Writing: Everything you need to know

About the writing test

Many people worry about the writing test part of the citizenship interview. But, there is some good news.

In the writing test, the officer will say one sentence, and the applicant will write it. The applicant will write it on a computer tablet.

You can ask the officer to repeat the sentence. It’s no problem, really!

The officer will look at the sentence. If the officer can understand it, you will pass.

In the rules for USCIS officers, it explains that these things are not a problem:

• Spelling mistakes with 1-3 letters
• Missing short words
• Writing that is not beautiful, but is clear

You only need to write one sentence to pass the test. If you do not pass the first time, you have 3 chances to pass.

Also, the sentences will only have some specific words:

• People
  • Adams
  • Lincoln
  • Washington
  • Father of Our Country
  • We
  • American Indians
  • Citizens
  • President
  • Senators
• Places
  • Alaska
  • California
  • Canada
  • Delaware
  • Mexico
  • New York City
  • United States
  • Washington, D.C.
• Holidays
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Flag Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Thanksgiving
• Months
  • February
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • September
  • October
  • November
• Verbs (Actions)
  • can
  • come
  • elect
  • have
  • has
  • is
  • was
  • be
  • lives
  • lived
  • meets
  • pay
  • vote
  • want
• Civics words
  • capital
  • Civil War
  • Congress
  • flag
  • free
  • freedom of speech
  • right
  • state
  • states
  • White House
• More information
  • blue
  • dollar bill
  • fifty / 50
  • first
  • largest
  • most
  • north
  • one
  • one hundred / 100
  • red
  • second
  • south
  • taxes
  • white

Here is the full list that you can print:

You can practice online, too!

Here are some example sentences the officer may ask you to write:

• The United States has fifty (50) states.
• Washington, D.C. is the capital.
• The flag is red, white, and blue.
• The flag has red and white stripes.
• Washington is on the dollar bill.
• Washington is the father of our country.
• Adams was the second president.
• Lincoln was president during the Civil War.
• New York City was the first capital.
• Delaware was the first state.
• California has the most people.
• Alaska is the largest state.
• Canada is north of the United States.
• Mexico is south of the United States.
• American Indians lived here first.
• The people elect Congress.
• Congress makes laws.
• We have one hundred (100) senators.
• Congress meets in Washington, D.C.
• We vote for president in November.
• The president lives in the White House.
• The White House is in Washington, D.C.
• People want to live in a free country.
• People come here to be free.
• Freedom of speech is a right.
• Presidents’ Day is in February.
• Flag Day is in June.
• Memorial Day is in May.
• Independence Day is in July.
• Labor Day is in September.
• Columbus Day is in October.
• Thanksgiving is in November.
• We have to pay taxes.
• Citizens can vote.
• People want to vote.