In Iowa, All High School Graduates Might First Have to Take a Citizenship Test. Can You Answer These 15 Questions?
Who served as the President of the United States during World War I? Can you identify one of the authors of the Federalist Papers? In the event that both the President and Vice President are unable to fulfill their duties, who assumes the role of President?
These are three questions that may seem challenging and are included in the test required to become a citizen of the United States and in some states, to graduate from high school.
Lawmakers in Iowa have introduced a bill that proposes making the state the latest to mandate some form of the citizenship test as a graduation requirement for high school students. A similar bill is being considered by lawmakers in Nebraska.
To attain citizenship, candidates must correctly answer six out of ten questions randomly selected from a pool of one hundred. Different states have adopted different versions of the test. If the proposal in Iowa is approved, students would need to achieve a minimum score of 60 percent. However, it is not specified how many questions would be included in the test. Similar proposals have been previously unsuccessful in Iowa.
Research indicates that Americans could benefit from enhanced civics education. A study conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center last year revealed that over a third of American adults were unable to name a single right protected by the First Amendment, and 75 percent could not identify the three branches of government.
Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican who introduced the bill in Iowa, stated that social studies often receives less attention due to the intense focus on high-stakes testing in math and reading. This is the reason he believes that the state should require the citizenship test. He mentioned that it should be relatively easy for students to pass, as they can retake the test as many times as necessary between seventh grade and high school graduation.
"It is logical that the current generation of students should possess a basic understanding of U.S. civics," expressed Rogers to the Des Moines Register.
Source: Joe Foss Institute
Although every state mandates some form of civics education in schools, not all of them require students to be assessed on their knowledge. According to the Joe Foss Institute, which advocates for civics education, 28 states have enacted legislation mandating a citizenship test or some other form of accountability for civics education, and nine other states are currently considering similar laws this year.
Would you be able to pass the citizenship test? Below are 15 sample questions. Test yourself to determine if you could become a citizen or graduate from high school in 28 states! (Answers are provided below… no cheating!)
1. How many amendments are there in the Constitution?
2. What are the names of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
3. Can you name one right or freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment?
4. How does the system of checks and balances prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
5. How many voting members are there in the House of Representatives?
6. In the event that both the President and Vice President are unable to serve, who assumes the role of President?
7. How many justices sit on the Supreme Court?
8. Who is currently serving as the Chief Justice of the United States?
9. According to our Constitution, what are some powers that belong to the states?
10. Who is the governor of your state?
11. The Federalist Papers played a crucial role in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Can you name one of the writers?
12. What was Susan B. Anthony known for?
13. Who was the President of the United States during World War I?
14. Before becoming President, Dwight Eisenhower served as a general. In which war did he participate?
15. Name one state that shares a border with Canada.
Answers:
1. The Constitution has 27 amendments.
2. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.
3. One right or freedom protected by the First Amendment includes freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, and the right to petition the government.
4. The system of checks and balances or the separation of powers prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
5. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members.
6. If both the President and Vice President are unable to serve, the Speaker of the House assumes the position of President.
7. There are nine justices on the Supreme Court.
8. John G. Roberts Jr. currently serves as the Chief Justice of the United States.
9. Some powers that belong to the states, according to our Constitution, include providing education, protecting citizens (police), ensuring safety (fire departments), issuing driver’s licenses, and approving zoning and land use.
10. To identify the governor of your state, please check here. Residents of the District of Columbia should state that D.C. does not have a governor.
11. The Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, collectively known as Publius.
12. Susan B. Anthony is renowned for her advocacy of women’s suffrage.
13. Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States during World War I.
14. Dwight Eisenhower participated in World War II before serving as President.
15. Choose one state that shares a border with Canada.
Who served as the President of the United States throughout the duration of World War I? (The answer is Woodrow Wilson)
Prior to assuming the role of President, Dwight Eisenhower held the position of a general. In which war did he participate? (The answer is World War II)
Please mention one state that shares a border with Canada. (Possible answers include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska)
To access the entire test, please click on this link.
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