USCIS Civics Test (Minnesota) Questions & Answers

What is the supreme law of the land? - ANSWERSthe constitution What does the Constitution do? - ANSWERS1) sets up the government 2) defines the government 3) protects basic rights of Americans The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? - ANSWERSWe the People What is an amendment? - ANSWERSA change or addition to the Constitution What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution? - ANSWERSthe Bill of Rights What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment (to the US Constitution from the Bill of Rights)? - ANSWERSspeech religion assembly press petition the government How many amendments does the Constitution have? - ANSWERS27 What did the Declaration of Independence do? - ANSWERSannounced our independence from Great Britain declared our independence from Great Britain said that the US is free from Great Britain What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence - ANSWERS(there are 3 total) life liberty pursuit of happiness What is freedom of religion? - ANSWERSYou can practice any religion, or not practice any religion What is the economic system in the US? - ANSWERScapitalist or market economy What is the "rule of law"? - ANSWERSeveryone must follow the law leaders must obey the law government must obey the law no one is above the law Name 1 branch or part of the government - ANSWERSlegislative (congress) executive (president) judicial (the courts) What stops 1 branch of government from becoming too powerful? - ANSWERSchecks and balances separation of powers Who is in charge of the executive branch? - ANSWERSthe president Who makes federal laws? - ANSWERScongress senate house of representatives US or national legislature What are the 2 parts of the US congress? - ANSWERS1 senate 2 house of representatives (sometimes called the "house") How many US Senators are there? - ANSWERS100 We elect US Senators for how many years? - ANSWERS6 Who is one of your state's US Senators now? - ANSWERSMinnesota State Senators: 1 Amy Klobuchar 2 Tina Smith The House of Representatives has how many voting members? - ANSWERS435 We elect a US Representative for how many years? - ANSWERS2 Name your US Representative. - ANSWERSWorthington, MN: Jim Hagedorn Angie Craig Tome Emmer Michelle Fischbach Betty McCollum Ilhan Omar Dean Phillips Pete Stauber Who does a US Senator represent? - ANSWERSall people of the state Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? - ANSWERSbecause of the state's population, states with larger populations have more representatives We elect a President for how many years? - ANSWERS4 In what month do we vote for President? - ANSWERSNovember What is the name of the President of the US now? - ANSWERS Joe Biden What is the name of the Vice President of the US now? - ANSWERS Kamala Harris If the President can no longer serve, who becomes the President? - ANSWERSthe Vice President If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes the President? - ANSWERSthe Speaker of the House Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? - ANSWERSthe President Who signs bills to become law? - ANSWERSthe President Who vetoes bills? - ANSWERSthe President What does the President's Cabinet do? - ANSWERSadvise the President What are 2 Cabinet-level positions? - ANSWERSSecretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Defense Secretary of Education Secretary of Energy Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Labor Secretary of State Secretary of Transportation Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Veterans Affairs Attorney General Vice President What does the judicial branch do? - ANSWERSreview laws explain laws resolve disputes/disagreements decides if a law goes against the Constitution What is the highest court in the US? - ANSWERSSupreme Court How many justices are on the Supreme Court? - ANSWERS9 ( currently: Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett) Who is the Chief Justice of the US now? - ANSWERSChief Justice John G. Roberts Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? - ANSWERSto print money to declare war to create an army to make treaties Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? - ANSWERSprovide schooling and education provide protection (police) provide safety (fire departments) give a driver's license approve zoning and land use Who is the Governor of your state now? - ANSWERSMinnesota Governor Tim Walz What is the capital of your state? - ANSWERSSaint Paul, Minnesota What are the two major political parties in the US? - ANSWERSdemocratic and republican parties What is the political party of the President now? - ANSWERSdemocratic What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? - ANSWERSNancy Pelosi (democrat from California) There are 4 amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. - ANSWERScitizens 18 and older you don't have to pay to vote any citizen can vote a male citizen of any race can vote What is one responsibility that is only for US citizens? - ANSWERSserve on a jury vote in federal elections