US Citizenship Interview Questions

What is an amendment?

- A change (to the Constitution) - An Addition (to the Constitution)

Why did the colonists fight the British?

- Because of high taxes (taxation without representation) - Because the British army stayed in their houses - because they didn't have self-government

Name two National US holidays?

- Christmas and New Year's day

Who makes federal laws?

- Congress - Senate and House (of Representatives) - US or national legislature

What did Martin Luther King JR do?

- Fought for civil rights - worked for equality for all americans

What did Susan B Anthony do?

- Fought for women's rights - Fought for civil rights

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

- Freed the Slaves - Freed slaves in the Confederacy - Freed slaves in the Confederate States - Freed slaves in most Southern States

What does the Judicial branch do?

- Reviews laws - explains laws - resolves disputes - decides if a law goes against the constitiution

What does the Constitution do?

- Sets up the Government - Defines the Government - Protects basic rights of Americans

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

- The Constitution was Written - The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

- Vote - Run for office

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

- announced our independence - declared our independence - said that the US is free

What is the economic system in the US?

- capitalist economy - market economy

What stops one branch from becoming too powerful?

- checks and balances - separation of powers

Name one branch or part of the government?

- congress

What is the "rule of law"?

- everyone must follow the law - leaders must obey the law - government must obey the law - no one is above the law

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

- life - liberty - pursuit of happiness

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

- the state's population - they have more people - some states have more people

How many US senators are there?

100

When was the Constitution written?

1787

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

18 and older

We elect a US representative for how many years?

2

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

27

We elect a president for how many years?

4

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

435

We elect a Senator for how many years?

6

How many justices are on the supreme court?

9

What does the President's Cabinet do?

Advises the President

Who does a US senator represent?

All people of the state

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

At 18 Between 18 and 26

What ocean is on the East Coast of US?

Atlantic

What is the name of the President of US now?

Barack Obama

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

Because there is one star for each state

Name One American Indian tribe in the US

Cherokee

Who is the Governor of NJ now?

Chris Christie

A New Jersey representative is

Chris Smith

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them

Citizens 18 and older can vote

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

Civil Rights Movement

Name the US war between the North and the South

Civil War

During the Cold war, what was the main concern of US?

Communism

Who is one of your state's US senators now?

Cory Booker

What is the political party of the President now?

Democratic

What are the two major political parties in the US?

Democratic and Republican

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

First postmaster General of the US

Who was the President during the Great Depression and World War II?

Franklin Roosevelt

What was one important thing Abraham Lincoln did?

Freed the Slaves (emancipation proclamation)

What are two rights of everyone living in the US?

Freedom of Speech Freedom of worship

Who is the Father of our Country

George Washington

Who was the First PResident

George Washington

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US Constitution. Name one of the writers

James Madison

Who did the US fight in World War II?

Japan Germany and Italy

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

John Boehner

Who is the chief justice of the US now?

John Roberts

What is the name of the Vice President of the US now?

Joseph Biden Jr

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

When do we celebrate Independence day?

July 4th

What territory did the US buy from France in 1803?

Lousiana Territory

Name one state that borders Canada?

Maine

Name one of the two longest rivers in the US?

Mississippi River

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Native Americans

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

New York, Liberty Island

There were 13 original states. Name 3

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

In what month do we vote for President?

November

What ocean is on the West Coast of US?

Pacific

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

People from Africa

Under our constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the state?

Provide schooling and education

Name one US territory

Puerto Rico

What is one responsibility that is only for US citizens?

Serve on a Jury

Name one problem that led to the Civil War

Slavery

If both the president and vice president can no longer serve, who becomes President?

Speaker of the House

What is one right of freedom from the First Amendment?

Speech

What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the US?

Terrorists attacked the US

Name one state that borders Mexico

Texas

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

The President

Who signs bills to become laws?

The President

What are two parts of US congress?

The Senate and House of Representatives

What is the name of the national anthem?

The Star-Spangled Banner

What is the highest court in the US?

The Supreme Court

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

The US and the flag

Who vetoes bills?

The president

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

They represent the 13 Original colonies

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

Under our constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

To print money

What is the Capital of NJ?

Trenton

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

Vice President

What are two Cabinet Level Positions?

Vice President, Secretary of Defense

Name one right only for US citizens?

Vote in a federal election

Name one war fought by the US in the 1800's?

War of 1812

What is the Capital of the US?

Washington DC

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

We the People

Who was the President during World War I?

Woodrow Wilson

Name one war fought by the US in the 1900's

World War I

Before he was president, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

World War II

What is freedom of religion?

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion

What is one reason colonists came to America?

freedom

What is one promise you make when you become a US citizen?

give up loyalty to other countries

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

the president