Strengthening citizenship
November 30, 2006| By Nathaniel Ward
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services today released a new set of questions to be used on a pilot version of the naturalization test given to all immigrants seeking United States citizenship. And The Heritage Foundation was instrumental in ensuring the new test will strengthen American values: Heritage scholar Matthew Spalding was among the outside experts that helped develop the new test.
While the old test emphasized knowledge of basic facts about the United States, the new version requires test-takers to have a deeper understanding of our history and culture. For example, the existing test might ask, “When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?” The new examination would ask would-be citizens to “[n]ame one important idea found in the Declaration of Independence.”
“This is a significant achievement,” said Spalding, Director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at Heritage. “Rather than encouraging the rote memorization of mere facts and figures, the new test will emphasize an understanding of the basic core concepts of our political tradition—concepts that all Americans must know to be good citizens.”
“Studying and learning these concepts, the citizenship test will serve to assimilate immigrants and encourage their attachment to America,” he added.
The sort of assimilation this new test encourages is an essential part of a strong immigration reform—and it reaffirms our core American principles. Spalding explained earlier this year that “an effective naturalization process would aim to create new citizens who would understand the principles of free government, speak a common language, reflect good character and civic virtue and have a real stake in America’s economic success…In the end, a confident policy to assimilate immigrants must be understood as part of a larger renewal of our principles, a reaffirmation of what we hold to be self-evident.”
The new questions are to be rolled out in a pilot program in 10 cities next year, AFP reports.
The following are some of the new questions and their possible answers. You can view a full list of the new questions at the USCIS website by clicking here.
1. Name one important idea found in the Declaration of Independence.
A: People are born with natural rights.
A: The power of government comes from the people.
A: The people can change their government if it hurts their natural rights.
A: All people are created equal.
8. Name one right or freedom from the First Amendment.
A: Speech
A: Religion
A: Assembly
A: Press
A: Petition the government
11. What does freedom of religion mean?
A: You can practice any religion you want, or not practice at all.
12. What type of economic system does the U.S. have?
A: Capitalist economy
A: Free market
A: Market economy
30. Name one example of checks and balances.
A: The President vetoes a bill.
A: Congress can confirm or not confirm a President’s nomination.
A: Congress approves the President’s budget.
A: The Supreme Court strikes down a law.
71. What is self-government?
A: Powers come from the people.
A: Government responds to the people.
74. What are “inalienable rights”?
A: Individual rights that people are born with
80. Name one promise you make when you say the Oath of Allegiance.
A: To give up loyalty to other countries (I give up loyalty to my [old][first][other] country.)
A: To defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
A: To obey the laws of the United States
A: To serve in the United States military if needed (To fight for the United States [if needed].)
A: To serve the nation if needed (To do important work for the United States [if needed].)
A: To be loyal to the United States
84. Name two of the natural, or inalienable, rights in the Declaration of Independence.
A: Life
A: Liberty
A: The pursuit of happiness
87. Name one reason why the colonists came to America?
A: Freedom
A: Political liberty
A: Religious freedom
A: Economic opportunity
A: To practice their religion
A: To escape persecution
98. Who is called the “Father of Our Country”?
A: George Washington
107. Name one of the things that Abraham Lincoln did.
A: Saved (or preserved) the Union.
A: Freed the slaves
A: Led the U.S. during the Civil War.
116. What was the main concern of the United States during the Cold War?
A: The spread of communism
A: The Soviet Union [USSR and Russia are also acceptable.]
Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation.
