Amplify Unit 10 Assessment 4/16/24

Citizenship Tests

 by Victoria Cabal

1 What does it mean to be a United States citizen? Some Americans are citizens because they are born in the United States. Others are citizens because they have a parent who is a U.S. citizen. Being a citizen of the United States means you have the right to live and work in the country. You have other special rights and responsibilities, like being able to vote. These rights are protected by the government. Many immigrants, or people who come to live in the United States from another country, want to become U.S. citizens. 

2 How do you become a U.S. citizen? First, immigrants who want to be naturalized, or become citizens, must live in the United States for at least 5 years. Next, they must take some tests. Everyone who wants to become a U.S. citizen must take an English test. They must also pass a naturalization exam. This exam is given by an immigration officer. The immigration officer asks people questions about the United States, including its government and history. For example, the immigration officer might ask questions about the U.S. president or the Constitution. However, the exam was not always like this.

3 In the 19th and early 20th centuries, local judges gave the naturalization exam. Each judge decided what to ask during the exam. Some judges thought it was important to ask questions about U.S. history. Some thought it was more important to test people on civics, or the government. Still others thought questions about the Constitution or the responsibilities of being a citizen were most important. Because all of the exams were different, people didn’t know what they might be asked about.

 4 In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed a law to help make the naturalization process the same across the country. The law stated that naturalized citizens had to speak English. It also let the government choose the topics for the naturalization exam. By the 1950s, immigrants who wanted to become citizens had to show that they knew about U.S. history and civics.

5 The U.S. government has created educational programs and books to help immigrants study for the naturalization exam. This helps immigrants know what information might be on the exam. After people pass the exams, they take an oath of citizenship. This is an official promise made in front of a judge or immigration officer. In this oath, immigrants promise to be loyal citizens of the United States and to complete their responsibilities as citizens.

Did you listen to passage?

What is an important idea about the exams in the 19th and early 20th centuries?

• Theodore Roosevelt wrote the exams that were used.

• The judge asked questions about U.S. history.

• The tests were given in English and Spanish.

• No one could be sure what the questions would be on the exam.

This question has TWO parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B. Which sentence best describes the central idea of this text?

• Everyone living in the U.S. has to take the citizenship test and take an oath.

• To become a U.S. citizen, you must pass the citizenship test and take an oath.

• The topics covered on the citizenship test are a secret and change often.

• The rights of the citizens of the United States are protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Which detail best supports the answer to Part A?

• After people pass the exams, they take an oath of citizenship.

• In the 19th and early 20th centuries, local judges gave the naturalization exam.

• This exam is given by an immigration officer.

• The law stated that naturalized citizens had to speak English.

Being a citizen of the United States means you have the right to live and work in the country. You have other special rights and responsibilities, like being able to vote. What is a right that U.S. citizens have?

Which details support the key idea that in 1906 the naturalization process was the same across the country? Select TWO correct answers.

• Local judges were responsible for giving the exam.

• The government was responsible for choosing the topics for the exam.

• Naturalized citizens do not need to speak English.

• Citizens had to show they knew about U.S. history and civics.

• Before taking the exam, participants take an oath of loyalty.

How does this image support the understanding of the changes that were made to the naturalization process?

• It shows President Theodore Roosevelt who signed a law to make the naturalization process the same across the country.

• It shows a local judge who gave the naturalization exams during the 19th century.

• It shows an immigration officer who asked people questions about the U.S. government and history.

• It shows an immigrant that made a promise to be a loyal citizen of the U.S. and complete his responsibilities as a citizen.

Why did the author include a picture of the U.S. Constitution?

• To show how the government of the U.S. was formed.

• To show that the U.S. Constitution is more important than the flag.

• To show one of the topics covered in the naturalization exam.

• To show that new citizens receive a copy of the U.S. Constitution after the exam.

What must immigrants do after they pass their citizenship exam?

• They must return the study materials to the immigration officer.

• They must prove to the judge that they studied for the exam.

• They must print out their results and take them to the judge.

• They must take an oath of loyalty to the U.S.

Does this story have similarities to another story you have read in this unit? Explain the similarity in a complete sentence.