Reading Vocabulary Practice Test

Practice test questions — Reading Vocabulary

1. In the sentence 'Abraham Lincoln was a President,' the word 'Lincoln' refers to:

   • A famous American baseball player
   • Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States ✓
   • A type of automobile
   • A city in Nebraska

   The USCIS English Reading Test includes proper nouns from the PEOPLE vocabulary list: ABRAHAM LINCOLN, GEORGE WASHINGTON. These names appear frequently in test sentences. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving 1861-1865. He is best known for: leading the cou…

2. In the sentence 'The President lives in the White House,' which word names a building?

   • President
   • White House ✓
   • lives
   • the

   The WHITE HOUSE is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. The White House is part of the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list for the Reading Test. Construction began in 1792 and the building was first occup…

3. In the sentence 'The United States has 50 states,' the underlined word 'states' refers to:

   • Conditions or situations
   • The 50 political subdivisions that together form the United States of America ✓
   • Statements or declarations
   • Stations on a railway

   STATES in the USCIS reading vocabulary refers to the political divisions that make up the United States. The U.S. has 50 STATES, each with its own state government, governor, state legislature, and state constitution. The number 50 is on the USCIS reading vocabulary numbers list. Common reading test…

4. In the sentence 'We celebrate Independence Day on July 4,' the underlined holiday is:

   • Christmas
   • Independence Day (also known as the Fourth of July) ✓
   • Thanksgiving Day
   • Memorial Day

   INDEPENDENCE DAY is on the USCIS HOLIDAYS vocabulary list. It is celebrated on JULY 4 (the 4th of July) each year and commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Other holidays on the USCIS reading vocabulary list: PRESIDENTS' DAY (third Monday in February, honors G…

5. Which of the following is a QUESTION WORD on the USCIS reading test vocabulary list?

   • Always
   • How (also on list: what, when, where, who, why) ✓
   • Yesterday
   • Maybe

   USCIS reading test questions begin with QUESTION WORDS. The vocabulary list includes: HOW, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHO, WHY. Sample reading test sentences in QUESTION form: 'Who was the first President?' 'When do we celebrate Independence Day?' 'Where does the President live?' 'What is the capital of the…

6. In the sentence 'George Washington was the Father of Our Country,' Washington was:

   • A state in the Pacific Northwest
   • The first U.S. President, often called the 'Father of Our Country' ✓
   • A modern politician
   • An ancient Roman general

   GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799) was the first President of the United States and is honored with the title 'Father of Our Country' (also 'Father of His Country'). The phrase 'Father of Our Country' appears in the USCIS reading vocabulary CIVICS list. Washington's accomplishments include: commanding th…

7. In the sentence 'Congress meets in Washington, D.C.,' Congress is:

   • A type of meeting
   • The legislative branch of the U.S. federal government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives ✓
   • A foreign government
   • A street in Washington

   CONGRESS is on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. It refers to the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government, consisting of: the SENATE (100 members, 2 per state) and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (435 voting members, based on state population). Congress meets in the U.S. CAPITOL building in W…

8. In the sentence 'Washington is the capital of the United States,' the word 'capital' means:

   • Money or financial wealth
   • The city where the national government is located — for the U.S., Washington, D.C. ✓
   • A type of letter (uppercase)
   • A military rank

   CAPITAL is on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. In civic/political context, CAPITAL means the CITY that serves as the seat of government. The capital of the United States is WASHINGTON, D.C. (District of Columbia). Sample reading test sentences: 'Washington is the capital of the United States.' 'The…

9. In the sentence 'Memorial Day is in May,' which is correct?

   • Memorial Day is in July
   • Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May to honor those who died in U.S. military service ✓
   • Memorial Day is December 25
   • Memorial Day is the same as Veterans Day

   MEMORIAL DAY is a federal holiday on the USCIS HOLIDAYS VOCABULARY list. It is observed on the LAST MONDAY IN MAY. The holiday honors U.S. military personnel who died in service to the country. Sample reading test sentences: 'Memorial Day is in May.' 'We honor soldiers on Memorial Day.' 'Memorial Da…

10. Which sentence begins with a question word from the USCIS reading vocabulary?

    • Always vote in elections.
    • Where is the White House? ✓
    • Many states have governors.
    • The flag is red, white, and blue.

    QUESTION WORDS are essential vocabulary on the USCIS Reading Test. Recognizing them helps the applicant read questions with proper intonation. Question words on the USCIS list: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, HOW. Sample questions on the reading test: 'WHERE is the White House?' (Question word + linkin…

11. Read this sentence: 'The flag has 50 stars.' What is being described?

    • The flag of another country
    • The American flag, where each star represents one of the 50 states ✓
    • A book about astronomy
    • A movie about flags

    The AMERICAN FLAG has 50 STARS, one for each of the 50 STATES in the United States. It also has 13 STRIPES (alternating red and white), representing the original 13 colonies that declared independence. Sample reading test sentences: 'The flag has 50 stars.' 'The American flag is red, white, and blue…

12. Read this sentence: 'A right is something that the government cannot take from you.' Which of the following is true about rights?

    • Rights belong only to elected officials
    • Rights are protections (such as freedom of speech, religion, etc.) that are guaranteed under the Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights ✓
    • Rights are paid privileges only available to wealthy people
    • Rights expire after one year

    RIGHTS is on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. Rights are FREEDOMS and PROTECTIONS guaranteed to people under the U.S. Constitution, particularly the BILL OF RIGHTS (the first 10 amendments). Important rights include: FREEDOM OF SPEECH (1st Amendment); FREEDOM OF RELIGION (1st Amendment); FREEDOM OF…

13. Read: 'America is in North America.' The word 'America' here refers to:

    • South America
    • The United States of America (commonly called 'America' or 'the United States') ✓
    • A small country in Asia
    • An island in the Pacific

    AMERICA is on the USCIS PLACES VOCABULARY list. It refers to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The U.S. is located on the continent of NORTH AMERICA. Reading test sentences: 'America is in North America.' 'America is a country.' 'America has fifty states.' 'America has a flag.' 'I am happy to live in Am…

14. Read the sentence: 'The President meets with the Senators.' Who are the Senators?

    • Officials who deliver mail
    • Members of the U.S. Senate, the upper chamber of Congress; 100 Senators (2 from each state), serving 6-year terms ✓
    • Foreign ambassadors only
    • Members of state government only

    SENATORS is on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. There are 100 U.S. SENATORS — 2 from each of the 50 states. Senators are part of CONGRESS (the legislative branch); they make up the SENATE (the upper chamber). They serve 6-year terms (longest term of any elected federal office except Supreme Court j…

15. Read: 'Thanksgiving is in November.' What is celebrated?

    • A celebration of the new year
    • A traditional American holiday celebrating gratitude, family, and the autumn harvest; observed on the fourth Thursday of November ✓
    • A summer beach festival
    • A military victory parade

    THANKSGIVING is on the USCIS HOLIDAYS VOCABULARY list. It is celebrated on the FOURTH THURSDAY OF NOVEMBER each year — a major American federal holiday focused on GRATITUDE, FAMILY, and the harvest. Origins: traditionally traced to a 1621 feast shared by the Pilgrims (English colonists at Plymouth) …

16. Read: 'The people vote for the President.' This sentence describes:

    • A foreign country's elections
    • Democratic elections in the United States, where eligible voters elect the President every 4 years through the Electoral College system ✓
    • An ancient monarchy
    • A military leader's selection

    VOTE is on the USCIS VERBS VOCABULARY list. The sentence 'The people vote for the President' captures a foundational principle of American democracy: ELECTIONS by eligible voters determine who holds elected office. Sample reading test sentences: 'People vote in elections.' 'Citizens can vote.' 'We v…

17. Read: 'The country has 50 states.' What does 'country' mean in this sentence?

    • A rural area outside the city
    • A nation or independent political community; here, the United States as a single nation made up of 50 states ✓
    • Country music style
    • A small village

    COUNTRY is on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. In the political sense, a COUNTRY is a NATION — an independent political community with a defined territory and government. The UNITED STATES is a COUNTRY with 50 STATES. Sample reading test sentences: 'The country has 50 states.' 'America is a country…

18. In the question 'Who is the first President?', the answer is:

    • Benjamin Franklin
    • George Washington (the first President of the United States, 1789-1797) ✓
    • Abraham Lincoln
    • Thomas Jefferson

    Sample reading test question: 'Who is the first President?' Answer: GEORGE WASHINGTON. This is a common question pattern on the USCIS reading test: a WH-QUESTION word + a sentence asking about a fact from the civics curriculum. Other similar question patterns: 'WHEN is Independence Day?' → July 4. '…

19. Read: 'Citizens can vote.' What rights and responsibilities does this describe?

    • Only the right to attend movies
    • U.S. citizens have the right to vote in federal elections (a right reserved for citizens); voting is also considered a responsibility of citizenship ✓
    • The right to drive without a license
    • An obligation to join the military

    Sample reading test sentence: 'Citizens can vote.' This describes both a RIGHT and a RESPONSIBILITY of U.S. citizenship. CITIZEN is on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. Becoming a U.S. citizen brings new rights and responsibilities. RIGHTS ONLY FOR CITIZENS: VOTING in federal elections; RUNNING for …

20. Read: 'The President is the leader of the United States.' Who is the President?

    • The most senior member of Congress
    • The head of the executive branch of the federal government, elected every 4 years ✓
    • The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
    • An informal title with no specific role

    PRESIDENT is on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. The President of the United States is the head of the EXECUTIVE BRANCH of the federal government and is often called the leader of the country. The President's roles include: CHIEF EXECUTIVE (enforces federal laws); COMMANDER IN CHIEF (head of the ar…

21. Read: 'Labor Day is in September.' When is this holiday celebrated?

    • Labor Day is in July
    • Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September — a federal holiday honoring American workers ✓
    • Labor Day is in November
    • Labor Day is in May

    LABOR DAY is on the USCIS HOLIDAYS VOCABULARY list. It is observed on the FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER. Labor Day honors the contributions of workers to the prosperity of the United States. Common reading test sentences: 'Labor Day is in September.' 'We celebrate Labor Day in September.' 'Labor Day is …

22. Read: 'People have the right to be free.' The word 'free' on the USCIS reading list means:

    • Having no cost
    • Having liberty and independence — the ability to act, speak, or think without restrictions; a core American value ✓
    • Not working
    • Empty or available

    FREE (in the civic sense) and FREEDOM are on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. In the context of American democracy, 'free' means having LIBERTY — the ability to live, speak, and act without oppression. Common reading test sentences: 'People have the right to be free.' 'America is the land of the fr…

23. Read: 'The President is elected by the people.' In this sentence, 'elected' means:

    • Appointed by the Supreme Court
    • Chosen by voters through an election; elected officials are selected by citizen votes ✓
    • Assigned by the previous president
    • Selected by Congress

    ELECTS is on the USCIS VERBS VOCABULARY list. The verb 'elect' means to choose someone by voting. READING TEST SENTENCES using 'elects' or 'elected': 'The people elect the President.' 'Congress elects its leaders.' 'Citizens can vote in elections.' American democracy is based on FREE AND FAIR ELECTI…

24. Read: 'The White House is in Washington.' Where is the White House located?

    • New York City
    • Washington, D.C. — at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; the official residence and workplace of the President ✓
    • Philadelphia
    • Boston

    WASHINGTON is on the USCIS PLACES VOCABULARY list. Combined with the CIVICS vocabulary word WHITE HOUSE, this forms one of the most common USCIS reading test sentences. 'The White House is in Washington.' 'The President lives in the White House.' 'Washington, D.C. is the capital.' The White House ha…

25. Read: 'We have freedom of speech in the United States.' What does this mean?

    • Americans must make speeches in public
    • Americans have the right to express their opinions freely without government punishment — one of the five First Amendment freedoms ✓
    • Only politicians may speak publicly
    • Speech is free (costs no money)

    FREEDOM OF SPEECH is one of the five freedoms protected by the FIRST AMENDMENT and appears on the USCIS CIVICS VOCABULARY list. Freedom of speech means: citizens can express opinions, criticize the government, and share ideas WITHOUT fear of government punishment; the government cannot imprison or f…

26. Read: 'All people living in the United States have the right to freedom of speech.' What does this sentence mean?

    • Only citizens can speak freely
    • People in the United States can say what they think ✓
    • Only government officials have freedom of speech
    • Freedom of speech only applies in courts

    This sentence says that ALL PEOPLE living in the United States can say what they think — this is freedom of speech. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech for everyone in the United States, not just citizens. Note that the USCIS reading test uses simple vocabulary at an English-learner level…

27. Read: 'The President lives in the White House.' What does this sentence tell us?

    • The President works in Congress
    • The President's home is the White House ✓
    • The White House is a museum
    • All government workers live in the White House

    This sentence tells us that the President lives in the White House. The White House is the official residence and office of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. The USCIS reading test includes simple sentences about government buildings…

28. Read: 'Citizens of the United States have the right to vote.' What is the right described in this sentence?

    • The right to own land
    • The right to vote ✓
    • The right to travel
    • The right to work

    The sentence describes the RIGHT TO VOTE — a fundamental right of US citizens. Voting allows citizens to choose their government leaders and have a voice in government decisions. The USCIS reading test asks test-takers to identify the main idea or key information in a simple sentence. In this senten…

29. Read: 'The United States flag has fifty stars and thirteen stripes.' What do the fifty stars represent?

    • The thirteen original colonies
    • The fifty states in the Union ✓
    • The years since independence
    • The members of Congress

    The fifty STARS on the US flag represent the FIFTY STATES. One star for each state. The THIRTEEN STRIPES represent the thirteen original colonies that became the first states when the United States declared independence from Britain in 1776. The USCIS reading test frequently includes simple sentence…

30. Read: 'Congress makes the laws of the United States.' What does Congress do?

    • Commands the military
    • Makes the laws ✓
    • Interprets the Constitution
    • Leads foreign policy

    According to this sentence, Congress MAKES THE LAWS. Congress is the legislative branch of the US government. It consists of two parts: the Senate (100 senators, 2 per state) and the House of Representatives (435 members, based on state population). Congress's primary role is to write, debate, and p…

31. Read: 'George Washington was the first President of the United States.' What was George Washington?

    • The first general of the Continental Army
    • The first President of the United States ✓
    • The writer of the Constitution
    • The first Chief Justice

    According to this sentence, George Washington was the FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. He served two terms from 1789 to 1797. Washington is also known as the 'Father of His Country.' The USCIS reading test uses sentences about famous Americans — George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and others ap…

32. Read: 'Senators serve six-year terms.' How long is a senator's term?

    • Two years
    • Four years
    • Six years ✓
    • Eight years

    According to this sentence, senators serve SIX-YEAR TERMS. The US Senate has 100 senators — 2 from each state. Their six-year terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of senators are up for election every two years. Compare: members of the House of Representatives serve TWO-YEAR terms; th…

33. Read: 'The Constitution is the highest law of the United States.' What is the Constitution?

    • A list of US Presidents
    • The highest law of the United States ✓
    • The national anthem
    • A book about US history

    According to this sentence, the Constitution is the HIGHEST LAW OF THE UNITED STATES. All other laws must agree with the Constitution — if a law contradicts the Constitution, the Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional and invalid. The Constitution was written in 1787 in Philadelphia. It estab…

34. Read: 'Abraham Lincoln ended slavery in the United States.' What did Abraham Lincoln do?

    • Started the Civil War
    • Won World War II
    • Ended slavery in the United States ✓
    • Wrote the Declaration of Independence

    According to this sentence, Abraham Lincoln ENDED SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES. Lincoln was the 16th President and served during the Civil War (1861-1865). The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) freed enslaved people in the Confederate states; the 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery throughout the…

35. Read: 'The Declaration of Independence says that all people are created equal.' What does the Declaration of Independence say about people?

    • All people must pay taxes
    • All people are created equal ✓
    • Only citizens have equal rights
    • People must earn equality

    The sentence states that the Declaration of Independence says ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL. This phrase comes from the Declaration of Independence (1776), written primarily by Thomas Jefferson. The full phrase is: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they ar…

36. Read: 'The Senate is part of Congress.' What does this sentence say the Senate is part of?

    • The Supreme Court
    • Congress ✓
    • The White House
    • The states

    The sentence says the Senate is part of CONGRESS. The USCIS reading test asks the applicant to read a simple sentence aloud and demonstrate comprehension. Congress is the legislative branch and has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The reading test uses civics vocabulary, so st…

37. Read: 'Citizens can vote for the President.' Who can vote for the President according to this sentence?

    • Only senators
    • Citizens ✓
    • Only the President
    • Anyone in the world

    According to the sentence, CITIZENS can vote for the President. The USCIS reading test presents simple civics sentences; the applicant reads one aloud correctly to pass. U.S. citizens have the right to vote in federal elections, including for President (through the electoral process). The reading vo…

38. Read: 'Memorial Day is in May.' What month is Memorial Day in, according to the sentence?

    • July
    • May ✓
    • December
    • January

    According to the sentence, Memorial Day is in MAY. The USCIS reading test includes sentences about American holidays and dates. Memorial Day (honoring those who died in military service) is observed on the last Monday of May. The reading test uses simple, clear sentences with civics and holiday voca…

39. Read: 'The President lives in Washington, D.C.' Where does the President live, according to the sentence?

    • New York
    • Washington, D.C. ✓
    • California
    • Texas

    According to the sentence, the President lives in WASHINGTON, D.C. The White House (the President's residence and office) is in Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. The USCIS reading test uses simple sentences about the government and its officials; reading vocabulary like 'President' and 'Washin…

40. Read: 'Many people come to America to be free.' Why do many people come to America, according to the sentence?

    • To be free ✓
    • To be cold
    • To pay taxes
    • To find gold

    According to the sentence, many people come to America TO BE FREE. The USCIS reading test uses simple sentences expressing American values and ideas. Freedom is a central theme in American civics. Reading and understanding such a sentence aloud demonstrates the basic English reading ability required…

41. Read: 'The colonists came to America.' Who came to America, according to the sentence?

    • The senators
    • The colonists ✓
    • The presidents
    • The justices

    According to the sentence, the COLONISTS came to America. The USCIS reading test uses sentences drawn from American history vocabulary. The colonists were the early settlers who came to America and later fought for independence from Britain, forming the original 13 colonies. 'Colonists' is part of t…

42. Read: 'Lincoln was President during the Civil War.' When was Lincoln President, according to the sentence?

    • During World War II
    • During the Civil War ✓
    • During the Revolutionary War
    • During the Gulf War

    According to the sentence, Lincoln was President DURING THE CIVIL WAR. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President and led the nation through the Civil War (1861-1865). The USCIS reading test uses sentences about historical figures and events; reading vocabulary like 'Lincoln,' 'President,' and 'Civil Wa…

43. Read: 'We pay taxes to the government.' Who do we pay taxes to, according to the sentence?

    • The neighbors
    • The government ✓
    • Other countries
    • The colonists

    According to the sentence, we pay taxes to the GOVERNMENT. Paying taxes is a responsibility of people living in the United States, and the taxes fund government services. The USCIS reading test uses simple sentences with civics vocabulary; 'taxes' and 'government' are common reading and civics terms…

44. Read: 'The people elect Congress.' Who elects Congress, according to the sentence?

    • The President
    • The people ✓
    • The Supreme Court
    • Other countries

    According to the sentence, THE PEOPLE elect Congress. In a representative democracy, citizens vote to elect their representatives in Congress (senators and representatives). The USCIS reading test uses sentences about how American government works; reading vocabulary like 'people,' 'elect,' and 'Con…

45. Read: 'The first President was George Washington.' Who was the first President, according to the sentence?

    • Abraham Lincoln
    • George Washington ✓
    • Thomas Jefferson
    • John Adams

    According to the sentence, the first President was GEORGE WASHINGTON. He served from 1789 to 1797 and is called the 'Father of Our Country.' The USCIS reading test uses simple sentences about American history and government; reading vocabulary like 'first,' 'President,' and 'George Washington' overl…

46. Read: 'The flag is red, white, and blue.' What colors is the flag, according to the sentence?

    • Green and yellow
    • Red, white, and blue ✓
    • Black and white
    • Orange and purple

    According to the sentence, the flag is RED, WHITE, AND BLUE. The American flag's colors are red, white, and blue, with 50 stars (for the states) and 13 stripes (for the original colonies). The USCIS reading test uses simple sentences about national symbols; color words and 'flag' are common reading …

47. Read: 'George Washington is the Father of Our Country.' Who is the Father of Our Country, according to the sentence?

    • Abraham Lincoln
    • George Washington ✓
    • Thomas Jefferson
    • Benjamin Franklin

    According to the sentence, GEORGE WASHINGTON is the Father of Our Country. He was the first President and led the nation's founding. The USCIS reading test uses sentences about important historical figures; reading vocabulary like 'George Washington' and 'country' overlaps with the civics test. Read…

48. Read: 'Congress meets in Washington, D.C.' Where does Congress meet, according to the sentence?

    • In New York
    • In Washington, D.C. ✓
    • In California
    • In Texas

    According to the sentence, Congress meets in WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Capitol building, where Congress meets, is located in Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. The USCIS reading test uses simple sentences about the government; reading vocabulary like 'Congress' and 'Washington, D.C.' appears on…

49. Read: 'We elect a President in November.' In what month do we elect a President, according to the sentence?

    • In July
    • In November ✓
    • In January
    • In May

    According to the sentence, we elect a President in NOVEMBER. U.S. presidential elections are held in November (the first Tuesday after the first Monday). The USCIS reading test uses sentences about elections and the calendar; reading vocabulary like 'elect,' 'President,' and 'November' is common. Re…

50. Read: 'The people have many rights.' What do the people have, according to the sentence?

    • Many cars
    • Many rights ✓
    • Many problems
    • Many taxes

    According to the sentence, the people have MANY RIGHTS. In the United States, citizens and residents have many rights protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press). The USCIS reading test uses simple sentences about American government and …

51. In the sentence 'George Washington was the first President,' the word 'Washington' refers to:

    • The state in the Pacific Northwest
    • George Washington, the first President of the United States ✓
    • A street name
    • A type of monument

    The USCIS English Reading Test includes proper nouns from the PEOPLE vocabulary list, and GEORGE WASHINGTON is one of the most common. In a reading sentence such as 'George Washington was the first President,' the name refers to the founding leader who commanded the Continental Army and became the f…

52. In the sentence 'The President lives in the White House,' the words 'White House' refer to:

    • Any house painted white
    • The official residence and workplace of the U.S. President ✓
    • A museum in New York
    • The Capitol building

    WHITE HOUSE is on the USCIS reading vocabulary list under CIVICS terms. In a reading sentence like 'The President lives in the White House,' it refers to the official residence and workplace of the President, located in Washington, D.C. The reading test draws sentences from a published vocabulary of…

53. In the sentence 'Congress meets in Washington,' the word 'Congress' refers to:

    • A single senator
    • The legislative branch that makes the nation's laws ✓
    • The President's cabinet
    • A courthouse

    CONGRESS is a key CIVICS term on the USCIS reading vocabulary list. In a sentence such as 'Congress meets in Washington,' it refers to the legislative branch of the federal government — made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives — which writes the nation's laws. The reading test pairs ci…

54. In the sentence 'The capital of the United States is in Washington,' the word 'Washington' (a place) refers to:

    • President George Washington
    • Washington, D.C., the nation's capital ✓
    • The Atlantic Ocean
    • A national park

    On the USCIS reading vocabulary list, WASHINGTON appears both as a PERSON (George Washington) and as a PLACE (Washington, D.C.). In a sentence about the 'capital of the United States,' Washington refers to the place — Washington, D.C., where the federal government is located. The reading test expect…

55. In the sentence 'I live in the United States,' the words 'United States' refer to:

    • A single city
    • The country also known as America or the U.S. ✓
    • A state
    • A river

    UNITED STATES is on the USCIS reading vocabulary list under PLACES. In a sentence such as 'I live in the United States,' it refers to the country itself — the nation made up of 50 states, also called America or the U.S. The reading test builds short sentences from places, people, civics terms, quest…

56. In the sentence 'Presidents' Day is in February,' the words 'Presidents' Day' refer to:

    • A type of election
    • A U.S. holiday honoring the presidents ✓
    • The first day of a President's term
    • A day Congress meets

    PRESIDENTS' DAY is on the USCIS reading vocabulary list under HOLIDAYS. In a sentence such as 'Presidents' Day is in February,' it refers to the federal holiday observed in February that honors U.S. presidents (historically associated with George Washington's birthday). The reading test includes hol…

57. In the sentence 'Independence Day is in July,' the words 'Independence Day' refer to:

    • A state holiday only
    • The national holiday on July 4 celebrating U.S. independence ✓
    • A day to elect the President
    • A military parade day

    INDEPENDENCE DAY is on the USCIS reading vocabulary list under HOLIDAYS. In a sentence such as 'Independence Day is in July,' it refers to the federal holiday on July 4 that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The reading test pairs holiday vocabulary with months and …

58. The USCIS reading test sentences often begin with question words. Which of the following is a question word the test uses?

    • Because
    • When (also Who, What, Where, Why, How) ✓
    • Quickly
    • Beautiful

    The USCIS reading vocabulary includes a set of QUESTION WORDS that frequently begin test sentences: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and the phrase 'How many.' For example, a reading sentence might be 'When do we vote for President?' or 'Where is the White House?' Recognizing these question words h…

59. In the reading sentence 'Who was the first President?', the word 'Who' is used to ask about:

    • A place
    • A person ✓
    • A date
    • A reason

    On the USCIS reading test, the question word 'Who' is used to ask about a person. In the sentence 'Who was the first President?', 'Who' signals that the answer is a person (George Washington). The reading vocabulary's question words each point to a type of answer: 'Who' asks about a person, 'Where' …

60. On the USCIS reading test, how many sentences must an applicant read correctly to pass this portion?

    • All three sentences
    • One out of up to three sentences ✓
    • Five sentences
    • Ten sentences

    To pass the reading portion of the naturalization test, the applicant must read aloud one sentence correctly out of up to three attempts. The USCIS officer shows sentences built from the published reading vocabulary, and the applicant reads them. Minor mistakes that do not interfere with meaning — s…

61. In the sentence 'Why do we pay taxes?', the sentence is asking about:

    • A place where taxes are paid
    • A reason for paying taxes ✓
    • A person who pays taxes
    • The amount of taxes

    In the reading sentence 'Why do we pay taxes?', the question word 'Why' indicates the sentence is asking about a reason. The USCIS reading test combines question words, civics vocabulary (like 'taxes' and 'pay'), and verbs into short, readable sentences. Comprehending what the sentence asks — here, …

62. In a reading sentence, the names on the PEOPLE vocabulary list that an applicant should recognize are:

    • Only modern celebrities
    • George Washington and Abraham Lincoln ✓
    • Names of current senators
    • Names of foreign leaders

    The USCIS reading vocabulary list under PEOPLE contains just two names: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. These appear in reading sentences such as 'George Washington was the first President' or 'Lincoln was the President during the Civil War.' Because the list is short, applicants can focus on…

63. In the sentence 'Citizens can vote,' the word 'vote' (a civics term) means:

    • To pay a fee
    • To choose a candidate or decide an issue in an election ✓
    • To serve in the military
    • To pass a law

    VOTE is on the USCIS reading vocabulary list. In the sentence 'Citizens can vote,' the word 'vote' means to make a choice in an election — choosing a candidate or deciding an issue. Voting in federal elections is a right and responsibility reserved for U.S. citizens. The reading test combines civics…

64. In the sentence 'The President lives in Washington,' which best identifies 'Washington' as used here?

    • The first President
    • Washington, D.C., a place ✓
    • A state park
    • An ocean

    In the sentence 'The President lives in Washington,' the word 'Washington' is used as a PLACE — referring to Washington, D.C., where the President resides and the federal government is located. On the USCIS reading vocabulary list, Washington appears as both a person (George Washington) and a place …

65. What is the best preparation strategy for the USCIS reading test?

    • Memorize entire paragraphs
    • Practice reading the published vocabulary words (people, civics, places, holidays, question words, and verbs) in simple sentences ✓
    • Learn only numbers
    • Study only spelling

    The most effective preparation for the reading test is to practice reading the words on the published USCIS reading vocabulary list — people (Washington, Lincoln), civics terms (President, Congress, White House, vote, taxes), places (United States, Washington D.C.), holidays, question words (Who, Wh…