What word means a position or place?

The word that means a position or place, on the USCIS reading vocabulary list, is Office. An office, in civic usage, is a position of authority or trust held by an elected or appointed official. The U.S. Constitution establishes several offices and lays out their qualifications, terms, and duties.

The Office of the President of the United States, established by Article II, requires the holder to be a natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years old, and a U.S. resident for 14 years; the term is four years, with a maximum of two terms under the Twenty-Second Amendment. The offices of U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative are established by Article I, with senators serving six-year terms and representatives serving two-year terms. The Office of Vice President is established by the Twelfth Amendment (which revised the original presidential election system) and is filled by the running mate of the winning presidential candidate.

Federal judges hold their offices "during good Behaviour" under Article III, effectively for life unless they resign, retire, or are impeached. Cabinet offices, such as Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and Attorney General, are established by acts of Congress and filled by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The phrase "taking office" describes the moment an elected or appointed official begins service, typically after taking the oath of office. Public office carries fiduciary duties to the public, ethical restrictions under federal law (such as financial disclosure), and limits on accepting gifts or honoraria.

The word office is also used for physical buildings (the Oval Office, the executive office) and administrative units (the Office of Management and Budget). On the reading test Office may appear in a sentence about elected positions or government roles.