System of Government

The 48 official questions on System of Government — numbers 15–62 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.

15. There are three branches of government. Why?

    • So one part does not become too powerful
    • Checks and balances
    • Separation of powers

16. Name the three branches of government.

    • Legislative, executive, and judicial
    • Congress, president, and the courts

17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

    • Executive branch

18. What part of the federal government writes laws?

    • (U.S.) Congress
    • (U.S. or national) legislature
    • Legislative branch

19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

    • The Senate and House (of Representatives)

20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

    • Writes laws
    • Declares war
    • Makes the federal budget

21. How many U.S. senators are there?

    • One hundred (100)

22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?

    • Six (6) years

23. Who is one of your state's U.S. senators now?

    Answers will vary — check your state.

24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

    • Four hundred thirty-five (435)

25. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

    • Two (2) years

26. Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?

    • To more closely follow public opinion

27. How many senators does each state have?

    • Two (2)

28. Why does each state have two senators?

    • Equal representation (for small states)
    • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

29. Name your U.S. representative.

    Answers will vary — check your state.

30. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

    • Mike Johnson

31. Who does a U.S. senator represent?

    • Citizens of their state
    • People of their state

32. Who elects U.S. senators?

    • Citizens from their state

33. Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

    • Citizens in their (congressional) district
    • People from their (congressional) district

34. Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

    • Citizens from their (congressional) district

35. Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?

    • (Because of) the state's population
    • (Because) they have more people
    • (Because) some states have more people

36. The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

    • Four (4) years

37. The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

    • (Because of) the 22nd Amendment
    • To keep the president from becoming too powerful

38. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

    • Donald Trump
    • Donald J. Trump

39. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

    • JD Vance
    • J.D. Vance

40. If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

    • The Vice President (of the United States)

41. Name one power of the president.

    • Signs bills into law
    • Vetoes bills
    • Enforces laws
    • Commander in Chief (of the military)
    • Chief diplomat
    • Appoints federal judges

42. Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

    • The President (of the United States)

43. Who signs bills to become laws?

    • The President (of the United States)

44. Who vetoes bills?

    • The President (of the United States)

45. Who appoints federal judges?

    • The President (of the United States)

46. The executive branch has many parts. Name one.

    • President (of the United States)
    • Cabinet
    • Federal departments and agencies

47. What does the President's Cabinet do?

    • Advises the President (of the United States)

48. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

    • Attorney General
    • Secretary of Agriculture
    • Secretary of Commerce
    • 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
    • Secretary of War (Defense)
    • Vice President
    • Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    • Administrator of the Small Business Administration
    • Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
    • Director of the Office of Management and Budget
    • Director of National Intelligence
    • United States Trade Representative

49. Why is the Electoral College important?

    • It decides who is elected president
    • It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection

50. What is one part of the judicial branch?

    • Supreme Court
    • Federal Courts

51. What does the judicial branch do?

    • Reviews laws
    • Explains laws
    • Resolves disputes (disagreements) about the law
    • Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution

52. What is the highest court in the United States?

    • The Supreme Court

53. How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

    • Nine (9)

54. How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?

    • Five (5)

55. How long do Supreme Court justices serve?

    • (For) life
    • Lifetime appointment
    • (Until) retirement

56. Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?

    • To be independent (of politics)
    • To limit outside (political) influence

57. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

    • John Roberts
    • John G. Roberts, Jr.

58. Name one power that is only for the federal government.

    • Print paper money
    • Mint coins
    • Declare war
    • Create an army
    • Make treaties
    • Set foreign policy

59. Name one power that is only for the states.

    • Provide schooling and education
    • Provide protection (police)
    • Provide safety (fire departments)
    • Give a driver's license
    • Approve zoning and land use

60. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

    • (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people

61. Who is the governor of your state now?

    Answers will vary — check your state.

62. What is the capital of your state?

    Answers will vary — check your state.

Last verified against USCIS on 2026-08-25.