2008 civics test · Question 53 · Rights and Responsibilities
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
Any one of these answers is accepted
- give up loyalty to other countries
- defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
- obey the laws of the United States
- serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
- serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
- be loyal to the United States
What this means
When people become United States citizens, they take the Oath of Allegiance and make several promises. The test asks you to name one or two of them:
- Give up loyalty to other countries
- Defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States
- Obey the laws of the United States
- Serve in the military if needed
- Do important work for the nation if needed
The 2008 test asks for one promise; the 2025 test asks for two. The list is the same either way.
An easy pair to remember is “give up loyalty to other countries” and “obey the laws of the United States.”
Why this is on the test
New citizens take the Oath of Allegiance at their naturalization ceremony, so these promises are exactly what the applicant is preparing to do.
How this question is asked
On the 2008 civics test, the officer asks up to 10 of the 100 questions out loud and you pass by answering 6 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.
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More from Rights and Responsibilities.
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- 52 What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- 54 How old do citizens have to be to vote for President? ★ 65/20 question