U.S. Citizenship Civics Test Rights and Responsibilities Summary

When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we show loyalty to the United States.
Other answer USCIS accepts: The flag.

Wrong choices

• The President: The pledge is to the country, not to one person.
• Your home country: New citizens show loyalty to the United States.
• Your state governor: The pledge is not to a governor.

Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Citizens, Citizens of the United States.

Wrong choices

• Lawful permanent residents: Green card holders cannot vote in federal elections or serve on a jury.
• Anyone who pays taxes: Paying taxes does not give the right to vote.
• Anyone living in the United States: Only citizens have these rights.

Serving in the military is one way Americans can serve their country.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Vote, Pay taxes, Obey the law, Run for office, Work for local, state, or federal government.

Wrong choices

• Avoid paying taxes: Paying taxes is a way to serve. Avoiding them breaks the law.
• Ignore court orders: Obeying the law serves the country.
• Give up your citizenship: This does not serve the country.

Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly are rights of everyone living in the United States.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Freedom of expression, Freedom to petition the government, The right to bear arms.

Wrong choices

• Right to vote, right to run for federal office, right to serve on a jury: These rights are only for citizens, not everyone living in the U.S.
• Right to a government job, right to free college, right to free housing: These are not rights in the Constitution.
• Right to skip taxes, right to ignore laws, right to avoid jury duty: No one has these rights. Everyone must obey the law.

People can become U.S. citizens by naturalizing. Naturalization is the legal process that immigrants go through to become citizens.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment; Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress).

Wrong choices

• Buy a house in the United States: Owning property does not make someone a citizen.
• Get a driver’s license: A driver's license does not give citizenship.
• Live in the United States for one month: Living here a short time does not make someone a citizen.

Voting and contacting elected officials are examples of civic participation.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Run for office, Join a political party, Help with a campaign, Join a civic group, Join a community group, Give an elected official your opinion, Support or oppose an issue or policy, Write to a newspaper.

Wrong choices

• Avoid jury duty, Skip elections: These are ways to stay out of civic life, not take part in it.
• Watch TV, Go shopping: These are personal activities, not civic participation.
• Renew a passport, Pay a parking ticket: These are personal tasks, not ways to take part in government.

It is important to pay federal taxes because it is required by law.
Other answers USCIS accepts: All people pay to fund the federal government, Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment), Civic duty.

Wrong choices

• Only business owners must pay them: All people with taxable income must pay federal taxes.
• To pay for political party campaigns: Taxes fund the federal government, not party campaigns.
• To buy U.S. citizenship: Paying taxes does not buy citizenship.

One voting amendment says citizens eighteen and older can vote.
Other answers USCIS accepts: You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote, Any citizen can vote (women and men can vote), A male citizen of any race (can vote).

Wrong choices

• Only people who own land can vote.: The Constitution does not limit voting to landowners.
• You must pass a reading test to vote.: No amendment requires a reading test to vote.
• Noncitizens can vote in federal elections.: Only citizens can vote in federal elections.

Two promises in the Oath of Allegiance are to defend the Constitution and obey the laws of the United States.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Give up loyalty to other countries, Serve in the military (if needed), Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed), Be loyal to the United States.

Wrong choices

• Keep loyalty to your home country, Vote in every election: New citizens give up loyalty to other countries. The oath does not require voting in every election.
• Join a political party, Live in one state forever: The oath does not include these promises.
• Speak only English at home, Buy a house: The oath does not include these promises.

Registering for the Selective Service makes the draft fair, if a draft is ever needed.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Required by law, Civic duty.

Wrong choices

• To be able to vote in state elections: Registering does not give voting rights.
• To receive a free college education: Registering does not give free college.
• To get a U.S. passport faster: Registering does not speed up a passport.