121. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Symbols and Holidays · Symbols65/20 special consideration question
Accepted answer(s)
- (Because there were) 13 original colonies
- (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
This is one of the more straightforward questions on the 2025 Civics Test: it tests recognition of a national symbol or holiday rather than detailed history. The official answer is "(Because there were) 13 original colonies", and most applicants find this category the fastest to memorize.
This is question 121 of the 2025 Civics Test. See it on uscis.gov. This question is worded the same way on the 2008 Civics Test.