invisible blog

by Jason Proe

CNN recently reported that the U.S. Citizenship test has been revamped.  I have several friends that have taken the test over the years.  Since I am a “native” I never had to take the test, but I was curious to discover what you have to know to become a U.S. citizen so I checked it out.

After taking the test, I am confident I passed.  I thought it was pretty easy.  However, what struck me was how American women and minorities (African Americans, Native Americans, etc.) were incorporated into the test.  Here are a few questions from the actual test, the acceptable answers according to the answer key in bullet points, and of course my comments.

58. What is one reason colonists came to America?

• freedom
• political liberty
• religious freedom
• economic opportunity
• practice their religion
• escape persecution

Jason: Interesting, the first answer is freedom.  Remember that for later.

60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

• Africans
• people from Africa

Jason: Slaves? Wait, wait.  Didn’t the colonist come to America for freedom? I am confused.

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

• slavery
• economic reasons
• states’ rights

Jason: Wow, slavery caused a civil war?  Probably a little confusion over this whole “land of the free” thing.

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

• freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
• saved (or preserved) the Union
• led the United States during the Civil War

Jason: What a nice and brave guy that Mr. Lincoln must have been.

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

• fought for women’s rights
• fought for civil rights

Jason: Hmm, she is the only woman mentioned on this test.

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

• civil rights (movement)

Jason: Even after the whole emancipation thing, huh? I guess the keyword there is “tried.”

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

• fought for civil rights
• worked for equality for all Americans

Jason: Yeah, I heard of that guy.  He’s the only black guy mentioned on this test. Hopefully, that will change when they have to rewrite this question:

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

• George W. Bush Barack H. Obama

You can find the new test here.  Check it out and let us know what you think!