How Much Do You Remember About High School Civics Class?

By: John Miller
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
How Much Do You Remember About High School Civics Class?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Were you terrible at math? Horrible in physics? Maybe you were much better in high school civics, which reviews many of the fundamental building blocks of the country. Can you pass our basic civics test?
After election, how long does the U.S. president serve?
2 years
4 years
for as long as he maintains his bloody grip on power
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

American presidents are elected to four-year terms. Some presidents spend much of that time simply campaigning for re-election.

Where is the Statue of Liberty located?
Arizona
Alaska
New York
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Statue of Liberty is located on Ellis Island in New York City. Each year, millions of people behold the statue, which is one of America's most enduring icons of freedom.

Who is the "father" of America?
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Donald Trump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

George Washington surmounted all odds in leading his army to victory over the British in the Revolution. Then he served two terms as the country's first president -- he is indeed the "father" of the nation.

Advertisement

What's the name of America's national anthem?
"Specious Skies"
"O, Canada"
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sure, no one can sing it, but it's funny to watch people try. "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem.

How many constitutional amendments are there?
3
27
666
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As of 2017, there are 27 Amendments to the Constitution. The Amendments are a vital way for the government to shift the Constitution as American society changes.

Presidents can serve a maximum of _____ terms in office.
2
3
8
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The World War II icon Franklin Roosevelt is America's only three-consecutive-term president. After his reign, a two-term limit was implemented.

Advertisement

Which ocean borders the east coast of Florida?
Atlantic Ocean
Indian Ocean
North Sea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Atlantic Ocean borders the east coast of the United States, including Florida. The west coast, of course, features the Pacific Ocean.

How long does a senator serve after being elected?
18 months
6 years
indefinitely
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Senators are elected to six-year terms. Elections are staggered so that roughly one-third of the Senate is up for re-election during a given year.

What's the name we use for the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
Bill of Wrongs
Manifest Destiny
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. The bill clarifies some of the most vital rights of American citizens.

Advertisement

How many branches are there in the federal government?
3
9
12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are three branches of the federal government: executive, judicial and legislative. Thanks to the office of the president, the executive branch is the most visible … and likely the most powerful.

If the president can no longer serve his term, who takes his place?
his chief of staff
Speaker of the House
the vice president
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vice presidents are known mostly for doing nothing. But once in a while, either by assassination, disease, or some other emergency, the V.P. must step into the top spot and become president.

The American flag features how many stars?
13
50
666
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag features 50 white stars. They represent each of the 50 states in the Union.

Advertisement

Members of the House of Representatives serve terms of what length?
2 years
8 years
12 years
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Members of the House serve short terms of just two years. The House features representatives from all 50 states

Who was president during World War I?
Lyndon Johnson
Woodrow Wilson
Ulysses Grant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wilson campaigned for president on an isolationist agenda meant to protect America from war. But once he got into office, he immediately set about sending troops to World War I.

The American Civil War was fought between the Union and _____.
Mexico
Planet X
Confederacy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the 1860s, the South seceded from the Union and formed the Confederacy. Abraham Lincoln immediately decided that the North would fight to preserve the Union.

Advertisement

Which of the following rights or freedoms is clarified by the First Amendment?
right to religious freedom
right to bear arms
right to arm bears
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The First Amendment clarifies freedom of speech, religion, the right to assemble and the right to petition the government with grievances.

What are the two most active political parties in America?
Republican and Green
Democratic and Republican
Democratic and Jedi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For decades, the Democratic and Republican parties have dominated American politics. Third parties come and go, but none so far have cracked the system.

When does America celebrate Independence Day?
December 25
November 26
July 4
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On July 4 of each year, Americans celebrate Independence Day, often simply called the Fourth of July. It recognizes the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Advertisement

Which document officially ended the relationship between American colonies and Britain?
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Declaration of Independence insisted -- politely, we might add -- that Britain could, like, kindly go away, if that's OK. But the king responded with death threats, and the Revolution took hold.

What is the capital of the United States?
New York
Washington, D.C.
Seattle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the country. As such, it is the workplace of the most powerful people on the planet not named Vladimir Putin.

Which "Purchase" doubled the size of the United States?
Louisiana Purchase
Texas Purchase
Alaska Purchase
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1803, the United States set out to buy the land around New Orleans for strategic and economic purposes. In a pleasant surprise, they wound up with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the country's size for the measly price of $15 million.

Advertisement

When are American men required to register for Selective Service?
age 16
age 18
age 22
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When they turn 18, men are required to register for the Selective Service. In the event of a draft, the government uses the Selective Service to conscript men for duty.

Name one U.S. state that borders Mexico.
Utah
Arizona
Iowa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Four states border Mexico. They are California, New Mexico, Texas … and Arizona.

How many voting members are there in the House of Representatives?
29
100
435
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are 435 voting members in the House. Each state has a certain number of representatives based on population numbers.

Advertisement

Thomas Jefferson is best known for writing which document?
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jefferson wielded a mighty pen -- he wrote the Declaration that severed ties with Britain. Later, he became president.

What's the purpose of the president's cabinet?
to protect a big red button
to advise him/her
to hold his/her prescription medicine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The president's cabinet is the circle of advisers who offer insights on daily decision making. A good cabinet can save a presidency; a bad one can result in a scandal of Watergate proportions.

How many U.S. senators are there?
100
25
8
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are two senators per state. Seeing as how there are 50 states, there are 100 senators serving in Washington.

Advertisement

The "New Deal" was a program designed to tackle which immense problem?
the Cold War
the Great Depression
World War I
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Franklin Roosevelt took office during the Great Depression, the worst economic problem in history. His New Deal implemented a flurry of policies meant to turn the tide.

Which president signed the Emancipation Proclamation?
Thomas Jefferson
Theodore Roosevelt
Abraham Lincoln
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the Civil War raged, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which (on paper) freed all slaves. But there was still the small detail of defeating the Confederacy.

How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?
1
9
22
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are nine justices serving on the Supreme Court. These men and women wield incredible power in shaping the laws of the land.

Advertisement

You Got:
/30
Shutterstock