Rights and responsibilities: civics questions 63⁠–⁠72 with answers

Official answers:

• Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
• You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
• Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
• A male citizen of any race (can vote).

Why? The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments opened voting to more people. The 26th set the age at 18.

• amendment: a change or an addition to the Constitution

Official answers:

• Citizens
• Citizens of the United States
• U.S. citizens

Why? Permanent residents can do many things, but only citizens can vote in federal elections and serve on a jury.

• jury: a group of citizens who decide a court case

More about this question

Official answers:

• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom to petition the government
• Freedom of religion
• The right to bear arms

In the interview, name three. For example: Freedom of speech, Freedom of religion and Freedom of assembly.

Why? These rights protect everyone in the U.S., not only citizens. Voting and running for Congress are only for citizens.

• assembly: a group of people meeting together

Official answers:

• The United States
• The flag

Why? The Pledge begins: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.”

• allegiance: loyalty; a promise to support a country

Official answers:

• Give up loyalty to other countries
• Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
• Obey the laws of the United States
• Serve in the military (if needed)
• Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)
• Be loyal to the United States

In the interview, name two. For example: Obey the laws of the United States and Defend the Constitution.

Why? In the Oath, new citizens promise to be loyal to the U.S., and to defend and serve it if needed.

• oath: a serious promise, often said in public

Official answers:

• Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
• Naturalize
• Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)

Why? Most new citizens naturalize: they live here as permanent residents, then apply and pass the test.

• naturalize: to become a citizen of a new country

Official answers:

• Vote
• Run for office
• Join a political party
• Help with a campaign
• Join a civic group
• Join a community group
• Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue)
• Contact elected officials
• Support or oppose an issue or policy
• Write to a newspaper

In the interview, name two. For example: Vote and Join a community group.

Why? Civic participation means taking part in your community and government, not only watching it.

• civic: about the people of a place and their government

Official answers:

• Vote
• Pay taxes
• Obey the law
• Serve in the military
• Run for office
• Work for local, state, or federal government

Why? Tax money pays for roads, schools and the military, so paying taxes helps the whole country.

Official answers:

• Required by law
• All people pay to fund the federal government
• Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
• Civic duty

Why? Since the 16th Amendment in 1913, Congress can collect income tax. This money runs the federal government.

• federal: about the national government, not a state

Official answers:

• Required by law
• Civic duty
• Makes the draft fair, if needed

Why? Men 18 to 25 must register. If a draft is ever needed, names are chosen fairly from this list.

• draft: when the government orders people to join the military