Citizenship Basics
Which amendment defines U.S. citizenship?
A. 10th Amendment
B. 15th Amendment
C. 14th Amendment
D. 26th Amendment
C. 14th Amendment
What is the legal process of becoming a U.S. citizen called?
A. permanent residency
B. naturalization
C. immigration
D. registration
B. naturalization
Which action is a civic responsibility?
A. Voting in an election
B. Responding to a jury summons
C. Obeying the law
D. Paying required taxes
A. Voting in an election
Which action allows citizens to help choose their government leaders?
A. petitioning
B. jury service
C. attending a civic meeting
D. voting
D. voting
What does the common good mean?
A. What benefits the community as a whole
B. What benefits only individual citizens
C. What benefits elected officials
D. What gives government more power
A. What benefits the community as a whole
Which statement best describes a citizen?
A. A legal member of a country
B. A person who permanently lives in a country
C. A person who has applied for citizenship
D. A person who has a Green Card
A. A legal member of a country
Which term describes a person who has permission to live permanently in the United States but is not yet a U.S. citizen?
A. immigrant citizen
B. registered citizen
C. naturalized citizen
D. permanent resident
D. permanent resident
Which action is an example of a civic obligation?
A. Attending a civic meeting
B. Running for public office
C. Serving on a jury when summoned
D. Signing a petition
C. Serving on a jury when summoned
Which action allows citizens to formally ask the government to address an issue?
A. serving on a jury
B. filing a petition
C. becoming a permanent resident
D. completing naturalization
B. filing a petition
Which action best supports the common good?
A. Avoiding local government meetings
B. Refusing to participate in elections
C. Attending a meeting about a community problem
D. Ignoring a neighborhood problem
C. Attending a meeting about a community problem
Which pair identifies two ways a person may receive U.S. citizenship at birth?
A. Immigration and residency
B. Naturalization and permanent residency
C. Green Card and naturalization
D. Law of blood and law of soil
D. Law of blood and law of soil
Which is included in the requirements for naturalization?
A. Speaking and reading basic English
B. Owning property in the United States
C. Serving in the U.S. military
D. Voting in a federal election
A. Speaking and reading basic English
Which action is a civic responsibility rather than an obligation?
A. Responding to a jury summons
B. Attending a civic meeting
C. Following the law
D. Paying required taxes
B. Attending a civic meeting
Which citizen is showing active participation in government?
A. Ana applies for permanent residency.
B. Luis begins the naturalization process.
C. Marcus attends a city council meeting.
D. Sofia receives a jury summons.
C. Marcus attends a city council meeting.
What is a likely result when many citizens do not fulfill their civic responsibilities?
A. Elections are automatically canceled.
B. Citizens lose their citizenship.
C. Government can no longer make laws.
D. Citizens may have less influence on government decisions.
D. Citizens may have less influence on government decisions.
Maria was born in Florida. Her parents were citizens of another country when she was born.
Which principle best explains Maria's U.S. citizenship?
A. naturalization
B. law of soil
C. permanent residency
D. law of blood
B. law of soil
Carlos has been a permanent resident of the United States for several years. He now wants to become a U.S. citizen.
Which process should Carlos complete?
A. voter registration
B. permanent residency
C. naturalization
D. jury selection
C. naturalization
Jordan receives a jury summons in the mail.
Why is Jordan obligated to respond?
A. Jury service allows citizens to choose government leaders.
B. Jury service allows citizens to petition the government.
C. Jury service is required before citizens may vote.
D. Jury service helps protect the right to a trial by one's peers.
D. Jury service helps protect the right to a trial by one's peers.
Residents are concerned about heavy traffic near their neighborhood school. Malik wants local leaders to hear the community's concerns.
Which action would be the best example of Malik fulfilling a civic responsibility?
A. Attend a city government meeting and speak about the problem.
B. Ask a jury to decide whether the road should be changed.
C. Refuse to follow traffic rules until the problem is fixed.
D. Apply for permanent residency with the city government.
A. Attend a city government meeting and speak about the problem.
A neighborhood park needs repairs. Several residents attend a local government meeting and ask officials to improve the park.
How does this action support the common good?
A. It gives citizens complete control over local government.
B. It allows citizens to participate in solving a community problem.
C. It allows citizens to avoid their civic obligations.
D. It prevents government officials from making decisions.
B. It allows citizens to participate in solving a community problem.
Explain the difference between law of blood and law of soil.
Law of blood connects citizenship to a person's parents. Law of soil connects citizenship to where a person is born.
Name the requirements for naturalization.
18 years old, permanent resident for 5 years, have good moral character, be able to speak and read basic English, pass the civics and U.S. history exam, and take oath of allegiance.
Explain the difference between a civic obligation and a civic responsibility.
An obligation is something citizens are required to do. A responsibility is something citizens should do to participate in society and government.
Identify three ways citizens can actively participate in government.
Vote, attend civic meetings, petition the government, or run for office.
Why is citizen participation important to the common good?
Citizen participation gives people a voice in government and helps solve problems that affect the community.