U.S. citizenship test no longer a 'trivial' pursuit

[Steve]

"In an effort to make the citizenship exam more meaningful, the federal government said Monday it will test an exam that relies less on trivia and more on an applicants' grasp of American democracy."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/13/citize...test.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

This interests me as I became eligible to apply last year. Now it sounds like I'll have to brush up on PoliSci rather than US History 101, if I decide to go through with it. Not at all a complaint, merely an observation.

 

[theeedude]

Now if we can only get a test to get natural born Americans to learn civics.

 

[George P Burdell]

I think most Americans would fail this test.

 

[Geocentricity]

Want to know what went on during my US Citizenship test when I was 17?

Interviewer: Whats your name? -> I answer in fluent english
Interviewer: How old are you? -> I answer in fluent english
Interviewer: Please read aloud the pledge as written here -> I answer in fluent english

I sign on the dotted line and an hour later I take the oath. I believe if you can speak english WELL enough and have been proof that you have lived here for a certain period of time, then there is no need for this "US Citizenship exam".

 

[FoBoT]

i wonder if any groups sponsor classes for these things, that would be a cool way to volunteer, helping people learn what they need to pass citizenship tests

 

[Nerva]

i am actually gonna apply soon. any idea on how long this is gonna take?

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i wonder if any groups sponsor classes for these things, that would be a cool way to volunteer, helping people learn what they need to pass citizenship tests

If I could get Homer Simpson to teach me, I would.

 

[everman]

Can't you take the exam in languages other than english?

 

[her209]

"With regards to recounts, how many times is too many?"

A. 1
B. 2
C. 5
D. None of the above

 

[chuckywang]

The candidate with the most votes will win any election.

1) Always
2) Most of the time
3) Some of the time
4) Never

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Now if we can only get a test to get natural born Americans to learn civics.

lol, that is what public education is for but everyone knows how that goes.

 

[Chaotic42]

Just as long as it's only available in English...

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: Geocentricity
Want to know what went on during my US Citizenship test when I was 17?

Interviewer: Whats your name? -> I answer in fluent english
Interviewer: How old are you? -> I answer in fluent english
Interviewer: Please read aloud the pledge as written here -> I answer in fluent english

I sign on the dotted line and an hour later I take the oath. I believe if you can speak english WELL enough and have been proof that you have lived here for a certain period of time, then there is no need for this "US Citizenship exam".

Nope, it's because you were under 18 at the time.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Just as long as it's only available in English...

 

[Savij]

After reading the article, I think I like the new test better. Speaking as a naturalized citizen, I think this test is better. I've gone through the process once and thought the old test had almost nothing to do with citizenship. From the article, it seems like the new one should quiz on basic understanding of the structure of government and civic duties. If the test is what it appears to be, I support this test for everyone applying citizenship and for everyone applying for a driver's license. We can't prevent people from exercising their right to vote, but we can impose a minimum on the priviledge of driving. :evil:

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Just as long as it's only available in English...

Why? Because you suck?

Many countries have multiple official languages. Does the US have ANY official languages?

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Just as long as it's only available in English...

Why? Because you suck?

Many countries have multiple official languages. Does the US have ANY official languages?

The US has none, but it should have English as an official language. If for no other reason, then to reduce the amount of paper used to print documents in so many langauges. How many trees lose their lives each day to Spanish and Portuguese?

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: Savij

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Just as long as it's only available in English...

Why? Because you suck?

Many countries have multiple official languages. Does the US have ANY official languages?

The US has none, but it should have English as an official language. If for no other reason, then to reduce the amount of paper used to print documents in so many langauges. How many trees lose their lives each day to Spanish and Portuguese?

Agreed. If I can learn Spanish, then I don't think it's too much to ask that they learn English.

 

[shortylickens]

And this affects the millions of illegals storming the border how?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler

Originally posted by: Savij

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Just as long as it's only available in English...

Why? Because you suck?

Many countries have multiple official languages. Does the US have ANY official languages?

The US has none, but it should have English as an official language. If for no other reason, then to reduce the amount of paper used to print documents in so many langauges. How many trees lose their lives each day to Spanish and Portuguese?

Agreed. If I can learn Spanish, then I don't think it's too much to ask that they learn English.

QFT,
bilingualism for the win.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Just as long as it's only available in English...

Why? Because you suck?

Many countries have multiple official languages. Does the US have ANY official languages?

That was an *amazing* comeback. I mean, it's rare that we get such a well thought out post of this caliber. Bravo, Lonyo. Bravo.

For those without your super-human reasoning and social abilities, I say that since English is the lingua franca of the United States, they might as well make it the official language. One needs to be able to speak passable English to function well in this country.