How People Become Citizens — and Civic Participation on the 2025 Test (Q68–Q72)
Becoming a citizen and then participating in civic life sit next to each other on the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. This cluster covers Q68 through Q72—how people become citizens, civic participation, serving the country, federal taxes, and Selective Service—using official accepted wording. The hero image above shows early women voters at the ballot box, a classic act of civic participation.
Q68 — How can people become United States citizens?
Question: How can people become United States citizens?
Accepted answers (any one):
- Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
- Naturalize
- Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
For applicants who file Form N-400, the path named on the test is often simply Naturalize. Beyond the Q-bank, USCIS explains the naturalization process on Learn about citizenship and Citizenship through naturalization. Which civics bank you study depends on filing date—see 2008 vs 2025 civics test.
Q69 — Two examples of civic participation
Question: What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Accepted answers (name two from this list):
- Vote
- Run for office
- Join a political party
- Help with a campaign
- Join a civic group
- Join a community group
- Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue)
- Contact elected officials
- Support or oppose an issue or policy
- Write to a newspaper
Pick two short lines you can say clearly. Vote plus Contact elected officials (or Join a community group) works for many applicants. Related rights/responsibilities wording: Citizen rights and responsibilities.
Q70 — One way Americans can serve their country
Question: What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Accepted answers (any one):
- Vote
- Pay taxes
- Obey the law
- Serve in the military
- Run for office
- Work for local, state, or federal government
Q71 — Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Question: Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Accepted answers (any one):
- Required by law
- All people pay to fund the federal government
- Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
- Civic duty
Q72 — Selective Service — name one reason
Question: It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Accepted answers (any one):
- Required by law
- Civic duty
- Makes the draft fair, if needed
This is a civics knowledge question about the reason—not personal legal advice about registration for your situation. For the promises new citizens make at the oath ceremony, see Oath of Allegiance promises. For interview-day logistics, see Naturalization interview day tips.
One-minute review table
| Prompt | Say this (pick accepted line(s)) |
|---|---|
| Q68 — Become a citizen | e.g. Naturalize |
| Q69 — Civic participation (two) | e.g. Vote and Contact elected officials |
| Q70 — Serve the country | e.g. Vote or Serve in the military |
| Q71 — Pay federal taxes | e.g. Required by law or Civic duty |
| Q72 — Selective Service | e.g. Required by law or Civic duty |
Practice tip
Say each answer out loud. Then take a free scored practice test (20 questions, 12 correct to pass on the 2025 path). Returning daily practice—even a short Quick 5 or a full scored set a few times a week—beats cramming the night before.
Study these next
- Which civics test: 2008 vs 2025
- Citizen rights and responsibilities
- Oath of Allegiance promises
- Naturalization interview day tips
- Free scored practice test
This is an evergreen study post. Answers come from the official USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), used for Form N-400 filed on or after October 20, 2025 (Study for the Test; USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2). Process links above are public USCIS citizenship pages. Photo: Library of Congress.
This post summarizes public USCIS materials for educational study. It is not legal advice.