US Citizenship Test

[Gob]

Anything about "The Arse", Meade?

[Sean]

I find that even 30 odd years on, most people outside England immediately start to talk about Ossie Ardiles when Spurs is mentioned...

But we certainly won't talk about Sunday's result Meade...

[Gob]

"Ozzie's going to Wembley,
His knees have gone all trembly!"

[Lord Jim]

You must have misunderstood the General...

He made a reference to real football...

[Sean]

Precisely, Association Football (or soccer to you furriners...).

Glad to see that you're getting with the programme at last Jim. We'll make an honorary Brit out of you yet!

[MajGenl.Meade]

Arse? Arse? You mean Arsehole Wanker and Arse=nil? Oh wait - that was 3-4 and goodbye Europe....

Actually I was watching the 2nd half and found myself kind of hoping Arse-n'all would actually beat ACM. It might distract them from the real football league - the one that no-one from England plays in any more.

Europe - what a disaster the whole thing is

Meade

PS we don't talk about last week or last Sunday either for that matter.

[Andrew D]

It is not a test for "an immigrant moving to a new country," Gob. It is a citizenship test for people who have already been living in the new country. It is a citizenship test.

Pretty simple quiz!

Perhaps because most -- not all, but most -- of the questions pertain to things which actually matter.

Wrong, most of them are totally irrelevant to an immigrant moving to a new country.

It is not a test for new immigrants. New immigrants are, in general, not even eligible to take it.

It is a citizenship test.

In general, one cannot just waltz into the US, fill out some paperwork, and become a citizen. On the contrary, in general, one must live here for quite a while first:

Eligibility Requirements
...
•Be a permanent resident (have a “green card”) for at least 5 years.
...
•Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400.

•Be physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400.

•Be able to read, write, and speak basic English.

•Have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).
....

After five years, most people who give a rat's ass about the lottery understand how old they must be to play it.

We give permanent residents seeking naturalization a test which emphasizes civics, because we are considering conferring upon them the great privilege of becoming US citizens:

As a permanent resident, you have most of the rights of U.S. citizens. However, there are many important reasons to consider U.S. citizenship. Citizenship offers new rights and privileges, but comes with equally important responsibilities. As a citizen you can:

•Vote.
Only citizens can vote in federal elections. Most states also restrict the right to vote, in most elections, to U.S. citizens.

•Serve on a jury.
Only U.S. citizens can serve on a federal jury. Most states also restrict jury service to U.S. citizens. Serving on a jury is an important responsibility for U.S. citizens.

•Travel with a U.S. passport.
A U.S. passport enables you to get assistance from the U.S. government when overseas, if necessary.

•Bring family members to the U.S.
U.S. citizens generally get priority when petitioning to bring family members permanently to this country.

•Obtain citizenship for children under 18 years of age.
In most cases, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen.

•Apply for federal jobs.
Certain jobs with government agencies require U.S. citizenship.

•Become an elected official.
Only citizens can run for federal office (U.S. Senate or House of Representatives) and for most state and local offices.

•Keep your residency.
A U.S. citizen’s right to remain in the United States cannot be taken away.

•Become eligible for federal grants and scholarships.
Many financial aid grants, including college scholarships and funds given by the government for specific purposes, are available only to U.S. citizens.

•Obtain government benefits.
Some government benefits are available only to U.S. citizens.

And, as it happens, the UK also requires, in general, that a person seeking UK citizenship have lived in the UK:

Can I be naturalised as a British citizen?

If you are over 18 and have been living in the United Kingdom for the last five years (or three years if you are married to or a civil partner of a British citizen) you may be able to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. You may also be able to apply for naturalisation if you or your husband, wife or civil partner is in crown or designated service outside the United Kingdom. Applications for naturalisation are made using application form AN.

And so, as it happens, does Australia:

Australian Citizenship Act 2007 Residence Requirements

To satisfy the residence requirements you must have:

4 years lawful residence in Australia. This period must include 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before making an application for Australian citizenship
and
absences from Australia of no more than 12 months in total in the 4 years prior to application, including not more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately prior to application.
Lawful residence means residence in Australia on a temporary or permanent visa.