Citizenship Reading Test: Complete Vocabulary Guide
The citizenship test includes a reading portion where you'll read a sentence aloud in English. This guide covers every vocabulary word you need to know and strategies to practice effectively.
How the Reading Test Works
During your interview, the USCIS officer will show you a sentence to read aloud. Here's what to expect:
- You'll read 1 to 3 sentences
- You need to read 1 sentence correctly to pass
- Sentences use vocabulary from the official USCIS list
- You have 3 attempts if needed
The sentences are straightforward. If you can read the words in this guide, you can pass.
The Complete Reading Vocabulary
USCIS publishes the vocabulary used in reading test sentences. Here are all the words organized by category:
Civics Words
These words relate to American government and citizenship:
| Word | Practice Sentence |
|---|---|
| American | American citizens can vote. |
| flag | The flag has 50 stars. |
| citizens | Citizens have rights. |
| vote | People vote in November. |
| country | America is our country. |
| President | The President lives in the White House. |
| Congress | Congress makes laws. |
| state | Every state has two senators. |
| government | The government is in Washington. |
| capital | Washington, D.C. is the capital. |
| right | Voting is a right. |
Places
| Word | Practice Sentence |
|---|---|
| America | I live in America. |
| United States | The United States is a country. |
| Washington | Washington is the capital. |
| White House | The President lives in the White House. |
Months
| Word | Practice Sentence |
|---|---|
| February | Presidents' Day is in February. |
| May | Memorial Day is in May. |
| June | Flag Day is in June. |
| July | Independence Day is in July. |
| September | Labor Day is in September. |
| October | Columbus Day is in October. |
| November | We vote in November. |
Holidays
| Word | Practice Sentence |
|---|---|
| Presidents' Day | Presidents' Day is in February. |
| Memorial Day | Memorial Day is in May. |
| Flag Day | Flag Day is in June. |
| Independence Day | Independence Day is July 4. |
| Labor Day | Labor Day is in September. |
| Columbus Day | Columbus Day is in October. |
| Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving is in November. |
Verbs (Action Words)
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| can | Citizens can vote. |
| come | People come to America. |
| do/does | What does the President do? |
| elects | Congress elects leaders. |
| have/has | America has 50 states. |
| is/are/was/be | The flag is red, white, and blue. |
| lives | The President lives in the White House. |
| meets | Congress meets in Washington. |
| pay | Citizens pay taxes. |
| vote | People vote in November. |
| want | People want freedom. |
Question Words
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| how many | How many stars are on the flag? |
| what | What is the capital? |
| when | When is Independence Day? |
| where | Where does Congress meet? |
| who | Who is the President? |
| why | Why do people come to America? |
Other Important Words
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| a/an | A senator serves six years. |
| the | The President signs laws. |
| and | Red, white, and blue |
| colors | The flag has three colors. |
| dollar bill | George Washington is on the dollar bill. |
| first | George Washington was the first President. |
| largest | California is the largest state. |
| most | Most citizens vote. |
| north | Canada is north of the United States. |
| people | People have rights. |
| south | Mexico is south of the United States. |
Numbers
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| one | One right is free speech. |
| fifty/50 | The flag has 50 stars. |
Practice Strategies
Read Aloud Daily
Practice reading these words out loud every day. Reading silently is not enough—you need to hear yourself pronounce the words.
- Read each word slowly and clearly
- Read the practice sentences
- Focus on words you find difficult
- Record yourself and listen back
Focus on Trouble Spots
Some words are commonly mispronounced:
- February — Feb-roo-air-ee (the first "r" is often skipped)
- Wednesday — Wenz-day (the "d" is silent)
- Government — Guv-ern-ment (three syllables)
- President — Prez-i-dent (three syllables)
Practice these until they feel natural.
Build Confidence with Combinations
Practice combining words as they appear in sentences:
- "The President lives..."
- "Citizens can vote..."
- "Congress meets in..."
- "Independence Day is..."
Use Multiple Senses
- See the words written
- Say them out loud
- Hear yourself speaking
- Write them by hand
Using multiple senses helps words stick in your memory.
Sample Sentences
Here are example sentences similar to what you'll see on the test:
- Abraham Lincoln was the President during the Civil War.
- George Washington is on the dollar bill.
- Independence Day is in July.
- Citizens can vote.
- The United States flag is red, white, and blue.
- Congress meets in Washington, D.C.
- The President lives in the White House.
- People vote for the President in November.
- Memorial Day is in May.
- The first President was George Washington.
Practice reading each sentence clearly and at a normal pace.
Tips for Test Day
Stay calm. Nervousness can affect pronunciation. Take a breath before you read.
Read at a normal pace. Don't rush. Speaking too quickly can cause mistakes.
It's okay to start over. If you stumble, you can begin the sentence again.
Focus on being understood. Perfect pronunciation isn't required. The officer just needs to understand what you're reading.
You Can Do This
The reading test uses simple vocabulary and straightforward sentences. If you practice regularly with the words in this guide, you'll be well prepared.
Many applicants worry about this portion, but with focused practice, most pass easily. Read aloud every day, and the words will become familiar.
Ace Citizenship includes practice with reading vocabulary as part of your citizenship test preparation. Regular practice builds the confidence you need to succeed.