The United States is a melting pot. I learned that years ago in United States History class. We have immigrants from just about every country in the world. Most are from Europe (like my ancestors), some are from Africa, some from Central and South America, some from Asia, some from Canada. My paternal second great grandmother was from Denmark. She did not speak English upon arriving in the United States in the 1850’s. If she arrived today, in 2014, she would have to apply for United States Citizenship and pass a test with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
This blog will be in four parts. That is because I am going to test you, and see if you would be able to pass the test to become a citizen here. After reading the 100 civic questions listed on the “Civics flash cards for the Naturalization test,” I came to the conclusion that instead of asking for voter identification only (at a voting station), that voters should have to pass this test as well. However, applicants are asked up to ten questions. They just don’t know which ten of the 100 they will be asked. They pass if they get six of the ten questions correct. (Allowances are made for the elderly or handicapped.) All questions are asked in English. All questions are to be answered in English.
Question 1: What is the supreme law of the land?
(The Constitution of the United States of America.)
Question 2: What does the Constitution do?
(Sets up and defines the government and protects the basic rights of Americans.)
Question 3: The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
(We the People…)
Question 4: What is an amendment?
(A change or an addition (to the Constitution.))
Question 5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
(The Bill of Rights)
Question 6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
(Assembly, Press, Petition of the Government, Speech, Religion)
Question 7: How many amendments does the Constitution have?
(27)
Question 8: What did the Declaration of Independence do?
(Announced our independence from Great Britain, Declared our Independence from Great Britain, Said that the United States is free from Great Britain.)
Question 9: What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
(Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)
Question 10: What is freedom of religion?
(You can practice any religion or not practice a religion.)
Question 11: What is the economic system in the United States?
(Capitalist economy, market economy)
Question 12: What is the “rule of law?”
(1. Everyone must follow the law. 2. Leaders must obey the law. 3. Government must obey the law. 4. No one is above the law.)
Question 13: Name one branch or part of the government.
(Congress (legislative), President (executive), the courts (judicial))
Question 14: What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
(Checks and balances, separation of powers)
Question 15: Who is in charge of the executive branch?
(The president)
Question 16: Who makes federal laws?
(Congress, Senate and House (of Representatives), (U.S. Or national) legislature)
Question 17: What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
(The Senate and the House (of Representatives))
Question 18: How many U.S. Senators are there?
(100)
Question 19: We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
(Six)
Question 20: Who is one of your states U.S. Senators now?
(Answers will vary. If you don’t know, find out.)
Question 21: The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
(435)
Question 22: We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
(Two)
Question 23: Name your U.S. Representative.
(Answers will vary. If you don’t know, find out.)
Question 24: Who does a United States Senator represent?
(All of the people of his/her state.)
Question 25: Why do some states have more representatives than other states?
(because of the state’s population; because they have more people; because some states have more people)