applicants who are age 65 or older and have been a lawful
permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of ling
Form N-400
are only required to study 20 of the 100civics test questions for the new naturalization test.
Another Option to Help You Study:
Civics Flash Cards
The USCIS Civics Flash Cards are a useful study tool toprepare for the naturalization test. These easy-to-use cardshave each of the 100 civics (history and government)questions and answers on the new naturalization test. Withhistorical photos and informative captions, the Civics FlashCards are an additional option to help you prepare for U.S.citizenship.The Civics Flash Cards are available for free online at
http://www.uscis.gov/civicsashcards
. Hard copies areavailable for purchase from the U.S. Government Printing
Ofce (GPO) by calling 1-866-512-1800 (toll-free) or by
visiting http://bookstore.gpo.gov and searching for“Civics Flash Cards.”
These questions are agged with an asterisk (*) in
this booklet.
Learn About the United States
contains shortlessons based on each of the 100 civics (history andgovernment) questions. This additional informationwill help you learn more about important conceptsin American history and government.
During yournaturalization interview, you will not be tested onthe additional information in the short lessons.
 There are three components to the English portion of the test: speaking, reading, and writing. Your ability to
speak English is determined by the USCIS Ofcer based
on your answers to questions normally asked duringthe eligibility interview on the
 Application for Naturalization,Form N-400
.For the reading test, you must read one (1) out of three(3) sentences correctly to demonstrate an ability to readin English. There is a reading vocabulary list with allthe words found in the English reading portion of thenaturalization test included in the back of this booklet.For the writing test, you must write one (1) out of three (3) sentences correctly to demonstrate an abilityto write in English. There is a writing vocabulary listwith all the words found in the English writing portionof the naturalization test included in the back of thisbooklet.
 
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C
iviCs
T
esT
A: Principles of American Democracy
1. What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
The Founding Fathers of the United States wrote
the Constitution in 1787. The Constitution is the
“supreme law of the land.” The U.S. Constitution haslasted longer than any other country’s constitution.It establishes the basic principles of the United Statesgovernment. The Constitution establishes a systemof government called “representative democracy.”In a representative democracy, citizens chooserepresentatives to make the laws. U.S. citizens alsochoose a president to lead the executive branch of government. The Constitution lists fundamental rightsfor all citizens and other people living in the UnitedStates. Laws made in the United States must follow theConstitution.
2. What does the Constitution do?
sets up the governmentdeines the government protects basic rights o Americans
The Constitution of the United States dividesgovernment power between the national government
and state governments. The name for this divisionof power is “federalism.” Federalism is an importantidea in the Constitution. We call the Founding Fatherswho wrote the Constitution the “Framers” of theConstitution. The Framers wanted to limit the powersof the government, so they separated the powers intothree branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.The Constitution explains the power of each branch.The Constitution also includes changes and additions,
called “amendments.” The rst 10 amendments
are called the “Bill of Rights.” The Bill of Rightsestablished the individual rights and liberties of allAmericans.
3.Theideaofself-governmentisintherstthree
words of the Constitution. What are thesewords?
We the People
The Constitution says:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfectUnion, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure theBlessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain andestablish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Learn About the United States
Civics Test
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
In the United States, the government gets its power to govern from the people. We have a government of thepeople, by the people, and for the people. Citizens in the United States shape their government and its policies, sothey must learn about important public issues and get involved in their communities. Learning about Americangovernment helps you understand your rights and responsibilities and allows you to fully participate in theAmerican political process. The Founders of this country decided that the United States should be a representativedemocracy. They wanted a nation ruled by laws, not by men. In a representative democracy, the people choose
ofcials to make laws and represent their views and concerns in government. The following section will help
you understand the principles of American democracy, the U.S. system of government, and the important rightsand responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.
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