How people become citizens, and duties vs responsibilities
Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Building Confidence
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
Applying after five years as a permanent resident
Who made it: US Citizenship and Immigration Services. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the rules to the public. Summary in our words, not a quotation: To apply on Form N-400, a person must be at least 18 and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years. The person must have been physically in the United States for at least 30 months of those five years, show good moral character, and pass tests in basic English and civics. An approved applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony, and is not a citizen until taking the Oath.
Ari reads the naturalization card. A permanent resident has lived in the country for four years. Can the resident apply under the five-year rule?
- Yes, because 30 months in the country is enough to qualify now
- Yes, because the resident is over 18 years old
- Yes, if the resident passes the tests early
- Not yet: five years as a permanent resident is required
Esme reads that an applicant has been approved. When does the applicant become a citizen?
- After the interview and the civics test are both finished
- As soon as the application is approved
- After taking the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony
- After the English test is passed
Fourteenth Amendment, section 1 (first sentence)
Who made it: Congress, which proposed it, and the states, which ratified it. When: Ratified July 9, 1868. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: the nation and its courts. Why: to say who is a citizen. Excerpt (Constitution, Fourteenth Amendment (1868), section 1, first sentence; Exact Text of the Constitution (Lovell, 1895)): "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Jun reads the Fourteenth Amendment's first sentence. Which people does it name as citizens?
- Anyone living in the United States
- Persons born in the United States, whether or not subject to its jurisdiction there
- Persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction
- Persons whose parents were born in the United States
Citizens' rights and responsibilities
Who made it: US Citizenship and Immigration Services. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the rules to the public. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Rights: freedom to express yourself; a prompt, fair trial by jury; voting in elections for public officials; running for elected office. Responsibilities: stay informed; take part in the democratic process; respect and obey federal, state and local laws; respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others; take part in the local community; pay income and other taxes honestly and on time; serve on a jury when called upon.
Kira reads the USCIS list. Which item is a right of citizens?
- Skipping a jury summons when busy
- Paying income taxes honestly and on time
- Running for elected office
- Serving on a jury when called upon
Jury service
Who made it: the United States Courts. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the rules to the public. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Jury service is an important civic duty that protects rights and liberties. Citizens who are 18 or older may serve on a federal jury under the Jury Selection and Service Act. Courts randomly select eligible citizens from counties within the district.
Luz reads the jury card. How are people chosen for a federal jury?
- Voters elect the jurors before each trial
- Volunteers apply, and the court picks the first ones who sign up each year
- Courts randomly select eligible citizens from counties in the district
- Judges choose people they already know
Who can vote
Who made it: USAGov, the US government's web portal. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the rules to the public. Summary in our words, not a quotation: To vote in federal elections, you must be a US citizen, meet your state's residency requirements, and be 18 on or before Election Day.
Milo reads the voting card. Which person may vote in a federal election?
- Any resident who is 18 or older
- A US citizen who turns 18 the week after Election Day and meets state rules
- A permanent resident who pays taxes on time
- A US citizen who is 18 by Election Day and meets state residency rules
Amendments about citizenship and voting
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the Constitution's amendments. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The 13th Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865, and the 14th on July 9, 1868. The 19th Amendment, ratified on August 18, 1920, bars denying the vote on account of sex. The 26th Amendment, ratified on July 1, 1971, bars denying the vote to citizens who are 18 or older on account of age.
Noah has a made-up classmate who turns 18 on July 2, 1971. Which newly ratified amendment lets that classmate vote?
- The 26th Amendment, ratified July 1, 1971
- The 13th Amendment, ratified December 6, 1865
- The 14th Amendment, ratified July 9, 1868
- The 19th Amendment, ratified August 18, 1920
Citizens' rights and responsibilities
Who made it: US Citizenship and Immigration Services. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the rules to the public. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Rights: freedom to express yourself; a prompt, fair trial by jury; voting in elections for public officials; running for elected office. Responsibilities: stay informed; take part in the democratic process; respect and obey federal, state and local laws; respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of others; take part in the local community; pay income and other taxes honestly and on time; serve on a jury when called upon.
On this sheet, duties are required by law and responsibilities are chosen. Pia asks which item is a duty. Which is it?
- Taking part in the local community by volunteering
- Staying informed about issues
- Running for elected office
- Paying income taxes honestly and on time
Amendments about citizenship and voting
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the Constitution's amendments. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The 13th Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865, and the 14th on July 9, 1868. The 19th Amendment, ratified on August 18, 1920, bars denying the vote on account of sex. The 26th Amendment, ratified on July 1, 1971, bars denying the vote to citizens who are 18 or older on account of age.
Ren reads the card on the 19th Amendment. What does it bar when it comes to the vote?
- Denying the vote on account of sex
- Denying the vote on account of citizenship
- Denying the vote to people who own no land
- Denying the vote on account of age
Applying after five years as a permanent resident
Who made it: US Citizenship and Immigration Services. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the rules to the public. Summary in our words, not a quotation: To apply on Form N-400, a person must be at least 18 and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years. The person must have been physically in the United States for at least 30 months of those five years, show good moral character, and pass tests in basic English and civics. An approved applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony, and is not a citizen until taking the Oath.
A rule needs 30 months in the country out of five years. Tala imagines a resident who spent three of the five years abroad. Does the resident meet it?
- Yes, because five years have passed
- No: only 24 months in the country is below 30
- No, because the rule asks for five years inside the country
- Yes, because 36 months abroad is more than 30