American Civics Prep

Principles of American Democracy

The 14 official questions on Principles of American Democracy — numbers 1–14 of the 128-question bank for the 2025 civics test — with every accepted answer. At the interview the officer asks up to 20 questions from the full bank; 12 correct passes, and the officer stops at 12 right or 9 wrong.

  1. What is the form of government of the United States?

    • Republic
    • Constitution-based federal republic
    • Representative democracy

  2. What is the supreme law of the land?

    • The Constitution

  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

  4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?

    • Self-government
    • Popular sovereignty
    • Consent of the governed
    • People should govern themselves
    • (Example of) social contract

  5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

    • Amendments
    • The amendment process

  6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?

    • (The basic) rights of Americans
    • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States

  7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

    • Twenty-seven (27)

  8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

    • It says America is free from British control
    • It says all people are created equal
    • It identifies inherent rights
    • It identifies individual freedoms

  9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

    • Declaration of Independence

  10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

    • Equality
    • Liberty
    • Social contract
    • Natural rights
    • Limited government
    • Self-government

  11. The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?

    • Declaration of Independence

  12. What is the economic system of the United States?

    • Capitalism
    • Free market economy

  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

  14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

    • Declaration of Independence
    • Articles of Confederation
    • Federalist Papers
    • Anti-Federalist Papers
    • Virginia Declaration of Rights
    • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
    • Mayflower Compact
    • Iroquois Great Law of Peace

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