Question 3 of 128 American Government

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Answers USCIS accepts

Forms the government
Defines powers of government
Defines the parts of government
Protects the rights of the people

Give any one of these answers at your interview.

The Constitution forms the government, defines its powers and parts, and protects the rights of the people.

What it means

The Constitution is the plan for the U.S. government. It creates three branches (legislative, executive and judicial), explains what each branch can and cannot do, and sets up checks so no branch becomes too powerful.

It also protects people's rights, mainly through the first ten amendments, called the Bill of Rights, and later amendments.

You only need to give one answer. A simple, safe choice is "It forms the government" or "It protects the rights of the people."

First page of the U.S. Constitution beginning with the words We the People, signed in 1787 — The U.S. Constitution, page 1 (1787). National Archives. Public domain (U.S. National Archives), via Wikimedia Commons.

Memory tip: Remember "Form, Define, Protect": the Constitution forms the government, defines it and protects people.

Quiz yourself

Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Multiple choice is for study only. The real civics test is spoken: the officer asks, you answer out loud.

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Official source: USCIS M-1778 (09/25), 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Last checked: 2026-10-31.