20 of the more difficult US Citizenship Test questions

The United States is in the process of changing the citizenship and naturalization test. The goal is to make the questions reflect more closely information about the U.S. that will actually be useful for new citizens to know.

Currently the test is itself "in testing," being available to potential citizens who volunteer to take it. If they fail, they are allowed to re-take the original test. Sometime during 2008 the new test will become the official one, after it is adjusted from the information during the current pilot program.

Potential new U.S. citizens have a 100 question guide to study from, and they will need to answer 20 written questions in multiple-answer format.

New citizens will also have to take an oral examination ("the naturalization interview"), during which immigration officials can ask any one of the 100 questions. The interviewee will not be given answers to choose from; he (or she) will have to answer from memory.

Also, during the interview, the interviewer is allowed to ask similar questions that may not be exactly like the ones from the study guide. One of the goals of the interview is to determine if the new citizen has a clear knowledge of the English language.

Below are 20 of the more difficult questions with sample answers that an immigrant may expect to choose from on the written test today.

We will publish the answers early next week, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Good Luck!

1. How many stripes are there on the U.S. flag?

10
13
50
51

2. Who is the chief justice of the Supreme Court today?

George W. Bush
Alberto Gonzales
Thomas Jefferson
John G. Roberts Jr.

3. In what year was the Constitution written?

1776
1787
1876
1812

4. Which of these is guaranteed by the First Amendment?

Freedom of the press
Right to bear arms
Right to happiness
Right to trial by jury

5. How many Supreme Court justices are there?

3
9
10
13

6. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

The Preamble
The Bill of Rights
First Ten Amendments
Lewis "Scooter" Libby

7. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776
July 4, 1787
July 4, 1812
July 4, 1876

8. Which of the following amendments to the Constitution does NOT address or guarantee voting rights?

19th Amendment
24th Amendment
15th Amendment
7th Amendment

9. What are the 13 original states?

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Zealand, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland

Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maryland, Washington, D.C.

10. What do the stripes on the U.S. flag mean?

The Cabinet
One for each state in the Union
They represent the 13 original states
One for each article of the Constitution

11. What is the introduction to the Constitution called?

The Preamble
The Bill of Rights
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation

12. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

9
10
13
27

13. Which of the following is NOT one of the constitutional requirements to be eligible to become president?

Must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve
Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years
Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States
Must have served as a governor

14. Who selects the Supreme Court justices?

The Electoral College
The people
They are appointed by the president
The Senate

15. How many representatives are there in Congress?

50
100
102
435

16. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death?"

George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
Patrick Henry

17. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

In search of gold
To meet the Indians
For religious freedom
To escape the Revolutionary War

18. Who has the power to declare war?

Congress
The president
Chief justice of the Supreme Court
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

19. What INS form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

Form N-200 "Petition for Naturalization"
N-400 "Application for Naturalization"
Social Security card
FD-258

20. Which of these contains three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Right to life, right to liberty, right to the pursuit of happiness
Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion
Right to protest, right to protection under the law, freedom of religion
Freedom of religion, right to elect representatives, human rights