Testing citizenship_高级精读
where does santa clause come from? how old do you have to be to buy a lottery ticket? if your adult son declares he's a gay, what do you do? if a film or a book insults your religious feelings, what is your reaction? why are aboriginal peoples seeking self-government? who has the power to declare war?
answering such questions correctly may not define you as a citizen of the world. but it could help you become a citizen of britain (the first two), germany (the second two), canada (the next) or the us (the last).
last week, a sample of the new us citizenship exam was released by the us citizenship and immigration services (uscis). it will be tried out in 10 cities early next year to replace the current test in 2008.
instead of asking how many stripes the us flag has, as the current test does, the new one asks why there are 13 stripes. instead of having to name the branches of government, an applicant is asked to explain why there are three.
promoting unity
"the goal is to make it more meaningful," explains emilio gonzalez, director of the uscis. immigrants who pass it are expected to have a better "understanding and respect" for us civic values, gonzalez says.
the us isn't the only country dealing with citizenship tests that aim to get a "shared commitment" from immigrants for their adopted country's "values".
in recent years, in addition to the usual requirement of language/work skills and economic status, several european countries have adopted citizenship tests.
britain introduced a new citizenship test last november. in march, a new dutch law took effect requiring all would-be immigrants to take a citizenship test. it involved watching a video showing nude women bathing at beaches and gay men kissing in public. the aim was to ensure that "newcomers will be comfortable with the country's liberal social mores".
europe has been known for welcoming immigrants for decades. but, today, the fact is that some immigrants are kept apart from local citizens by culture and they become hostile to each other. promoting integration has become a major concern for european countries, after the rioting in muslim ghettoes in france and the killing of dutch public figures by religious extremists.
officials believe that a person's attachment to a country can be tested by his or her knowledge of the country. however some critics say that the changes can do little to help people assimilate themselves.
"immigration is a culture war today. is giving a new test the [right] way to lessen the accusations in that fight?" says ali noorani, of the massachusetts immigrant and refugee advocacy coalition.
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can you pass the uk test?
britain's citizenship test, titled "life in the uk", consists of 24 multiple choice questions to be answered in 45 minutes. sample questions:
1. when did women first get the vote?
a. 1840 b. 1901 c. 1918 d. 1945
2. how long was britain at war during world war ii?
a. two years b. four years c. six years d. eight years
3. why did large numbers of jewish people go to britain during 1880-1910?
a. to escape famine
b. to escape violence they faced at home
c. to invade and seize land
d. none of the above
4. cigarette smoking in britain has risen significantly, true or false?
a. true b. false
5. how often is the census carried out in the uk?
a. once every five years b. once every eight years
c. once every 10 years d. whenever the government decides.
answers: 1, c; 2, c; 3, b; 4, b; 5, c
what about the us
the us's new test will continue to be an oral test in english. it will have 10 questions. six correct answers will earn a passing grade. the content is designed to avoid simple historical facts about america and to focus more on explaining the principles of american democracy.
sample questions:
1. what is the supreme law of the land?
2. what does the constitution do?
3. what does "we the people" mean in the constitution?
4. what is an amendment?
5. why does the us have three branches of government?
answers:
1. the constitution;
2. "it sets up the government" or "it protects the basic rights of americans."
3. the power of government comes from the people.
4. it is a change to the constitution.
5. so no branch becomes too powerful.
-----------
census: 人口普查 famine: 饥荒
answering such questions correctly may not define you as a citizen of the world. but it could help you become a citizen of britain (the first two), germany (the second two), canada (the next) or the us (the last).
last week, a sample of the new us citizenship exam was released by the us citizenship and immigration services (uscis). it will be tried out in 10 cities early next year to replace the current test in 2008.
instead of asking how many stripes the us flag has, as the current test does, the new one asks why there are 13 stripes. instead of having to name the branches of government, an applicant is asked to explain why there are three.
promoting unity
"the goal is to make it more meaningful," explains emilio gonzalez, director of the uscis. immigrants who pass it are expected to have a better "understanding and respect" for us civic values, gonzalez says.
the us isn't the only country dealing with citizenship tests that aim to get a "shared commitment" from immigrants for their adopted country's "values".
in recent years, in addition to the usual requirement of language/work skills and economic status, several european countries have adopted citizenship tests.
britain introduced a new citizenship test last november. in march, a new dutch law took effect requiring all would-be immigrants to take a citizenship test. it involved watching a video showing nude women bathing at beaches and gay men kissing in public. the aim was to ensure that "newcomers will be comfortable with the country's liberal social mores".
europe has been known for welcoming immigrants for decades. but, today, the fact is that some immigrants are kept apart from local citizens by culture and they become hostile to each other. promoting integration has become a major concern for european countries, after the rioting in muslim ghettoes in france and the killing of dutch public figures by religious extremists.
officials believe that a person's attachment to a country can be tested by his or her knowledge of the country. however some critics say that the changes can do little to help people assimilate themselves.
"immigration is a culture war today. is giving a new test the [right] way to lessen the accusations in that fight?" says ali noorani, of the massachusetts immigrant and refugee advocacy coalition.
-----------------------
can you pass the uk test?
britain's citizenship test, titled "life in the uk", consists of 24 multiple choice questions to be answered in 45 minutes. sample questions:
1. when did women first get the vote?
a. 1840 b. 1901 c. 1918 d. 1945
2. how long was britain at war during world war ii?
a. two years b. four years c. six years d. eight years
3. why did large numbers of jewish people go to britain during 1880-1910?
a. to escape famine
b. to escape violence they faced at home
c. to invade and seize land
d. none of the above
4. cigarette smoking in britain has risen significantly, true or false?
a. true b. false
5. how often is the census carried out in the uk?
a. once every five years b. once every eight years
c. once every 10 years d. whenever the government decides.
answers: 1, c; 2, c; 3, b; 4, b; 5, c
what about the us
the us's new test will continue to be an oral test in english. it will have 10 questions. six correct answers will earn a passing grade. the content is designed to avoid simple historical facts about america and to focus more on explaining the principles of american democracy.
sample questions:
1. what is the supreme law of the land?
2. what does the constitution do?
3. what does "we the people" mean in the constitution?
4. what is an amendment?
5. why does the us have three branches of government?
answers:
1. the constitution;
2. "it sets up the government" or "it protects the basic rights of americans."
3. the power of government comes from the people.
4. it is a change to the constitution.
5. so no branch becomes too powerful.
-----------
census: 人口普查 famine: 饥荒