New citizenship test questions planned

Immigrants angling for U.S. citizenship, start studying now. Federal officials Thursday unveiled a new exam designed to quiz immigrants' command of civic history and democratic principles rather than rote facts. Come October 2008, questions about the colors of the U.S. flag and the form needed to apply for citizenship will be shelved in favor of queries about Ben Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr. and a constitutional system of checks and balances.

Federal officials laud the new exam as more meaningful. More than 140 questions were vetted with 6,000 immigrants in 10 cities this year. Yet immigrant rights supporters blast the revamped exam. Coupled with higher fees -- the cost of citizenship climbed from $400 to $675 this summer -- and a shift to online filing, they say the harder test amounts to a "second wall" to citizenship.

Questions will change, but the success rate will not. Applicants still must answer six of 10 questions correctly to pass. To become a U.S. citizen, immigrants must live in this country for five years, be of "good moral character," pass the two-pronged English and civics exam and take an oath of allegiance.

The new exam debuts Oct. 1, 2008.

-Tara Malone

How would you fare?

Immigrants must answer six of 10 questions correctly to pass the revamped citizenship exam. Test your command of U.S. history, politics and geography below.

1. What decides each state's number of U.S. Representatives?

2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?

3. Who becomes President if both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve?

4. What group of essays supported passage of the U.S. Constitution?

5. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States?

6. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

7. What alliance of North America and European countries was created during the Cold War?

8. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

9. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

10. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

Answers:

1. The state's population

2. 27

3. The Speaker of the House

4. The Federalist Papers

5. John Roberts Jr.

6. She fought for women's rights

7. North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO

8. Missouri River, Mississippi River

9. Terrorists attacked the United States

10. April 15

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service