How many Americans do you suppose would be able to pass the naturalization test to become an American citizen? Here are the 10 redesigned questions that will be used for new citizenship applicants beginning in October 2008. This list came from the N.Y. Times.
I was able to answer No. 2 reasonably well, and No. 5, was shaky on No. 4, and of course I knew No. 10. I’m glad I was born here, otherwise I’d be in trouble. Hubby, having been naturalized about 35 years ago knew far more of the answers than me.
How many can you answer? Read them through to see how many you can answer, then check your answers here.
- How many amendments does the Constitution have?
- What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
- The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
- There are four amendements to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
- What are two rights only for citizens born in the United States?
- The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
- What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
- Who was President during World War I?
- Name one U.S. territory?
- Why does the flag have 13 stripes.
Well, how did you do? Do you know enough of the fundamental concepts of democracy to be a citizen of the United States? (Hummmm. I wonder how the President would do on this test?)
My Wintersong 
I confess that I am a complete failure with 1, 2, and 3. I did better with the others tho I came away knowing I would go check my answers after I left this note.
Unless I have read the question wrong, the answer to #5 is not right. I can only think of one right reserved for people born in the US: being President. There may be a second, but I can’t think of it. The rights described in #5 answer are for all citizens, born here or naturalized. Am I reading it wrong?
Thanks to mageb and ruthek for commenting!
mageb: You know, that’s why I decided to post the questions. I refreshed my memory and learned more by taking the quiz and checking my answers.
ruthek:
I had a lot of trouble with that answer as well, although it did make sense to me that only citizens should vote. Actually the original question was what two rights are reserved for citizens of the United States. I added the terms “born in” because it seems to me that was the intention. Clearly either the question or the answer was not completely correct.