U.S. Citizenship and English Practice

Prepare for the U.S. Naturalization Interview with reading, writing, civics questions, and N-400 personal information practice.

All posts in Fall 2021

Example Interview: Marcos Torres (USCIS Video)

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in About Citizenship, Fall 2021

In this example video, we can see Marcos Torres in part of his citizenship interview.

What questions do you think the officer will ask him? Make a list ✍

When you watch the video, listen to the officer’s questions and Marco’s answers. What do you think: Is he doing good? Bad? So-so?

If you have more time, you can answer these questions, too:

  1. What is the officer’s first question?
  2. In the office, she asks him to take an oath. What does she say?
    1. Do you swear or affirm that the statements you give today will be the ________, the whole ________, and nothing but the ________?
  3. To take the oath: What does he do? What does he say?
  4. What should you say if you don’t understand something?
  5. What questions did you hear the officer ask?
  6. How do you think Marco feels?

You can watch the video from minute 5:12 to 8:30.

After you watch

Do you agree that Marco did a good job? Why do you think so?

What questions did you hear?

  1. What is your name?
  2. And have you used any other names?
  3. Do you want to legally change your name?
  4. I need to see your lawful permanent resident card, all of your passports, and your state-issued identification, please.
  5. What is your date of birth?
  6. And where were you born?
  7. Are you a citizen of ____?
  8. Are either of your parents US Citizens?
  9. Are you currently single, married, divorced, or widowed?
  10. And where are you currently living?
  11. Where are you working?
  12. When was your last trip outside the United States?
  13. Do you remember the date you returned to the United States?

More Important Places

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in Civics and Reading A, Fall 2021

Civics Review: Oregon Leaders

Reading+Civics: Places

Do you know what this famous statue is?

The Statue of Liberty is a famous place in New York.

Have you ever visited the Statue of Liberty?

Where is the Statue of Liberty? –> New York

The United States has many long rivers.

The number one longest river in the United States is the Mississippi.

(100) Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. –> Mississippi

Oregon, Washington, and California are states. They are part of the 50 United States.

Citizens in states can vote for president. But they also have to pay federal taxes.

Puerto Rico is in the Atlantic Ocean
San Juan, Puerto Rico

The United States also has territories. Territories are not the same as states. For example, Puerto Rico is a territory with more than 3 million people.

They are part of the US, but the citizens there do not vote for president. But, they do not have to pay the same taxes.

Another US territory is Guam. It is an island in the Pacific Ocean with about 165,000 people.

(100) Name one US Territory. –> Puerto Rico

The United States flag has 50 stars. Each star represents one state.

The flag has 50 stars because we have 50 states.

Why does the flag have 50 stars? –> Because we have 50 states

North, South, East, and West

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in Civics and Reading A, Fall 2021, Uncategorized

Review: Current Leaders

Reading+Civics: Places

Where is this? How do you know?

The federal government meets in Washington, D.C.

It is the home of Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court.

What is the capital of the United States? –> Washington, D.C.

This is the Oregon capital building.

Every state has a capital, too. Oregon’s capital is Salem.

It is the home of the governor, the state congress, and the state supreme court.

What is the capital of your state? –> Salem (Oregon), Olympia (Washington)

The United States has two coasts where the ocean borders the country.

Oregon, Washington, and California are next to the Pacific Ocean.

We can drive and visit the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast.

(100) What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? –> The Pacific

The Atlantic Ocean is on the East Coast of the United States. It is too far away from us!

(100) What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? –> The Atlantic

The United States borders Canada. That means the US is next to Canada.

Canada is to the north of the United States. Many states border Canada.

Washington is one example of a state that borders Canada.

(100) Name one state that borders Canada. –> Washington

The United States also borders Mexico.

Mexico is to the South of the United States.

4 states border Mexico. California is one state that borders Mexico.

(100) Name one state that borders Mexico. –> California

Personal Questions 3

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in Fall 2021, Personal Questions
  1. When were you born / What is your date of birth?
  2. Where were you born?
  3. Are you a citizen of that country?
  4. Are your mother or father US citizens?

What is your phone number?

My phone number is 503-111-1111

What is your date of birth? / When were you born?

I was born in May / I was born on May 1, 1980

Where were you born?

In _____ / I was born in ______

Are you a citizen of that country?

Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. I’m a citizen of ______.

Are your mother or father US citizens?

Yes, my mom is. / Yes, my dad is. / Yes, they both are. / No, they’re not.

Review

  • Personal Questions 1
    1. What is your full legal name?
    2. Have you used any other names?
    3. When did you become a lawful permanent resident?
  • Personal Questions 2
    1. Do you want to legally change your name?
    2. Where do you live? / What is your current address?
    3. What is your phone number? / Have you changed your phone number recently?
    4. Where were you born?
  • Personal Questions 3
    1. When were you born / What is your date of birth?
    2. Where were you born?
    3. Are you a citizen of that country?
    4. Are your mother or father US citizens?

Citizenship Steps: From the Application to the Oath

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in About Citizenship, Fall 2021, Uncategorized

Citizenship Process

  1. Have you filled out the N-400?
    1. Yes I have / No I haven’t
  2. Have you sent the N-400?
  3. Have you gotten the receipt of the N-400?
  4. Have you gotten an appointment for biometrics?
  5. Have you gone to the USCIS office for biometrics?
  6. Have you gotten an appointment for your interview?
  7. Have you gone to the USCIS office for an interview?
  8. Have you taken the oath of citizenship?

US and Oregon Leaders

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in Civics and Reading A, Fall 2021, Uncategorized

Reading and Civics: Leaders

Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House.

The leader of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House.

Right now, the Speaker of the House is Mike Johnson.

He is a Republican. Mike Johnson became Speaker of the House in October 2023.

What is the name of the Speaker of the House now? –> Mike Johnson

The highest court in the United States is the Supreme Court.

The leader of the Supreme Court is called the Chief Justice.

Swearing in of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

Right now, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is John Roberts.

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? –> John Roberts

The leader of the federal government is the president.

The leader of a state is called the governor. In most states, we elect a governor for 4 years.

Extra information: In Vermont and New Hampshire, they elect a governor for only 2 years.

Governor Tina Kotek (Oregon)
Photo by Oregon State University
Governor Bob Ferguson (Washington)

You need to know the governor of your state. Right now, the governor of Oregon is Tina Kotek. In Washington state, the governor is Bob Ferguson.

Who is the Governor of your state now? –> Tina Kotek (Oregon)

Who is the Governor of your state now? –> Bob Ferguson (Washington)

Every state has two senators who go to Washington D.C. They work in the Senate.

Ron Wyden
Jeff Merkley

Senators work for all of the people in the state. You need to know at least one of the names of your state’s senators.

Oregon’s senators are Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

Washington’s senators are Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.

Who is one of your state’s US Senators now? –> Ron Wyden or Jeff Merkley (Oregon) –> Patty Murray or Maria Cantwell (Washington)

Each state also has representatives in the House of Representatives.

Some states have more representatives because they have more people. For example, Oregon has 6 representatives. But, Washington state has 10 representatives.

If you don’t know who your representative is, you can check using your zip code or address on the US House website.

The representative for Portland, Gresham, and some other places is Maxine Dexter.

The representative for Beaverton and Washington County in Oregon is Suzanne Bonamici.

The representative for Clackamas and some other parts of Oregon is Janelle Bynum

The representative for Salem, Woodburn, Tigard, Tualatin, and some other parts of Oregon is Andrea Salinas.

doubled

If you live in Southwest Washington state, your representative is probably Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez. She works for people in Vancouver, Longview, and other parts of Southwest Washington.

Washington’s 3rd district

Name your US Representative. –> Maxine Dexter / Dexter (Portland), Suzanne Bonamici / Bonamici (Beaverton and Washington County), Janelle Bynum/ Bynum (Clackamas) Andrea Salinas /Salinas (Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, and farther south), Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez / Gluesenkamp Perez (Southwest Washington)

The United States is a democracy. This means every person has a voice, and every citizen has a vote.

American citizens can do many things to be part of our democracy. They can participate in many ways.

For example, citizens can vote for leaders they like. In Oregon and Washington, citizens can also vote on new laws for the state.

Another way Americans can participate is calling or emailing your representative.

When you call your representative, you can tell them your opinion about important things. A good representative will listen to the people.

A bad representative will not get your votes in the next election. 🙂

(100 Q Civics) What are 2 ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? –> Vote and Call your Representative / Join a political party

(128 Q Civics) What are two examples of civic participation in the United States? –> Vote and Call your representative / Join a political party

Civics Review

  1. What is the capital of the United States?*
  2. What is the capital of your state?*
  3. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
  4. What is the political party of the President now?
  5. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
  6. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
  7. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
  8. Who is the Governor of your state now?
  9. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
  10. Name your U.S. Representative.
  11. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
Places and People 1

Places and People 1

Posted on Author teacherericPosted in Civics and Reading A, Fall 2021
Where is this? How do you know?

The federal government meets in Washington, D.C. Congress meets here.

It is the capital of the United States. The president lives here. The supreme court is here, too.

But, it does not have a state. So, it does not have any senators or representatives.

What is the capital of the United States? –> Washington, D.C.

This is the Oregon capital building.

The largest city in Oregon is Portland, but it is not the capital.

The capital of Oregon is Salem.

For our friends in Washington state, the capital of Washington is Olympia.

What is the capital of your state? –> Salem

Official portrait of Vice President Joe Biden in his West Wing Office at the White House, Jan. 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann).

The leader of the federal government is the president. We elect a president every four years. We elect the president in November.

When we have a new president, they start to work in January. Donald Trump became president, again, on January 20, 2025.

What is the name of the President of the United States now? –> Donald Trump / Trump

The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican. Donald Trump is a Republican. Most people say that Trump is the leader of the Republican party.

(100 Q Civics) What is the political party of the President now? –> Republican

The Vice President works with the President. If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes president.

Now, the Vice President is J.D. Vance. He is from Ohio.

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? –> J.D. Vance / Vance

Review

94. What is the capital of the United States?*
44. What is the capital of your state?*
28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
46. What is the political party of the President now?
29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

Writing Practice