U.S. Citizenship and English Practice
Prepare for the U.S. Naturalization Interview with reading, writing, civics questions, and N-400 personal information practice.
Watch and listen to this example interview with an officer and George Lincoln.
The United States government has many parts. Congress makes federal laws. The court interprets the laws. The president signs bills to become laws. The president is also in charge of the Executive branch.
Each part of the government is called a branch. The constitution made 3 branches of government to work together.
Name one branch or part of the government.* –> Congress / the President / the courts
The founding fathers did not want America to have a king. They worried about one part of the government from getting too much power.
So, congress has some powers over the president. The president has some power over congress. The court has some power over the president and congress. Congress and the president also have some power over the court.
This separation of power is supposed to keep things balanced. We sometimes call these rules checks and balances.
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? –> Checks and Balances
Another balance of power is between the federal government and state governments. The federal government means the government of all 50 states, with the capital in Washington, D.C.
Only the federal government can do some special things, like:
Be careful with this question: it is very similar to another question!
The key word is: federal government
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? –> print money
On the other hand, only state governments have these powers:
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? –> give a driver license
The constitution is the most important law of the United States.
That is what we mean when we say the constitution is the supreme law of the US.
Practice saying “The Constitution” because you will need to say it for many of the questions and answers 😊
What is the supreme law of the land? –> The Constitution
The Constitution has the idea of self-government in the first three words.
Self-government means a government by the people, of the people, and for the people.
It means we have a democracy, and we elect representatives.
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? –> We the people
Before the Constitution, the US didn’t have a clear system. States did not agree about important things like money, the military, or elections.
The Constitution was a plan to set up the government. It explains the system of government.
What does the Constitution do? –> It sets up the government.
The founding fathers were leaders who started the United States. They met in 1787 to write a new constitution for the US.
(We will learn more about the history of the founding fathers later 🤗)
How can you remember this year? For example, can you remember something that happened in 1987?
When was the Constitution written? –> 1787
This meeting was called the “Constitutional Convention.” During the Constitutional Convention, the founding fathers wrote the constitution.
We also say that at the Constitutional Convention, the constitution was written.
What happened at the Constitutional Convention? –>The founding fathers wrote the constitution / The Constitution was written.
After the constitution was written, every state voted to agree or disagree with it.
Alexander Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers. They explained why the US needed this constitution.
There is only one question about the Federalist Papers. When you hear “Federalist Papers,” you can think about this song:
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. –> Alexander Hamilton / John Jay / James Madison
Watch part of Antonio’s interview.
What do you think: Did he do great? Terrible? So-so?
What questions did you hear? Did you hear the most important question?
Eric’s favorite question is:Excuse me, can you explain that?
What questions did you hear?
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?
You can watch the video from minute 5:12 to 8:30.
Do you agree that Marco did a good job? Why do you think so?
What questions did you hear?
You know that you should come _____________ minutes early, and the address of USCIS in Portland is _________ ________ Overton St.
But when you come to USCIS for the interview, what should you bring?
Choose 2 out of 3 (2 are correct, 1 is not necessary). For example:
| Your notice of interview appointment. | Permanent Resident Card. | A toothbrush and toothpaste. |
Correct answers: Your notice of interview appointment and permanent resident card
| Your passport and Oregon ID (or drivers license) | A library card with your name on it. | All your expired (old) passports. |
| Your marriage certificate (if you’re married) | Your divorce papers (if you’re divorced). | Flowers (if you meet someone cute at the interview) |
| Official papers for your dog or cat (if you have one) | Name change papers (if you changed your name before) | Court papers (if you had a criminal problem before) |
For men between 18-31, you should bring proof of Selective Service Registration. Please call Selective Service at 1-847-688-6888 or visit https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Check-a-Registration/Verification-Form
| A face mask to help prevent COVID-19 | A stick that is 6 feet long so you will stay physically distant. | A black pen |
You can read the answers to the questions in the section below.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Name one state that borders Mexico. –> California
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