One of the most important civics topics on the citizenship test is the structure of the U.S. government. It is split into three branches so that no single part becomes too powerful — a system called separation of powers.
1. The Legislative Branch (Congress)
Congress makes the laws. It has two parts:
- The House of Representatives — 435 voting members, based on each state’s population.
- The Senate — 100 members, two from each state.
2. The Executive Branch (the President)
The executive branch enforces the laws. It is led by the President, who is also the Commander in Chief of the military, supported by the Vice President and the Cabinet.
3. The Judicial Branch (the Courts)
The judicial branch reviews and interprets the laws. The highest court is the Supreme Court of the United States, which has nine justices.
Checks and balances
Each branch can limit the others. For example, Congress writes laws, the President can veto them, and the courts can rule whether a law is constitutional. This balance is a favorite topic on the civics test.
Practice now: Take the free US citizenship practice test or read every question in the most common civics questions.
This is an independent free study resource and is not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government, and is not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements at uscis.gov.
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