Are 'America', 'the US', and 'the USA' all interchangeable? I have an exam soon, and don't want to say anything that is incorrect- politically or otherwise.
Americans use all three, but USA is United States of America, America is two continents, North America and South America. US is United States, and could be referring to the EU, as they are basically a United States of Europe. Personally, I am Canadian, but also American as I live in North America.
For the most part, yes. The only country that is ever referred to as "America" is the United States of America. No other country has the word "America" in its name.
Yes. USA is the abbreviation of United States of America. US is short for USA. And America is most generally used for the USA. While others pose the view that because the live in another country on the North or South American continent they are also American, they are usually referred to as North American or South American, and in some instances Central American.
Personally, I use USA just to be safe, as US can be seen as too casual, and America could be seen as a continent instead of a country. It really depends on the marker, but that's what I'd do.