The ideas the country was built on: the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the rule of law.
Las ideas sobre las que se construyó el país: la Constitución, la Declaración de Independencia, la Carta de Derechos y el estado de derecho.
15 official questions★ 3 for 65/20Bilingual EN/ESPractice interview
Answer in English at your interview. Spanish is here to help you understand. If you qualify for an English exemption (50/20, 55/15 or 65/20), you can take the civics test in your language. Responde en inglés en la entrevista; el español está aquí para ayudarte a entender.
2.1
Two founding documents you must not mix up
Many questions ask about two documents. The Declaration of Independence (1776) said the colonies were free from Britain. The Constitution (1787) built the government and is the supreme law of the land.
La Declaración de Independencia (1776) dijo que las colonias eran libres. La Constitución (1787) creó el gobierno y es la ley suprema.
👆 Tap each document · Toca cada documento
🧠 Memory hook · Truco de memoria“The Declaration DECLARES we are free. The Constitution CONSTRUCTS the government.”Declaration → 1776 → Jefferson → “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. Constitution → 1787 → “We the People” → supreme law. La Declaración declara la libertad; la Constitución construye el gobierno.
Official questions · Preguntas oficiales
2.2
What the Constitution does
The Constitution forms the government, defines its powers and its parts, and protects the rights of the people. It starts with “We the People”: the government gets its power from the people. The country is a republic, a representative democracy: we elect people to make decisions for us.
La Constitución forma el gobierno, define sus poderes y sus partes, y protege los derechos del pueblo. Empieza con “Nosotros el Pueblo”: el poder viene del pueblo.
🧠 Memory hook · Truco de memoriaF · P · P · PForms the government · defines Powers · defines Parts · Protects rights. One F and three P's. Forma, Poderes, Partes, Protege.
👆 Tap the right meaning · Elige el significado
Official questions · Preguntas oficiales
2.3
Amendments and the Bill of Rights
Changes to the Constitution are called amendments. There are 27. The first 10 are the Bill of Rights, which protects the basic rights of people living in the United States.
Los cambios a la Constitución se llaman enmiendas. Hay 27. Las primeras 10 son la Carta de Derechos.
👆 Tap an amendment · Toca una enmienda
🧠 Memory hook · Truco de memoria“10 rights, 27 changes”Count your fingers: 10 fingers = Bill of Rights. For 27, think 2 + 7 = 9, the same as the 9 Supreme Court seats. 10 dedos = Carta de Derechos. 27: 2 + 7 = 9, como los 9 jueces de la Corte Suprema.
Official questions · Preguntas oficiales
2.4
Big ideas: rule of law, capitalism, separation of powers
Rule of law: everyone must follow the law, including leaders and the government. No one is above the law. Economic system: capitalism, a free market economy. Three branches: so one part does not become too powerful.
Estado de derecho: todos obedecen la ley, nadie está por encima. Sistema económico: capitalismo, libre mercado. Tres ramas: para que ninguna tenga demasiado poder.
👆 Tap each idea · Toca cada idea
🧠 Memory hook · Truco de memoria“No kings here.”Three branches, rule of law and limited government all answer the same worry from 1776: never again one person with all the power. “Aquí no hay reyes”: nadie debe tener todo el poder.
Official questions · Preguntas oficiales
2.✓
Practice like the interview
The officer asks out loud and you answer out loud. Press 🔊 to hear the question, say your answer, then check it honestly. The real test stops at 12 correct (pass) or 9 wrong.
El oficial pregunta en voz alta y tú respondes en voz alta. Usa 🔊, responde y califícate con honestidad.
