Road to Citizenship
What are the two ways an individual can obtain U.S. citizenship?
By birth or naturalization.
Are civic duties required or voluntary?
required
Civic responsibilities are fulfilled by
Choice
Question: How old must a person be by the day of the general election to meet Virginia's age qualification for voter registration?
18
Which type of election usually has a higher percentage of voter participation?
A. State/local elections
B. Presidential elections
B — Presidential elections
What is the legal process through which an individual becomes a U.S. citizen?
Naturalization.
Name Three civic duties.
obeying laws, paying taxes, serving in the armed forces if called, serving on a jury or as a witness when summoned/subpoenaed.
Name THREE ways citizens can actively participate to influence government.
Registering/voting, communicating with government officials/petitioning, participating in political campaigns.
Name the THREE basic qualifications listed in our curriculum for registering to vote in Virginia
U.S. citizen; resident of Virginia and the precinct; at least 18 by the day of the general election.
Name the THREE factors your curriculum identifies as commonly used in research predicting which citizens will vote.
Education, age, and income.
Name ALL the requirements for becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.
at least 18; legal U.S. resident for 3–5 or more years; good moral character; loyal to the U.S.; basic English; pass the naturalization test; take the Oath of Allegiance
What federal agency is associated with the civic duty of paying taxes?
Internal Revenue Service — IRS.
A student researches a community problem before deciding what they think about it.
Which civic responsibility are they demonstrating?
Keeping/staying informed regarding current issues.
Name THREE ways/places a person can register to vote in Virginia.
Any three: online; by mail; registrar's office; state/local welfare offices; armed forces recruitment offices; public libraries; DMV offices.
Name THREE reasons citizens may fail to vote.
Any three: lack of interest; failure to register; belief their vote doesn't count/won't have an impact; no time/too busy.
Priya is 24, has been a legal resident for several years, demonstrates good moral character and loyalty, speaks basic English, and passes the naturalization test. She refuses to take the Oath of Allegiance.
No. Taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony is a requirement.
Marcus receives a jury summons. He says:
“Voting is important, so I'll vote instead of reporting for jury duty. I'm still being a good citizen.”
What is wrong with his reasoning?
Voting does not replace his legally required jury duty. Serving on a jury when summoned is a civic duty.
A citizen obeys an existing law while collecting signatures asking government officials to change it.
Identify the duty AND responsibility occurring simultaneously.
Duty = obeying the law.
Responsibility = petitioning/peacefully working for change.
A qualified Virginia voter misses the regular registration deadline but registers on Election Day.
What type of ballot may that voter use?
Provisional ballot
Jordan is eligible to vote but says:
“I'm interested in the election, but I never registered.”
Which reason for not voting BEST explains Jordan's situation?
Failure to register.
Question: Two people are U.S. citizens.
Person A says, “Person B isn't really a citizen in the same way I am because they weren't born here.” What amendment proves this wrong?
The 14th Amendment defines people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, as citizens
“I disagree with this law, so I don't have to follow it while I'm working to get it changed.”
Identify the mistake AND explain what the citizen can do instead.
Obeying laws is a civic duty. The citizen can obey the current law while peacefully working for change through civic participation, such as petitioning or contacting government officials.
Civic responsibilities aren't important because citizens aren't legally required to perform them.”
True or False
Examples include voting, volunteering, staying informed, petitioning/contacting officials, participating in campaigns, respecting different beliefs, or developing plans to improve the community.
Put these events in the correct logical order:
A. Vote in an election
B. Meet voter eligibility qualifications
C. Register to vote
B → C → A
A graph shows:
Presidential Election: 68% turnout
State Election: 51% turnout
Local Election: 34% turnout
Whats ONE conclusion supported by the data
Voter participation was highest in the presidential election; turnout was 68%, compared with 51% in the state election and 34% in the local election.