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
