Sunday, October 28, 2007

VOA News: New Civics Questions for US Citizenship Test

I really appreciate the work of Voice of America and I have used the print and audio stories from the Special English Broadcasts. Here is VOA's report on the new Citizenship Test.


New Civics Questions for US Citizenship Test
Officials announce the 100 questions (and answers) about history and government. The newly redesigned naturalization test will be given starting next October.

  1. Article
  2. Print the Article
  3. MP3 - Download Audio
  4. Listen to MP3
  5. Listen in RealAudio

Spend some time exploring the exciting features of VOA's Special English site. Of particular interest to a Citizenship student is the Making of a Nation, a fifteen-minute program in a series about American history broadcasted every Thursday. Good Job, VOA!

For even more information concerning the development of VOA Special English Broadcast, see Voice of America : a history by Alan L. Heil, Jr. and Oracle bones : a journey between China's past and present by Peter Hessler.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Q38-39: USCIS 96 Questions 38-39: Speaker of the House, Chief Justice

USCIS 96 Questions 38-39


Today we will listen to Questions 38-39 plus M-638 comments. You can download the Class Handout 38-39 to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for 38-39:

  1. Speaker of the House
  2. Chief Justice

Dictation Sentences

  1. The House and Senate are parts of Congress.
  2. The people have a voice in government.

You can get more info about the Speaker of the House and the Chief Justice from

  1. ELCivics: The Capitol Building
  2. EL Civics: The Supreme Court
  3. Simple Wiki: Speaker of the House
  4. Simple Wiki: Supreme Court


Friday, October 19, 2007

Q36-37: USCIS 96 Questions 36-37: Capital, Governor

USCIS 96 Questions 36-37


Today we will listen to Questions 36-37 plus M-638 comments. You can download individual State Handouts 36-37 (see below) to deepen your knowledge of US History and Politics and broaden your English language skills. Look for new vocabulary, grammar structures, and idioms.

Note the key words--these words will help you remember the questions and answers. The key words for Q36-37:

  1. Capitol
  2. Governor

Dictation Sentences

  1. The United States of America has fifty states.
  2. There are fifty states in the Union.

You can get more info about State Capitals and Governors from

  1. ELCivics.com: 50 States
  2. State Maps: 50 states
  3. Wikipedia: List of US Governors
  4. Wikipedia: State Capitals (detailed!)
  5. Simple Wiki: State Capitals

Individual State Handouts for Q36-37:

  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. Arkansas
  5. California
  6. Washington

Check back for more states. If you need a state handout quickly, email uscitizenpod@gmail.com. Thanks!