Illustration by Calvin Boice .
If you have a teenager or college student in your house then you probably already know about Facebook. It’s like MySpace but without all of the porn and spam. It’s a fun way to connect with your friends, and if you’re a parent, eavesdrop on your kids and their friends. I love it. One of my friends just sent me a challenge that has been circulating a lot lately on Facebook and a link where you can take a 20 question test entitled “Could You Pass The U.S. Citizenship Test?” The same test has even shown up on MSNBC where you can get your score.
These are sample questions from the civics test that immigrants take as part of their naturalization interview. This test gives you multiple choices, but immigrants who take the real test are not, as their test is conducted orally.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to revise its list of questions this year. Do you think you could pass the test? Could our presidential candidates?
Alma Sove from San Diego
April 27, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Well, embarrassingly, I will admit having to Google a couple of history questions... But I did spot something. Recently, almost every Supreme Court decision has been split 5-4 and the swing vote talked about endlessly... I don't 9 is an option on Question 5.
(By the way, will you post the answers soon?)
Trina from Carlsbad, CA
April 27, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Here are the answers:
1. 13
2. John G. Roberts Jr.
3. 1787
4. Freedom of the press
5. 9
6. The Bill of Rights
7. July 4, 1776
8. 7th Amendment
9. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland
10. They represent the 13 original states
11. The Preamble
12. 27
13. Must have served as a governor
14. They are appointed by the president. (Note: This is the response given on the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. The president selects the justices; however, they must be confirmed by the US Senate. If they are rejected by the Senate, then the president must choose a new nominee, who again, is subject to Senate approval.)
15. 435
16. Patrick Henry
17. For religious freedom
18. Congress
19. Form N-400 "Application for Naturalization"
20. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion
marcelo from san diego
April 29, 2008 at 11:24 PM
please check answer # 5
9 isn't an option
Scooter
from LA
May 10, 2008 at 08:49 PM
I didn't pass, does this mean that by citizenship will be revoked if someone finds out?
Pride
July 21, 2008 at 04:18 AM
This is something every american citizen should know but unfortunately there's a whole generation of "americans" who doesn't care.
Glyco
August 19, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Wow..That is one toughie. Wonder how many are able to crack this?.
