Short answer: The USCIS naturalization English test uses a fixed list of reading words and a fixed list of writing words. Both lists are below, copied from the USCIS study guide Preparing for the Naturalization Test: A Pocket Study Guide (M-1122, revised 07/2024). If you learn these words, you can read and write the test sentences.
Carve the Raw is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency, and this page is not legal advice. USCIS can change test materials, so confirm the current lists at uscis.gov before you study.
How the English test works
According to USCIS information I checked, the English test has a reading part, a writing part and a speaking part. In reading and writing, you are given up to three sentences and must read (or write) one of them correctly. The sentences are about civics and U.S. history. The speaking part is assessed by the USCIS officer during your interview. Confirm the current rules and any changes on the USCIS website.
Reading vocabulary list
| Category | Reading test words |
|---|---|
| People | Abraham Lincoln, George Washington |
| Civics | American flag, Bill of Rights, capital, citizen, city, Congress, country, Father of Our Country, government, President, right, Senators, state/states, White House |
| Places | America, United States, U.S. |
| Holidays | Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving |
| Question words | How, What, When, Where, Who, Why |
| Verbs | can, come, do/does, elects, have/has, is/are/was/be, lives/lived, meet, name, pay, vote, want |
| Other (function words) | a, for, here, in, of, on, the, to, we |
| Other (content words) | colors, dollar bill, first, largest, many, most, north, one, people, second, south |
Writing vocabulary list
| Category | Writing test words |
|---|---|
| People | Adams, Lincoln, Washington |
| Civics | American Indians, capital, citizens, Civil War, Congress, Father of Our Country, flag, free, freedom of speech, President, right, Senators, state/states, White House |
| Places | Alaska, California, Canada, Delaware, Mexico, New York City, United States, Washington, Washington, D.C. |
| Months | February, May, June, July, September, October, November |
| Holidays | Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving |
| Verbs | can, come, elect, have/has, is/was/be, lives/lived, meets, pay, vote, want |
| Other (function words) | and, during, for, here, in, of, on, the, to, we |
| Other (content words) | blue, dollar bill, fifty/50, first, largest, most, north, one, one hundred/100, people, red, second, south, taxes, white |
Practice sentences
These sentences were written by Carve the Raw using only words from the lists above. They are not official test questions.
| Reading practice | Writing practice |
|---|---|
| Who was George Washington? | Citizens can vote. |
| What is the capital of the United States? | Washington was the first President. |
| Where is the White House? | Congress meets in Washington, D.C. |
| Who elects Senators? | We pay taxes. |
| How many people vote? | Alaska is the largest state. |
| When is Independence Day? | Memorial Day is in May. |
| Who lives in the White House? | Citizens vote in November. |
How to study the lists
- Learn one category a day. Say each word aloud, then spell it.
- Write each practice sentence three times without looking.
- Make your own sentences using only words from the list.
- Ask a friend to read a sentence aloud so you practice listening.
Source: USCIS, Preparing for the Naturalization Test: A Pocket Study Guide (M-1122).
Take the vocabulary practice quiz
1.Which of these places is on the USCIS writing vocabulary list?
2.Which month is on the writing vocabulary list?
3.Which holiday is on the vocabulary lists?
4.Which question word is on the reading vocabulary list?
5.Which verb is on the reading vocabulary list?
6.Which color word is on the writing vocabulary list?
7.Which name is on both the reading and writing lists?
8.Complete the sentence: Citizens ___ vote.
9.Which sentence uses only words from the writing vocabulary list?
10.According to the USCIS information checked for this page, how many of the three sentences must you read correctly?
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the official USCIS reading and writing vocabulary lists?
They are in the USCIS study guide Preparing for the Naturalization Test: A Pocket Study Guide (M-1122) and on the USCIS website.
How many sentences do I have to read and write correctly?
According to USCIS information, you must read one of three sentences and write one of three sentences correctly. Check uscis.gov for the current rules.
Are the practice sentences on this page official?
No. They were written for this page using only words from the lists and are not official test questions.
