AMDG

US Citizenship Examination

The process by which citizens of one country become citizens of another is called naturalization. Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the Constitution gives Congress the exclusive power to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization. Today our population includes more than 11 naturalized citizens. Immigrants who want to become US citizens must pass an exam to show that they understand the basic principles of US history and government. The exams purpose is to ensure that new citizens have the necessary knowledge about US government and history to become good citizens. Passing this examination is one step in the naturalization process. Below are 20 sample questions that could appear on a US citizenship exam. You must get at least 12 correct to pass (60%).

Discussion Questions:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. What do the stripes on the flag mean? What country did the US fight during the Revolutionary War? What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence? Who elects the President of the US? How many terms can a President serve? What is the highest court in the US? Who signs bills into laws? Who was the President during the Civil War? How many Supreme Court justices are there?

What is citizenship? Why do some high schools have citizenship classes? What does it mean to be a good citizen? Are these questions useful predictors of good citizenship? What are some other ways the US could screen applicants for citizenship? Does knowledge alone make a good citizen?

10. What is the Supreme Law of the US? 11. What is the Bill of Rights? 12. How many senators are there in Congress? 13. How many representatives are there in Congress? 14. How many times may a congressman/woman be re-elected? 15. Who has the power to declare war? 16. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution? 17. Which countries were our enemies during World War II? 18. Why did the Pilgrims come to America? 19. Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner? 20. What is the minimum voting age in the US?

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS?

1. Who is the current President? Vice President? 2. Identify the political party holding power right now in Congress. 3. What are three major topics being discussed in Congress right now? 4. Which state has the MOST electoral votes? 7. Give one explanation for people being laid off and losing their homes. 8. In what state was there recently a 5.8 magnitude earthquake? 9. What is your political ideology (liberal, moderate, conservative)? Explain in one sentence using a specific issue to back up your answer. 10. As a US citizen what are your only two duties? 11. What is the controversy that surrounds Casey Anthony? 12. Who is Muammar Gaddafi and why is he hiding? 13. Which SF mayoral candidate recently entered the race? 14. When is the next Presidential election? 15. Why does Californias governor Brown want to release criminals from our state prisons?