Rights and responsibilities
Questions and answers
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There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
- 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).
The 26th Amendment of 1971 lowered the voting age to 18. The other three ended poll taxes (24th, 1964), gave women the vote (19th, 1920) and gave male citizens of any race the vote (15th, 1870).
Study guide · Voting in Federal Elections ↗ -
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
- Citizens
- Citizens of the United States
- U.S. citizens
Some rights belong to everyone living in the country, but voting for representatives, senators and the president is a right and a responsibility reserved for U.S. citizens.
Study guide · Voting in Federal Elections ↗ -
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of assembly
- Freedom to petition the government
- Freedom of religion
- The right to bear arms
The First Amendment names five freedoms, speech, religion, assembly, the press and petition, and they belong to everyone living in the United States, not only to citizens.
Study guide · Rights & Freedoms of Everyone Living in the United States Today ↗ -
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- The United States
- The flag
The Pledge is said standing, facing the flag, with the right hand over the heart. It is a promise of loyalty to the flag and to the country it stands for, and everyone says it at naturalization ceremonies.
Study guide · American Symbols ↗ -
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
- 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
At the naturalization ceremony applicants raise their right hand and take the Oath. In it they promise loyalty to the United States, to give up loyalty to other countries, to defend the Constitution and laws, and to serve the nation if needed.
Study guide · Naturalization and U.S. Citizenship ↗ -
How can people become United States citizens?
- Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
- Naturalize
- Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
A person becomes a citizen by birth in the United States under the 14th Amendment, by deriving citizenship under rules set by Congress, or by naturalizing, which ends with the Oath of Allegiance.
Study guide · Naturalization and U.S. Citizenship ↗ -
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
- 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
Civic participation means taking part in democracy. Citizens vote and run for office, and anyone can use freedom of speech to write to a newspaper or tell officials their opinion on an issue.
Study guide · Rights & Freedoms of Everyone Living in the United States Today ↗ -
What is one way Americans can serve their country?
- Vote
- Pay taxes
- Obey the law
- Serve in the military
- Run for office
- Work for local, state, or federal government
Serving the country includes everyday duties. Everyone living in the United States must pay income taxes each year, and the federal tax form is due by April 15.
Study guide · Responsibilities of Individuals Living in the United States ↗ -
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
- Required by law
- All people pay to fund the federal government
- Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
- Civic duty
Paying income tax is part of following the rule of law. The law requires everyone living in the United States to send a federal income tax form to the government every year.
Study guide · Responsibilities of Individuals Living in the United States ↗ -
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
- Required by law
- Civic duty
- Makes the draft fair, if needed
The law makes registration a responsibility of men who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from age 18 until they turn 26.
Study guide · Responsibilities of Individuals Living in the United States ↗