Guides · Rights and responsibilities
Rights and responsibilities: the 10 questions about what citizenship gives and asks
Who can vote, what everyone in the country is entitled to, what new citizens promise in the oath, and why you pay taxes. The whole section, with the accepted answers.
One section of the civics test is about you. Rights and Responsibilities is ten questions on what citizenship gives, what it asks in return, and what belongs to everyone living in the country whether they are citizens or not. It is short, it overlaps with the oath you will take, and it is the section most worth understanding rather than memorizing.
Who can vote, and who can do what
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury? Citizens. That single word is the accepted answer, and it is the line the section draws: these three things are for citizens only.
There are four amendments about who can vote. Describe one. Citizens 18 and older can vote. Also accepted: you do not have to pay a poll tax to vote; any citizen can vote, women and men; a male citizen of any race can vote.
What belongs to everyone
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly. Also accepted: freedom of expression, freedom to petition the government, the right to bear arms. Note the wording: everyone living here, not only citizens. You need three, so learn four.
Becoming a citizen, and what you promise
How can people become United States citizens? Be born in the United States; naturalize; derive citizenship. Naturalize is the one you are doing.
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance. Give up loyalty to other countries; defend the Constitution. Also accepted: obey the laws of the United States; serve in the military if needed; serve the nation if needed; be loyal to the United States. You will say these words at your ceremony, so this is the one question you can study by reading the oath itself.
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? The United States, or the flag.
What citizenship asks
What are two examples of civic participation? Vote; run for office. Also accepted: join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic or community group, contact elected officials, write to a newspaper.
What is one way Americans can serve their country? Vote. Also accepted: pay taxes, obey the law, serve in the military, run for office, work for government.
Why is it important to pay federal taxes? Required by law. Also accepted: all people pay to fund the federal government; required by the 16th Amendment; civic duty.
It is important for all men 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why. Required by law. Also accepted: civic duty; it makes the draft fair if needed.
The pattern
Two answers cover half the section. Citizens answers the question about voting, office and juries. Required by law answers both taxes and Selective Service. And vote is accepted for civic participation and for serving the country. Learn those three words first, then the three freedoms, then the oath promises, which you will be saying out loud soon anyway.
Frequently asked questions
Who can vote in federal elections, according to the civics test?
Citizens of the United States.
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
Any three of: freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, the right to bear arms.
What promises do new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance?
Accepted answers include giving up loyalty to other countries, defending the Constitution, obeying U.S. laws, serving in the military if needed, serving the nation if needed, and being loyal to the United States. The question asks for two.
Study the official questions, free
Both versions of the civics test, the answers for your state, and practice tests in the real format with the real pass line.
Prepare for Citizenship teaches the test; it does not advise on applications. Anything about your own case belongs with your lawyer or USCIS. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.