History, geography and culture

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• freedom
• political liberty
• religious freedom
• economic opportunity
• practice their religion
• escape persecution

Religious freedom is one accepted reason. The published list also includes political liberty, economic opportunity and escaping persecution.

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• American Indians
• Native Americans

Native Americans or American Indians is accepted. Indigenous peoples lived in the Americas long before European colonization.

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• Africans
• people from Africa

Africans or people from Africa is accepted. The question concerns forced transportation and enslavement, not voluntary migration.

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• because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
• because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
• because they didn’t have self-government

One reason was taxation without representation. Quartering British troops and lacking self-government are also accepted reasons.

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• (Thomas) Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the principal drafter. Remember his connection with the Declaration rather than confusing it with the later Constitution.

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• July 4, 1776

It was adopted on July 4, 1776. This is the full historical date, while the annual holiday is July 4.

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• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia

Give three from the original thirteen, for example Virginia, Massachusetts and New York. Later states such as California do not fit this question.

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• The Constitution was written.
• The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

The Constitution was written there. The convention concerned designing the new framework of government, not declaring independence.

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• 1787

The Constitution was written in 1787. Keep this separate from 1776, the year of the Declaration of Independence.

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• (James) Madison
• (Alexander) Hamilton
• (John) Jay
• Publius

Madison, Hamilton or Jay is accepted; Publius is their shared pen name. Only one writer or the accepted pen name is needed.

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• U.S. diplomat
• oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
• first Postmaster General of the United States
• writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
• started the first free libraries

Being a U.S. diplomat is one accepted example. Other published answers include his postal, library, writing and convention roles.

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• (George) Washington

George Washington is called the Father of Our Country because of his founding leadership. He was also the first President.

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• (George) Washington

George Washington was the first U.S. President. This is a historical person, unlike questions asking who holds office now.

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• the Louisiana Territory
• Louisiana

The Louisiana Territory was the purchase. The historical territory was much larger than today’s state of Louisiana.

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• War of 1812
• Mexican-American War
• Civil War
• Spanish-American War

The Civil War is one accepted example. The War of 1812, Mexican-American War and Spanish-American War also belong to the 1800s.

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• the Civil War
• the War between the States

The Civil War, also called the War between the States in this version, was fought between the Union and Confederacy.

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• slavery
• economic reasons
• states’ rights

Slavery is one accepted answer and central to the conflict. The published bank also accepts economic reasons or states’ rights.

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• freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
• saved (or preserved) the Union
• led the United States during the Civil War

Preserving the Union is one accepted achievement. Leading during the Civil War or issuing the Emancipation Proclamation also fits the published answers.

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• freed the slaves
• freed slaves in the Confederacy
• freed slaves in the Confederate states
• freed slaves in most Southern states

It declared freedom for enslaved people in the Confederate areas it covered. Nationwide abolition came later through the 13th Amendment.

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• fought for women’s rights
• fought for civil rights

She fought for women’s rights, particularly voting rights. The published bank also accepts that she fought for civil rights.

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• World War I
• World War II
• Korean War
• Vietnam War
• (Persian) Gulf War

World War II is one example. World War I, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War are also published answers from the 1900s.

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• (Woodrow) Wilson

Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I. Associate Wilson with the first world war, not Franklin Roosevelt’s later presidency.

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• (Franklin) Roosevelt

Franklin Roosevelt served during both periods. Do not confuse him with Theodore Roosevelt, a different President.

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• Japan, Germany, and Italy

The published answer names Japan, Germany and Italy together: the principal Axis powers opposing the United States.

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• World War II

Eisenhower was a general in World War II before becoming President. The question links his military career to that war.

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• Communism

The 2008 bank’s answer is communism. It refers to the ideological rivalry of the Cold War, especially with the Soviet Union.

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• civil rights (movement)

The civil rights movement worked to end racial discrimination. “Civil rights” concerns equal treatment and legal rights, not a military conflict.

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• fought for civil rights
• worked for equality for all Americans

He fought for civil rights and equality for all Americans. One of those published descriptions is enough.

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• Terrorists attacked the United States.

Terrorists attacked the United States. The question identifies the September 11 attacks, rather than a later military response.

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• Cherokee
• Navajo
• Sioux
• Chippewa
• Choctaw
• Pueblo
• Apache
• Iroquois
• Creek
• Blackfeet
• Seminole
• Cheyenne
• Arawak
• Shawnee
• Mohegan
• Huron
• Oneida
• Lakota
• Crow
• Teton
• Hopi
• Inuit

[USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.]

Cherokee or Navajo is one example; many other listed tribes qualify. The official note allows officers to consult a federally recognized tribe list.

• [USCIS Officers will be supplied with a list of federally recognized American Indian tribes.]

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• Missouri (River)
• Mississippi (River)

Missouri or Mississippi is accepted. Name one river; the question does not require both.

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• Pacific (Ocean)

The Pacific Ocean borders the West Coast. Pair west with Pacific and east with Atlantic.

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• Atlantic (Ocean)

The Atlantic Ocean borders the East Coast. Pair east with Atlantic and west with Pacific.

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• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• American Samoa
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Guam

Puerto Rico is one accepted example. Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands are also listed territories.

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• Maine
• New Hampshire
• Vermont
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Ohio
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• North Dakota
• Montana
• Idaho
• Washington
• Alaska

New York is one accepted example; Alaska is another. Choose any state in the published northern-border list.

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• California
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Texas

California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas border Mexico. Give one of these four states.

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• Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., is the national capital. Distinguish the federal district from Washington state in the northwest.

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• New York (Harbor)
• Liberty Island
• New Jersey
• near New York City
• on the Hudson (River)

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

New York Harbor or Liberty Island is accepted. The official note also accepts New Jersey, near New York City or on the Hudson River.

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

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• because there were 13 original colonies
• because the stripes represent the original colonies

The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies. They preserve the founding number rather than the current number of states.

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• because there is one star for each state
• because each star represents a state
• because there are 50 states

Each star represents a state, so 50 stars represent 50 states. Contrast stars for states with stripes for original colonies.

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• The Star-Spangled Banner

The national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Learn the title; the question does not ask you to sing it.

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• Freedom
• Political liberty
• Religious freedom
• Economic opportunity
• Escape persecution

Religious freedom is one accepted reason. The published list also includes political liberty, economic opportunity and escaping persecution.

Answers required: 1

• American Indians
• Native Americans

Native Americans or American Indians is accepted. Indigenous peoples lived in the Americas long before European colonization.

Answers required: 1

• Africans
• People from Africa

Africans or people from Africa is accepted. The question concerns forced transportation and enslavement, not voluntary migration.

Answers required: 1

• American Revolution
• The (American) Revolutionary War
• War for (American) Independence

The American Revolution, Revolutionary War or War for Independence are accepted names for the conflict against British rule.

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• High taxes
• Taxation without representation
• British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)
• They did not have self-government
• Boston Massacre
• Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
• Stamp Act
• Sugar Act
• Townshend Acts
• Intolerable (Coercive) Acts

Taxation without representation is one accepted reason. Quartering soldiers, lacking self-government and the listed British acts or colonial protests also qualify.

Answers required: 1

• (Thomas) Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the principal drafter. Remember his connection with the Declaration rather than confusing it with the later Constitution.

Answers required: 1

• July 4, 1776

It was adopted on July 4, 1776. This is the full historical date, while the annual holiday is July 4.

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• (Battle of) Bunker Hill
• Declaration of Independence
• Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)
• (Battle of) Saratoga
• Valley Forge (Encampment)
• (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)

The British surrender at Yorktown is one accepted event. The Declaration of Independence, Saratoga and other events in the official list also qualify.

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• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia

Give five original states, for example Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia. This version needs five, unlike three in 2008.

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• (U.S.) Constitution

The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787. The Declaration of Independence belongs to 1776, so keep document and date paired.

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• (James) Madison
• (Alexander) Hamilton
• (John) Jay
• Publius

Madison, Hamilton or Jay is accepted; Publius is their shared pen name. Only one writer or the accepted pen name is needed.

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• They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
• They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.

They explained the Constitution and supported its adoption. Think of persuasive essays for ratification, rather than a separate constitution.

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• Founded the first free public libraries
• First Postmaster General of the United States
• Helped write the Declaration of Independence
• Inventor
• U.S. diplomat

Being a U.S. diplomat is one answer. Libraries, postal leadership, helping draft the Declaration or being an inventor are other published choices.

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• “Father of Our Country”
• First president of the United States
• General of the Continental Army
• President of the Constitutional Convention

Being the first U.S. President is one answer. Father of Our Country, Continental Army general or convention president are other published choices.

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• Writer of the Declaration of Independence
• Third president of the United States
• Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase)
• First Secretary of State
• Founded the University of Virginia
• Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom

Writing the Declaration of Independence is one answer. His presidency, Louisiana Purchase and other achievements in the list are also accepted.

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• “Father of the Constitution”
• Fourth president of the United States
• President during the War of 1812
• One of the writers of the Federalist Papers

“Father of the Constitution” is one answer. Fourth President, President during the War of 1812 or Federalist Papers writer are other published choices.

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• First Secretary of the Treasury
• One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
• Helped establish the First Bank of the United States
• Aide to General George Washington
• Member of the Continental Congress

First Secretary of the Treasury is one accepted achievement. Federalist Papers authorship and the other listed roles are also valid.

Answers required: 1

• Louisiana Territory
• Louisiana

The Louisiana Territory was the purchase. The historical territory was much larger than today’s state of Louisiana.

Answers required: 1

• War of 1812
• Mexican-American War
• Civil War
• Spanish-American War

The Civil War is one accepted example. The War of 1812, Mexican-American War and Spanish-American War also belong to the 1800s.

Answers required: 1

• The Civil War

The Civil War is the published name. It was fought between the Union and Confederacy; distinguish it from the earlier war for independence.

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• (Battle of) Fort Sumter
• Emancipation Proclamation
• (Battle of) Vicksburg
• (Battle of) Gettysburg
• Sherman’s March
• (Surrender at) Appomattox
• (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg
• Lincoln was assassinated.

The Battle of Gettysburg is one example. The Emancipation Proclamation, Appomattox surrender and other listed wartime events also qualify.

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• Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
• Saved (or preserved) the Union
• Led the United States during the Civil War
• 16th president of the United States
• Delivered the Gettysburg Address

Preserving the Union is one accepted achievement. Leading during the Civil War or issuing the Emancipation Proclamation also fits the published answers.

Answers required: 1

• Freed the slaves
• Freed slaves in the Confederacy
• Freed slaves in the Confederate states
• Freed slaves in most Southern states

It declared freedom for enslaved people in the Confederate areas it covered. Nationwide abolition came later through the 13th Amendment.

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• The Civil War

The Civil War is the accepted answer. Its outcome and the 13th Amendment led to nationwide abolition of slavery.

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• 14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment contains this citizenship clause. Retain the question’s jurisdiction condition rather than dropping it from the concept.

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• After the Civil War
• During Reconstruction
• (With the) 15th Amendment
• 1870

The bank accepts 1870, the 15th Amendment, Reconstruction or after the Civil War. Legal guarantees did not immediately end discriminatory voting barriers.

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• Susan B. Anthony
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton
• Sojourner Truth
• Harriet Tubman
• Lucretia Mott
• Lucy Stone

Susan B. Anthony is one accepted leader. Stanton, Truth, Tubman, Mott and Stone are other published choices; one name is enough.

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• World War I
• World War II
• Korean War
• Vietnam War
• (Persian) Gulf War

World War II is one example. World War I, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War are also published answers from the 1900s.

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• Because Germany attacked U.S. (civilian) ships
• To support the Allied Powers (England, France, Italy, and Russia)
• To oppose the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria)

German attacks on U.S. civilian ships is one accepted reason. Supporting the Allies or opposing the Central Powers are other published explanations.

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• 1920
• After World War I
• (With the) 19th Amendment

The bank accepts 1920, after World War I or the 19th Amendment. Discriminatory barriers still prevented many women from voting in practice.

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• Longest economic recession in modern history

The bank describes it as the longest economic recession in modern history. It was a prolonged economic crisis, not a war.

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• The Great Crash (1929)
• Stock market crash of 1929

The published answer is the stock market crash of 1929. Remember 1929 for its beginning, rather than Roosevelt’s later presidency.

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• (Franklin) Roosevelt

Franklin Roosevelt served during both periods. Do not confuse him with Theodore Roosevelt, a different President.

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• (Bombing of) Pearl Harbor
• Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
• To support the Allied Powers (England, France, and Russia)
• To oppose the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan)

Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor is one accepted reason. Supporting the Allies or opposing the Axis Powers are other published explanations.

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• General during World War II
• President at the end of (during) the Korean War
• 34th president of the United States
• Signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Created the Interstate System)

General during World War II is one accepted answer. His presidency, Korean War role or signing the 1956 highway act are other choices.

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• Soviet Union
• USSR
• Russia

The Soviet Union or USSR is the precise historical name; the bank also accepts Russia. The question asks for a rival country, not an ideology.

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• Communism
• Nuclear war

Communism or nuclear war is accepted in the 2025 bank. Give one concern; do not confuse it with the question asking for the Soviet Union.

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• To stop the spread of communism

The published reason is stopping the spread of communism. Link the Korean War to Cold War containment policy.

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• To stop the spread of communism

The published reason is stopping the spread of communism. The test gives the same general Cold War rationale for Korea and Vietnam.

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• Fought to end racial discrimination

It fought to end racial discrimination. The focus is equal treatment and rights, not a particular election or military war.

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• Fought for civil rights
• Worked for equality for all Americans
• Worked to ensure that people would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”

He fought for civil rights and equality for all Americans. One of those published descriptions is enough.

Answers required: 1

• To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait

The accepted reason is to force Iraq’s military out of Kuwait. Distinguish this conflict from the later Iraq War after September 11.

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• Terrorists attacked the United States
• Terrorists took over two planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City
• Terrorists took over a plane and crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia
• Terrorists took over a plane originally aimed at Washington, D.C., and crashed in a field in Pennsylvania

Terrorists attacked the United States. The question identifies the September 11 attacks, rather than a later military response.

Answers required: 1

• (Global) War on Terror
• War in Afghanistan
• War in Iraq

The War in Afghanistan is one example. The War in Iraq or Global War on Terror are also published answers.

Answers required: 1

• Apache
• Blackfeet
• Cayuga
• Cherokee
• Cheyenne
• Chippewa
• Choctaw
• Creek
• Crow
• Hopi
• Huron
• Inupiat
• Lakota
• Mohawk
• Mohegan
• Navajo
• Oneida
• Onondaga
• Pueblo
• Seminole
• Seneca
• Shawnee
• Sioux
• Teton
• Tuscarora

For a complete list of tribes, please visit bia.gov.

Cherokee or Navajo is one accepted example; other listed tribes also qualify. The official note points to bia.gov for a complete list.

• For a complete list of tribes, please visit bia.gov.

Answers required: 1

• Light bulb
• Automobile (cars, internal combustion engine)
• Skyscrapers
• Airplane
• Assembly line
• Landing on the moon
• Integrated circuit (IC)

The airplane is one published example. The light bulb, assembly line, moon landing and other items in the official list also qualify.

Answers required: 1

• Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., is the national capital. Distinguish the federal district from Washington state in the northwest.

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• New York (Harbor)
• Liberty Island
• New Jersey
• near New York City
• on the Hudson (River)

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

New York Harbor or Liberty Island is accepted. The official note also accepts New Jersey, near New York City or on the Hudson River.

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

Answers required: 1

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

The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies. They preserve the founding number rather than the current number of states.

Answers required: 1

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

Each star represents a state, so 50 stars represent 50 states. Contrast stars for states with stripes for original colonies.

Answers required: 1

• The Star-Spangled Banner

The national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Learn the title; the question does not ask you to sing it.

Answers required: 1

• Out of many, one
• We all become one

It means “Out of many, one”; “We all become one” is also accepted. The phrase expresses unity formed from many parts.