Comprehensive U.S. Citizenship, Government, and Civic Responsibilities Review

What is a citizen?

Members of a community who owe loyalty to a government and are entitled to its protection.

What is civics?

The study of the duties and rights of citizens.

What is citizenship?

The rights and duties of citizens, giving them the legal right to participate in government.

What is government?

An organization that provides order, security, and services to a community.

What is naturalization?

A legal process to obtain citizenship.

Who are aliens?

Foreign-born residents who have not been naturalized.

What is a refugee?

A person fleeing their country to escape danger.

How can a person become a citizen?

By being born in the U.S. or a territory, having a citizen parent, or through naturalization.

What is the difference between natural born citizens and naturalized citizens?

Naturalized citizens must go through a legal process, while natural born citizens are citizens from birth.

How else can one be a natural born citizen?

By being born in any American territory.

What are the requirements for naturalization?

Must be 18 or older, have lawful permanent residence for at least 5 years, be able to read, write, and speak English, have good moral character, and show understanding of U.S. civics.

What are ways to lose citizenship?

Expatriation, denaturalization, and conviction of certain crimes.

How can a foreign person enter the United States?

By being a refugee.

What is the difference between legal aliens and illegal aliens?

Legal aliens can hold jobs and own property, while illegal aliens enter the U.S. unlawfully.

How do the rights of legal aliens differ from illegal aliens?

Illegal aliens can be arrested and deported.

How do the rights of legal aliens differ from U.S. citizens?

U.S. citizens can leave and return freely, while legal aliens have restrictions.

Why do we study civics?

To understand our rights and knowledge of citizenship.

What are responsibilities?

Tasks that we should handle.

What is a duty?

Actions that we are required to do.

What does tolerance mean?

Respecting and accepting others regardless of differences.

What is welfare?

The health, prosperity, and happiness of all members of a community.

What is volunteerism?

Offering time and services to others without payment.

What is the difference between a duty and a responsibility?

A duty is required, while a responsibility is something we should do.

What is the selective service?

A system that records all males for potential drafting in emergencies.

Why is serving on a jury a civic duty?

It ensures fair court attendance by citizens.

Why is attending school required for children?

It prepares them for real-life work and problem-solving.

Why is it necessary for citizens to be informed?

To support claims and understand community issues.

What is the common good?

Community projects and charities that benefit everyone.

What is the most important duty of a citizen?

Paying taxes to fund community services.

What is socialism?

A system where the government controls all aspects of the economy.

What is a representative democracy?

A system where citizens choose representatives to make decisions for them.

What is a constitutional monarchy?

A system where the power of the king/queen is limited by laws.

What is majority rule?

A political principle where the majority makes binding laws.

What is public policy?

Decisions and actions a government takes to solve community problems.

What are authoritarian regimes?

Governments where power is held by individuals or groups not accountable to the people.

What is totalitarianism?

A government that controls almost all aspects of people's lives.

What is ideology?

A strict idea of life and society.

What is federalism?

The sharing of power between the federal and state governments.

What are the four broad functions of government?

Keeping order, providing security, providing services, and guiding the community.

How do governments keep order?

By passing laws and establishing courts.

What are the levels of government?

Federal, state, and local governments, each handling different issues.

How does a representative democracy work?

Citizens choose representatives to make laws and decisions.

How does a constitutional democracy differ from a constitutional monarchy?

In a constitutional democracy, power is held by the people; in a monarchy, a king's power is limited by laws.

What are the seven principles of American Democracy?

Popular sovereignty, republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, limited government, individual rights.

What are the key differences between democratic and authoritarian regimes?

Democratic regimes allow voting; authoritarian regimes do not.

What is majority rule and how are minority groups protected?

Majority rule means decisions are made by the majority, and minority rights are protected by the constitution.

Give an example of an authoritarian regime today.

North Korea, where power is held by Kim Jong-un.

How is a federal system different from a unitary system?

In a federal system, power is divided between national and state governments; in a unitary system, power is held by a central government.