2008 civics test · Question 6 · Principles of American Democracy

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

One of the 20 questions for the 65/20 special consideration

Any one of these answers is accepted

  • speech
  • religion
  • assembly
  • press
  • petition the government

What this means

The First Amendment protects several basic freedoms, and naming one answers the question. The five it guarantees are:

  • Speech - you can say and write your opinions.
  • Religion - you can practice any faith, or none.
  • Press - newspapers and reporters can publish freely.
  • Assembly - people can gather together peacefully.
  • Petition - people can ask the government to fix problems.

These five freedoms all sit in a single amendment, the very first one in the Bill of Rights, which is a good way to remember them together.

You only need one. “Freedom of speech” or “freedom of religion” is the easiest answer for most people.

Why this is on the test

The First Amendment protects the everyday freedoms most people think of as American, and the test only asks you to name one of them.

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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