The Constitution and Bill of Rights Explained (US Citizenship Test)

What the test asks about the Constitution

• What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution.
• Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does. It forms the government, defines the powers of government, or defines the parts of government; it protects the rights of the people.
• 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, or “people should govern themselves.” Any of these is accepted.
• How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution? Amendments, or the amendment process.
• How many amendments does the Constitution have? Twenty-seven (27).
• What happened at the Constitutional Convention? The Constitution was written; the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution. When was it written? 1787.
• Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one. The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalist Papers, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the Mayflower Compact, or the Iroquois Great Law of Peace.

What the test asks about the Bill of Rights

• What does the Bill of Rights protect? The basic rights of Americans, or the basic rights of people living in the United States.
• Name one right or freedom from the First Amendment. Speech, religion, assembly, press, or petition the government.
• What is freedom of religion? You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
• What is one right of everyone living in the United States? Freedom of expression, of speech, of assembly, to petition the government, of religion, or the right to bear arms. These belong to residents, not only citizens.
• What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens? Serve on a jury, or vote in a federal election.
• What are two rights only for United States citizens? Vote in a federal election, and run for federal office.

Ideas the newer questions focus on

The 128-question test adds several “why” questions. 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. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Equality, liberty, social contract, natural rights, limited government, or self-government. There are three branches of government. Why? So one part does not become too powerful; checks and balances; separation of powers. If you understand these three ideas, a dozen questions become easy.

A short history to make the answers stick

After independence, the states first governed themselves under the Articles of Confederation, which created a weak central government with no power to tax. In the summer of 1787, delegates met in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention and wrote the Constitution, which created a stronger federal government with three branches. Many states agreed to ratify only if a list of protected rights was added, so the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights, were adopted in 1791. Since then, 17 more amendments have been added, including the 13th (abolishing slavery), the 15th and 19th (voting rights regardless of race and sex), the 22nd (two-term limit for the President), and the 26th (voting age 18).

Last reviewed and expanded by the USCitizenTestPractice Editorial Team in September 2026, based on the USCIS Policy Manual, the official 2025 civics test materials, and current USCIS fee and form instructions. This is an independent study resource, not legal advice.