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Symbols and Holidays: US Citizenship Test Practice Questions

10 practice questions from this part of the 2025 civics test. Answer out loud, then open “Show answer” to check it and read the explanation.

Independent practice. Not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government. The official questions and study guide are free on uscis.gov. Read them first; this page does not replace them.

1. What is the capital of the United States?
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Answer: Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., is named after George Washington. D.C. stands for District of Columbia, and it is not part of any state.

2. Where is the Statue of Liberty?
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Accepted answers:

  • New York (Harbor)
  • Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]

France gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship. It also stands for freedom.

3. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
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Accepted answers:

  • (Because there were) 13 original colonies
  • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies

The colors have meanings too: red stands for bravery, white for purity and blue for justice.

4. Why does the flag have 50 stars?
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Accepted answers:

  • (Because there is) one star for each state
  • (Because) each star represents a state
  • (Because there are) 50 states

Each of the 50 stars on the flag stands for one state. Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959.

5. What is the name of the national anthem?
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Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner

The national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which Francis Scott Key wrote after seeing the flag over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

6. The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
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Accepted answers:

  • Out of many, one
  • We all become one

E Pluribus Unum is Latin. It describes many states and people joining together as one nation.

7. What is Independence Day?
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Accepted answers:

  • A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
  • The country’s birthday

Independence Day, July 4, celebrates the Declaration of Independence, or the birth of the nation.

8. Name three national U.S. holidays.
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Accepted answers: Give 3 of these.

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

National holidays are also called federal holidays because Congress passed them and the President signed them into law. There are 11 of them.

9. What is Memorial Day?
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Answer: A holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, honors men and women who died in service. It was first called Decoration Day.

10. What is Veterans Day?
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Accepted answers:

  • A holiday to honor people in the (U.S.) military
  • A holiday to honor people who have served (in the U.S. military)

Veterans Day, November 11, honors everyone who served in the military, alive or deceased. It was first called Armistice Day, after World War I ended.

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Also see the Canadian citizenship practice test.