Illustration by Calvin Boice.

If you have a teenager or college student in your house then you probably already know about Facebook. It’s like MySpace but without all of the porn and spam. It’s a fun way to connect with your friends, and if you’re a parent, eavesdrop on your kids and their friends. I love it. One of my friends just sent me a challenge that has been circulating a lot lately on Facebook and a link where you can take a 20 question test entitled “Could You Pass The U.S. Citizenship Test?” The same test has even shown up on MSNBC where you can get your score. 

These are sample questions from the civics test that immigrants take as part of their naturalization interview. This test gives you multiple choices, but immigrants who take the real test are not, as their test is conducted orally.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to revise its list of questions this year. Do you think you could pass the test? Could our presidential candidates?

1.  How many stripes are there on the U.S. flag?

10, 13, 50, 51

 

2.  Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court today?

George W. Bush

Alberto Gonzales

Thomas Jefferson

John G. Roberts Jr.

 

3.  In what year was the Constitution written?

1776

1787

1876

1812

 

4.  Which of these is guaranteed by the First Amendment?

Freedom of the press

Right to bear arms

Right to happiness

Right to trial by jury

 

5.  How many Supreme Court justices are there?

3, 7, 10, 13

 

6.  What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

The Preamble

The Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments

Lewis “Scooter” Libby

 

7.   When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

July 4, 1787

July 4, 1812

July 4, 1876

 

8.  Which of the following amendments to the Constitution does not address or guarantee voting rights?

19th Amendment

24th Amendment

15th Amendment

7th Amendment

 

9.   What are the 13 original states?

 

10.  What do the stripes on the U.S. flag mean?

The Cabinet

One for each state in the Union

They represent the 13 original states

One for each article in the Constitution

 

11.  What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

The Preamble

The Bill of Rights

The Declaration of Independence

The Articles of Confederation

 

12. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

9, 10, 13, 27

 

13.  Which of the following is NOT one of the constitutional requirements to be eligible to become president?

Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve

Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years

Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States

Must have served as a governor

 

14.  Who selects the Supreme Court justices?

The Electoral College

The people

They are appointed by the president

The Senate

 

15.  How many representatives are there in Congress?

50, 100, 102, 435  

 

16.  Who said “Give me liberty or give me death”?

George Washington

Benjamin Franklin

Thomas Jefferson

Patrick Henry

 

17.  Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

In search of gold

To meet the Indians

For religious freedom

To escape the Revolutionary War

  

18.  Who has the power to declare war?

Congress

The president

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  

19.  What INS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

Form N-200 “Petition for Naturalization”

N-400 “Application for Naturalization”

Social Security card

FD-258

  

20.  Which of these contains three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Freedom of speech, press, religion

Right to protest, protection under the law, religion

Freedom of religion, right to elect representatives, human rights

 

- Citizen Voices blogger Trina Boice is an author and mother of four who lives in Carlsbad.