Quiz Me

[radhak]

We have our US Citizenship interviews tomorrow. LOML hass been religiously (sorry ) going thru the questions given by the INS but I never bothered, so today she wanted to quiz me. I have always been deeply interested in the US 'Civics' so she could barely find a question that caught me off foot. But I realize the real reason is that their questions are pretty tame.

So here's my challenge : ask me a question that pertains to the US history or geography or civics that could be asked in the interview (or should be), and let's assume they get real tough and are out to break b*lls .

But the twist is - you can only ask questions that you already know, and have answers for. You cannot refer to anything (internet or non-) just so you could 'show me my place' ! If you need to look up even the spelling, you should not ask that question. Scout's Honor!

If any of you don't remember (or never had to know) the type of questions asked, here are a few that don't insult anybody's intelligence :
a. If the President and Vice-president die, who's next in line to be President?
b. Which are the 49th and 50th states, and when did they become so?
c. How many amendments?
d. What is the Bill of Rights, what all does it cover, and when was it passed?
e. How many amendments have addressed voting rights?
did any of these stump you?

(these are legitimate questions, and I did know the answers, so there!).

Along the way I am also eager to know of your own experience of this, if you went thru this.

[Alex Franke]

Cool! Sounds exciting!

* What's the Pledge of Allegiance?
* How many representatives are there in Congress?
* How old do you have to be to be president?
* Which was *not* one of the original 13 states? New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, or Georgia
* What's the southernmost US State?
* What's the easternmost US State?

[radhak]

Cool! Sounds exciting!



* What's the Pledge of Allegiance?
* How many representatives are there in Congress?
* How old do you have to be to be president?
* Which was *not* one of the original 13 states? New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, or Georgia
* What's the southernmost US State?
* What's the easternmost US State?

nice ones!

- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the USA, and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
- 435
- 35
- Vermont
- FL
- Maine

(did a lot of backspace/delete on the first one, and not very sure of the last)

[radhak]

re-thinking - (I know, not allowed in the real test!),

Dunno how much south (or not) is Hawaii.

And (duh!) - alaska should be be much north of maine!!!

[Alex Franke]

Ooo -- thought of a couple more:

* What's the form of government of the United States? (I'm pretty sure I know this, but we'll see!)
* What US state has the longest official name, and what is that name?
* What's the capital of the District of Colombia?
* Name four US territories (not states).
* What's the longest river in the USA and in which state does it start?

[Alex Franke]

- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the USA, and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
- 435
- 35
- Vermont
- FL
- Maine

* In the pledge, if they ask, remember to say "United States of America". ALso, "and to the republic". Plus I think "under God" is still in there between "one nation" and "indivisible".
* Right! or 535 if you include the senate - but I guess I did say representatives!
* Right!
* Right! I think you're the first person I've met that actually knows that one!
* Hawai'i
* Alaska, believe it or not. (by longitude). Otherwise Maine is probably right. Trick question.

[Tom Slick]

I've only gone through this in schooling but my grandfather was a naturalized citizen.

here are a couple, I'll hold them to typical high school level, College level isn't so cut and dry.
What were the pre-revolution major political parties?
What were the federalist papers?
what were the articles of confederation?
Recite the preamble of the constitution.
What is the difference between "Hamiltonian" and "Jeffersonian" politics? Which one was used?

[radhak]

Ooo -- thought of a couple more:

* What's the form of government of the United States? (I'm pretty sure I know this, but we'll see!)
* What US state has the longest official name, and what is that name?
* What's the capital of the District of Colombia?
* Name four US territories (not states).
* What's the longest river in the USA and in which state does it start?

whoa - now you are getting serious!

- Republic, chosen democratically. (ain't that phrase full of possibilities of irony!)
- draw a blank; am sure logic will not work here - would have thought District of Columbia is long enough, but methinks many states use 'State of ...', so maybe pensylvania/mississippee...? but all that is guesswork, so does not count.
- DC does not have a capital... ?
- 4?!! hmm - Puerto Rico, DC, and...hmmm/haaw... I know of the British virgin Islands, but vaguely remember American Virgin Islands...not sure...also, isn't there something called the Federal states of Micronesia or something...?
(again, cannot claim full marks)
- Mississippi, Itasca, MN. Not sure, but it has to be, seeing it's legendary status in the US; and having lived in Minneapolis, we had visited Itasca, hence know the other details.


tough ones, though.

[radhak]

I've only gone through this in schooling but my grandfather was a naturalized citizen.

here are a couple, I'll hold them to typical high school level, College level isn't so cut and dry.
What were the pre-revolution major political parties?
What were the federalist papers?
what were the articles of confederation?
Recite the preamble of the constitution.
What is the difference between "Hamiltonian" and "Jeffersonian" politics? Which one was used?

I should not have started this - now you guys are showing me up !

- Just the Democratic party? No wait, there was a Whig party?
- No clue; guess : some sort of a pro-Britain mandate?
- this was what we had before the Constitution was adopted in 1787?
- am afraid cannot go beyond 'we the people'!
- Dunno the difference, but am guessing Jeffersonian won?

Oh gawd - that was so awful, i wish i could have used google...

[radhak]

* In the pledge, if they ask, remember to say "United States of America". ALso, "and to the republic". Plus I think "under God" is still in there between "one nation" and "indivisible".
* Right! or 535 if you include the senate - but I guess I did say representatives!
* Right!
* Right! I think you're the first person I've met that actually knows that one!
* Hawai'i
* Alaska, believe it or not. (by longitude). Otherwise Maine is probably right. Trick question.

So true - I need to have the pledge 'by heart'. Lemme sleep with it under my pillow tonight.

As for Vermont - the names of the 13 original states are swirling around in the air in my house, my wife has recited all of them loudly so many times , that she'd have brained me if i had slipped on that one!

[Alex Franke]

- Republic, chosen democratically. (ain't that phrase full of possibilities of irony!)
- draw a blank; am sure logic will not work here - would have thought District of Columbia is long enough, but methinks many states use 'State of ...', so maybe pensylvania/mississippee...? but all that is guesswork, so does not count.
- DC does not have a capital... ?
- 4?!! hmm - Puerto Rico, DC, and...hmmm/haaw... I know of the British virgin Islands, but vaguely remember American Virgin Islands...not sure...also, isn't there something called the Federal states of Micronesia or something...?
- Mississippi, Itasca, MN. Not sure, but it has to be, seeing it's legendary status in the US; and having lived in Minneapolis, we had visited Itasca, hence know the other details.

* I think Federated Republic - but don't quote me on that. Maybe someone else here can confirm or correct.
* Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
* The city of Washington is the capital of "the District" - don't remember where I learned this, but I do recall that it was at least moderately reputable.
* The four I was thinking of were US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa, but there are a bunch more (e.g. Midway) scattered about out there in the Pacific.
* I knew MN, but not Itasca!

Yeh, I'm pretty sure you'll pass!

The other fact that I always thought was interesting is that Virginia, Kentucky, Mass and Penn are all officially commonwealths, and not states. (e.g. Commonwealth of Virginia) -- I think it's just the four, but I don't know that there's any real difference other than the name. I recalled this recently during all the political debates - some candidates were getting it right, and others were not.

Oh -- here's another one:
* What's the official language of the USA?

[Tom Slick]

Tories and Whigs
Federalist papers were the basis for forming the ideas in the Constitution, written by Hamilton.
CORRECT! Articles of Confederation was the precursor to the Constitution
We the people of the United States of America, In order to form a more perfect union, establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility...That's as far as I can remember...provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Had to memorize it in elementary school and recite it in front of the class.

Hamiltonian politics called for a strong central federal gov't, Jeffersonian politics believed in a strong republic with powerful states that kept the weaker federal gov't in check. Hamilton's ideas were adopted, but Jefferson might have had a better idea.

I'd have been a history major because I am a history nut. The problem is I can't figure out a job other then teaching with it.

[radhak]

Wow! I am enjoying this more and more!

What's the official language of the USA?

Ulp! The only reason you would ask is if it wasn't english! So what's it - Money?
(that's paraphrasing the common notion that 'money talks'...)

Tom - I admit I played hookie a lot during history classes, but nowadays that's the one topic that appeals most, so thanks!

Tories and Whigs! Who'd have thunk it!?

[jussi]

I'd have been a history major because I am a history nut. The problem is I can't figure out a job other then teaching with it.

What, you've never seen "National Treasure"?

[Alex Franke]

Ulp! The only reason you would ask is if it wasn't english! So what's it - Money?

LOL - yeah, you got me on that one. I'm pretty sure there is no "official" language.


Uh... Let's see.....

* Who's famous for riding a horse about Massachusetts in the middle of the night shouting "The Redcoats are coming!" (or something along those lines). He wasn't alone, but he usually gets all the credit.
* What is the name of the national anthem of the USA, who wrote it, what were the circumstances under which it was written, and where/when was it written? (I'm pretty sure it was only a poem when it was written.)
* What's the gist of the Emancipation Proclamation and when was it issued? (around what year)
* What founding father has (rather unfortunately) come to be better known as a tasty beer that's marked with an expiration date to ensure freshness?
* Which side was "the Blue" and which side was "the Gray"?
* What's the square root of pi?
* Name the 5 branches of the US military, and their current Commander-in-chief(s).
* Name two US state capitals that you can't get in a car and drive to from where you are right now.

I have to say it's pretty fun trying to think up all these questions! ...but after this one I'm going to bed!