U.S. Citizenship Civics Test · Civics (American Government, History, Symbols and Holidays)
Written by AI · Not yet reviewed by staffU.S. Citizenship Civics Test Symbols and Holidays Summary
- Importance
- ★★★☆☆ (3 / 5)
- Weight
- About 2 of 20 Civics (American Government, History, Symbols and Holidays) questions (8%)
The capital, the Statue of Liberty, the flag's stripes and stars, the national anthem, the motto E Pluribus Unum, and national holidays (official questions 119-128).
📖 See Symbols and Holidays concepts →Symbols and Holidays: must-know points
- The flag has 13 stripes for the 13 original colonies and 50 stars for the 50 states.
- The national anthem is The Star-Spangled Banner.
- Independence Day celebrates the country's independence from Great Britain.
Symbols and Holidays: 10 sample questions
Question 1. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
- ① Because there were 13 original colonies
- ② Because there are 13 amendments in the Bill of Rights
- ③ Because there were 13 battles in the Revolutionary War
- ④ Because there were 13 presidents when it was made
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Answer: ① Because there were 13 original colonies
Key point: 13 stripes = 13 original colonies
The flag has 13 stripes because there were 13 original colonies.
Other answer USCIS accepts: (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies.
Wrong choices
- Because there are 13 amendments in the Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights has ten amendments.
- Because there were 13 battles in the Revolutionary War: The stripes stand for the colonies, not battles.
- Because there were 13 presidents when it was made: There were no presidents yet when the first flag was made.
Question 2. Name three national U.S. holidays.
- ① Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Mother’s Day
- ② Saint Patrick’s Day, Groundhog Day, April Fools’ Day
- ③ Boxing Day, Bastille Day, Canada Day
- ④ Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
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Answer: ④ Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day
Key point: National holidays: Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and more
Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day are national U.S. holidays.
Other answers USCIS accepts: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Christmas Day.
Wrong choices
- Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Mother’s Day: These are popular days, but they are not national (federal) holidays.
- Saint Patrick’s Day, Groundhog Day, April Fools’ Day: These are not national (federal) holidays.
- Boxing Day, Bastille Day, Canada Day: These are holidays in other countries.
Question 3. What is the capital of the United States?
- ① Los Angeles
- ② Chicago
- ③ New York City
- ④ Washington, D.C.
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Answer: ④ Washington, D.C.
Key point: Capital of the U.S. = Washington, D.C.
The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C.
Wrong choices
- New York City: New York City is the largest city, not the capital.
- Los Angeles: Los Angeles is not the capital.
- Chicago: Chicago is not the capital.
Question 4. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
- ① Boston Harbor
- ② San Francisco Bay
- ③ New York Harbor
- ④ Washington, D.C.
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Answer: ③ New York Harbor
Key point: Statue of Liberty: New York Harbor (Liberty Island)
The Statue of Liberty is in New York Harbor.
Other answers USCIS accepts: Liberty Island (also New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson River).
Wrong choices
- Washington, D.C.: The Statue of Liberty is not in the capital.
- San Francisco Bay: The statue is on the east coast, not the west coast.
- Boston Harbor: The statue is in New York Harbor.
Question 5. What is the name of the national anthem?
- ① America the Beautiful
- ② Yankee Doodle
- ③ God Bless America
- ④ The Star-Spangled Banner
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Answer: ④ The Star-Spangled Banner
Key point: National anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner
The national anthem is "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Wrong choices
- America the Beautiful: This is a patriotic song, not the national anthem.
- God Bless America: This is a patriotic song, not the national anthem.
- Yankee Doodle: This is an old song, not the national anthem.
Question 6. What is Independence Day?
- ① A holiday to honor people who served in the military
- ② A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
- ③ The country’s birthday
- ④ A holiday to celebrate the end of the Civil War
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Answer: ③ The country’s birthday
Key point: Independence Day = the country's birthday (July 4)
Independence Day is the country's birthday. It is celebrated on July 4.
Other answer USCIS accepts: A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain).
Wrong choices
- A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service: That is Memorial Day.
- A holiday to honor people who served in the military: That is Veterans Day.
- A holiday to celebrate the end of the Civil War: Independence Day celebrates independence from Britain.
Question 7. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
- ① Because there were 50 original colonies
- ② Because there is one star for each state
- ③ Because the Constitution has 50 articles
- ④ Because there are 50 senators
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Answer: ② Because there is one star for each state
Key point: 50 stars = 50 states
The flag has 50 stars because there is one star for each state.
Other answers USCIS accepts: (Because) each star represents a state, (Because there are) 50 states.
Wrong choices
- Because there are 50 senators: There are 100 senators. The stars stand for states.
- Because there were 50 original colonies: There were 13 original colonies.
- Because the Constitution has 50 articles: The stars stand for the 50 states.
Question 8. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
- ① Land of the free
- ② Out of many, one
- ③ Liberty and justice for all
- ④ In God we trust
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Answer: ② Out of many, one
Key point: E Pluribus Unum = Out of many, one
"E Pluribus Unum" means "Out of many, one." Many states and people come together as one nation.
Other answer USCIS accepts: We all become one.
Wrong choices
- In God we trust: That is a different motto, not the meaning of E Pluribus Unum.
- Land of the free: These words are from the national anthem.
- Liberty and justice for all: These words are from the Pledge of Allegiance.
Question 9. What is Memorial Day?
- ① A holiday to give thanks for the harvest
- ② A holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military
- ③ A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence
- ④ A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
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Answer: ④ A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
Key point: Memorial Day honors soldiers who died in service
Memorial Day is a holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service.
Wrong choices
- A holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military: That is Veterans Day.
- A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence: That is Independence Day.
- A holiday to give thanks for the harvest: That is Thanksgiving Day.
Question 10. What is Veterans Day?
- ① A holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military
- ② A holiday to honor the first president
- ③ A holiday to honor workers
- ④ A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence
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Answer: ① A holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military
Key point: Veterans Day honors people who served in the military
Veterans Day is a holiday to honor people who have served in the U.S. military.
Other answer USCIS accepts: A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military.
Wrong choices
- A holiday to honor workers: That is Labor Day.
- A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence: That is Independence Day.
- A holiday to honor the first president: That is Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday).
Test yourself.