2.2 Obligations of Citizens

The diagram above illustrates various activities. Which phrase completes the diagram?

• Obligations of U.S. citizens

• Powers reserved for elected officials

• Activities banned by King George III

• Actions prohibited by the Constitution

Which duty must U.S. citizens perform to preserve the right to a trial by jury?

• act as prosecutors in some circumstances

• read and understand the Constitution

• serve on juries when summoned

• serve as soldiers in the military

Which act fulfills a responsibility rather than an obligation of citizenship?

• pay taxes

• obey the law

• join a political party

• serve on jury if summoned

Which action fulfills an obligation of citizenship rather than a responsibility?

• vote in elections

• join a political party

• petition government officials

• register with the Selective Service System

What is the primary reason for fulfilling the obligations and

responsibilities of citizenship?

• to protect one’s family

• to earn a higher income

• to promote the common good

• to spread American values overseas

John Smith has just celebrated his 18th birthday. He fills out forms online to register with the Selective Service System. Why are male citizens his age required to register with this agency?

• to help the government monitor state health-care plans

• to enable the government to keep track of the American population

• to allow the U.S. House of Representatives to redistribute its seats every 10 years

• to permit the government to call up men for military service in the event of a threat, attack, or war

Pay Taxes

Obey the Law

Serve on a Jury if Summoned

Register with the Selective Service

The chart above identifies a variety of acts performed by citizens. Which phrase provides the best title for this chart?

• The Rights of Citizens

• The Privileges of Citizens

• The Obligations of Citizens

• The Responsibilities of Citizens

"I love to pay taxes. With them, I buy civilization."

The statement above was made by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. What did Justice Holmes mean by this statement?

• Only very rich citizens should have to pay taxes.

• Citizens who pay high taxes should be excused from military service.

• The government needs the money it receives from taxes to provide public services.

• Paying taxes should be optional for citizens who do not use many government services.