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Civics Test Question 121: Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

A question from the 2025 civics test, with the answers USCIS publishes and our explanation.

Translation
121
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?国旗为什么有 13 道条纹?¿Por qué tiene la bandera 13 franjas?
★ 65/20

Official answers

Any one of these is correct.

  • (Because there were) 13 original colonies(因为当初有)13 个最初的殖民地(Porque había) 13 colonias originales
  • (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies(因为条纹)代表最初的殖民地(Porque las franjas) representan las colonias originales

Explanation

The 13 red and white stripes stand for the 13 original colonies, which became the first 13 states.

Memory tip

💡 13 stripes = 13 original colonies. This is also a starred 65/20 question.

More questions in Integrated Civics · Symbols

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