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Citizenship test shows how much, or how little, we know about country

WILLMAR -- A majority of adults in the United States probably know that Barack Obama is the president, and Joe Biden is the vice president.

But how many people know the number of amendments there are in the U.S. Constitution? Can they name their U.S. representative or senators? How much do they know about the Supreme Court?

For legal residents of the United States who wish to become citizens, the answers to those questions are critical.

Prospective citizens must learn the answers to 100 questions about the country's history and government. They will be given a test with 10 of those questions on it, and they must get at least six correct answers to pass.

They need to know who wrote the Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson) and when it was adopted (July 4, 1776).

When it comes to history and geography, some of the questions might challenge adults who grew up in this country but left school behind some years ago.

For people who didn't grow up in the United States, it's a lot to learn about a new country's history.


Who was the president during World War I? (Woodrow Wilson)

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? (The Bill of Rights)

What is the supreme law of the land? (The Constitution)

For the record, the Constitution has 27 amendments, Rep. Collin Peterson is west central Minnesota's congressman, and Minnesota's senators are Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken.

To look at all 100 of the questions on the citizenship test, click on the link.

Linda Vanderwerf


Follow me on Twitter: @lindavanderwerf

(320) 214-4340