Name Two, Name Three, Name Five: The 2025 Civics Test Questions That Need More Than One Answer
Most questions on the 2025 civics test need one answer. A handful ask for more: “Name two,” “Name three,” even “Name five.” Those are the ones where people who know the material still slip. They give one good answer, then freeze.
Here are the nine questions in the official 128-question list that need more than one item. For each one we picked a short, safe set you can say the same way every time.
Why these need a plan
At the interview, the officer asks up to 20 questions, and you need 12 correct to pass (USCIS 128 questions list). USCIS doesn’t publish a partial-credit rule. When a question says “two,” plan to give two. The list of accepted answers is long on purpose, so you only need to own a few of them.
Three habits help:
- Count on your fingers while you answer. It keeps you from stopping at one.
- Learn your set in a fixed order and practice it out loud (why speaking helps).
- Didn’t catch the question? Ask the officer to repeat it. USCIS guidance says officers should repeat and rephrase questions (Policy Manual, Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2).
Quick table: what to memorize
| Question | Asks for | A safe set to say |
|---|---|---|
| Q10 Ideas from the Declaration and Constitution | 2 | Equality, Liberty |
| Q16 The three branches | 3 in one answer | Legislative, executive, judicial |
| Q19 Two parts of Congress | 2 in one answer | Senate and House |
| Q48 Cabinet-level positions | 2 | Secretary of State, Attorney General |
| Q65 Rights of everyone living in the U.S. | 3 | Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly |
| Q67 Promises in the Oath of Allegiance | 2 | Obey the laws of the United States, defend the Constitution |
| Q69 Examples of civic participation | 2 | Vote, join a community group |
| Q81 Original 13 states | 5 | New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland |
| Q126 National holidays ★ | 3 | New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day |
★ Q126 is one of the 20 starred questions for the 65/20 special consideration.
Q10: two important ideas (Declaration of Independence and Constitution)
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Accepted: Equality · Liberty · Social contract · Natural rights · Limited government · Self-government
Say: “Equality and liberty.” Both are short, easy to pronounce, and easy to remember together. More in Equality, Liberty and the Rule of Law.
Q16 and Q19: the answer itself has parts
Name the three branches of government. Accepted: Legislative, executive, and judicial · Congress, president, and the courts
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? Accepted: Senate and House (of Representatives)
These don’t say “name two,” but the official answer is a set. “Legislative” alone isn’t the full answer. Pick one version of Q16 and don’t mix them. “Congress, president, and the courts” is the plain-English version. See The Three Branches of Government and Congress: House and Senate.
Q48: two Cabinet-level positions
What are two Cabinet-level positions? USCIS accepts 22 answers, including Attorney General, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of War (Defense), Secretary of Education, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Vice-President.
Say: “Secretary of State and Attorney General.” Give the job title, not a person’s name. Names change, but the titles on the list don’t. See Vice President, Cabinet, and Electoral College.
Q65: three rights of everyone living in the United States
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? Accepted: Freedom of expression · Freedom of speech · Freedom of assembly · Freedom to petition the government · Freedom of religion · The right to bear arms
Say: “Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly.”
Common mix-up: “the right to vote” is not on this list. Voting in federal elections is a right of citizens (Q64), and this question is about everyone living in the U.S. Keep the two questions apart. More in Rights and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens.
Q67: two promises in the Oath of Allegiance
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance. Accepted: Give up loyalty to other countries · Defend the (U.S.) Constitution · Obey the laws of the United States · Serve in the military (if needed) · Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed) · Be loyal to the United States
Say: “Obey the laws of the United States and defend the Constitution.” You’ll make these promises for real at your ceremony. See Oath of Allegiance Promises and what happens at the oath ceremony.
Q69: two examples of civic participation
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States? Accepted: 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
Say: “Vote and join a community group.” If you want two that you could do today as a permanent resident, “Join a community group” and “Contact elected officials” both work. See How People Become Citizens, and Civic Participation.
Q81: name five of the 13 original states
There were 13 original states. Name five. Accepted: New Hampshire · Massachusetts · Rhode Island · Connecticut · New York · New Jersey · Pennsylvania · Delaware · Maryland · Virginia · North Carolina · South Carolina · Georgia
Say five neighbors in a row, north to south: “New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland.” Then you have a backup in Virginia if you blank on one.
Common mix-ups: Vermont, Maine, Florida and West Virginia are not original states. Neither is “Washington.” Full list and memory tips: Thirteen Original States.
Q126: name three national holidays
Name three national U.S. holidays. Accepted: New Year’s Day · Martin Luther King, Jr. Day · Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday) · Memorial Day · Juneteenth · Independence Day · Labor Day · Columbus Day · Veterans Day · Thanksgiving Day · Christmas Day
Say: “New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day.” That’s January, July and November, spread across the year so they’re easy to remember. Holidays that aren’t on the list (Easter, Halloween, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day) won’t count. See National Holidays on the 2025 Civics Test.
Practice these first
These nine are a good warm-up every study session, because they reward having a set answer ready:
- Take a free 20-question practice test. When one of these comes up, say your whole set out loud before you check.
- Use Listen mode on a walk and answer before the audio does.
- Review the topic pages: Principles of American Government, System of Government, Rights and Responsibilities, Colonial Period and Independence and Holidays.
Read next
- 42 Civics Test Questions With One- or Two-Word Answers: Learn These First
- Easily Confused Answers on the 2025 Civics Test
- Mock Civics Interview: 20 Questions From the 2025 Test
Sources: USCIS, 2025 Civics Test: 128 Questions and Answers (M-1778, 09/25), Check for Test Updates and Policy Manual Vol. 12, Part E, Ch. 2. Photo: Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0).
The 2025 civics test applies to Form N-400 applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. Not sure which test you’ll take? See 2008 vs 2025 by filing date. CitizenExams is not affiliated with USCIS.