Senator Edward Kennedy Laid to Rest Near His Brothers

Beyond 'Law & Order': The US Jury System

VOANews: Beyond 'Law & Order': The US Jury System

On THIS IS AMERICA: An explanation of how the process works in the country that legal experts say holds 90 percent of the world's jury trials.

• MP3 (Tip: Left-click, or right-click and choose "Save...") Download (MP3)


• MP3 Stream (MP3)


• Print Version

Senator Edward Kennedy Leaves Long Legacy

VOAVideo: Senator Edward Kennedy Leaves Long Legacy

Whether helping to provide children with health insurance or lifting families out of poverty, the late U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy made it his life's work to aid the disadvantaged. Friends and colleagues of the Massachusetts lawmaker, who died of brain cancer on Wednesday at the age of 77, say he had an impact that went beyond that of his famous brothers, John and Robert. VOA's Aru Pande has more on Edward Kennedy's legacy.

Kalman: ‘I Lift My Lamp Beside the Golden Door’

Kalman: ‘I Lift My Lamp Beside the Golden Door’ a NYTimes Art Essay/Slide Show--utterly beautiful! More from Maira Kalman:

January
The artist Maira Kalman begins a new illustrated column about American democracy with a chronicle of her visit to Washington for President Obama's inauguration.

February
Inside a Lincoln archive, the illustrator finds herself entranced by the fragile pieces of a monumental life.

March
After a visit to the Supreme Court, and the office of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Maira Kalman thinks about law, decision-making and women breaking barriers.

April
After a visit to the Supreme Court, and the office of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kalman thinks about law, decision-making and women breaking barriers.

May
On visits to Fort Campbell, Ky., and the Pentagon, the artist considers the soldiers who prepare for war and the contradictions that surround them.

June
If you want to understand the United States and its people, says Maira Kalman, you need to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia.

July
How Benjamin Franklin turned America into the land of invention.

August
Maira Kalman explains how everyone got to America.

Senator Kennedy, Champion of Universal Health Care, Dies at 77

VOAVideo: Senator Kennedy, Champion of Universal Health Care, Dies at 77

A champion of liberalism in the United States has died. 77 year old Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy succumbed to brain cancer late Tuesday night. VOA's Carolyn Presutti takes a look at the man whose senate term spanned nearly 50 years and those who are mourning him.

Senator Edward Kennedy, Dead at Age 77

VOAVideo: Senator Edward Kennedy, Dead at Age 77

Senator Edward Kennedy was the last of the Kennedy sons born to Rose and Joseph Kennedy. He followed the trail blazed by his brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General and Senator Robert Kennedy, both assassinated in the 1960s. Ted Kennedy was known as the Lion of the Senate and was respected for his long-term commitment to health care for all Americans. On Tuesday night, at his home in Massachusetts, he lost his hard fought battle with brain cancer. VOA's Jim Bertel has more on the career of this Democratic icon.

News English Lessons.com: Michelle Obama now a powerful woman

Whitehouse.gov: First Lady Michelle Obama slide show

News English Lessons.com: Michelle Obama now a powerful woman

Michelle Obama looks like she will help change the world . . .Maybe she will be America’s first lady president.

• The 11-page classroom handout


• Listen to the MP3


• Play the online quiz


• Online gap fill


• The giant gap fill


• Online definition activity


• Do an online crossword


• Play hangman


• Vocabulary flash cards


• Word matching exercise

N-400 Part 6 Interview: Residence & Employment History

I am currently working on a series of podcasts focusing on each section of the N-400. Each podcast has an introduction, keywords, an N-400 interview, dictation, and conclusion.

Because several of my students will have their Citizenship Inteview this month, I am posting the audio and worksheet of the interview section only during the upcoming week.

LISTEN:

N-400 Part 6 Interview: Residence & Employment History mp3

READ:

N-400 Part 6 Interview: Residence & Employment History

N-400 Part 6: Employment History (only)

Thank you for your patience!

Study Materials for the English Portion of the New Naturalization Test

USCIS Study Materials for the English Portion of the New Naturalization Test

• New Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the English Reading Test (165KB PDF)
• New Naturalization Test: Reading Vocabulary Flash Cards (1235KB PDF)
• New Naturalization Test: Vocabulary List for the English Writing Test (167KB PDF)
• New Naturalization Test: Writing Vocabulary Flash Cards (1219KB PDF)

N-400 Section 4 and 5 Interview

Milpitas Adult School
Class Registration for Returning Students

• Aug 3 - 14 Monday - Thursday
• 9 am - 12 noon and 1 - 4 pm
• CLOSED FRIDAY

Class Registration and Testing for NEW Students

• Tuesday, August 18 1pm and 6pm.

I am currently working on a series of podcasts focusing on each section of the N-400. Each podcast has an introduction, keywords, an N-400 interview, dictation, and conclusion.

Because several of my students will have their Citizenship Inteview this month, I am posting the audio and worksheet of the interview section only during the upcoming week.

LISTEN:

N-400 Part 4 & 5 Interview: Address and Criminal Record Info mp3


READ:

N-400 Part 4 & 5 Interview: Address and Criminal Record Info pdf

N-400 Part 4 Address & Phone Number
1 What is your current home address?
2 Which county do you live in?
3 Do you have a separate mailing address?
4 What is your home telephone number?
5 What is your work telephone number?
6 Do you have an email address?

N-400 Part 5 Info for Criminal Records
7 What is your gender?
8 What is your race?
9 What is your hair color?
10 What is your eye color?

N-400 Section 2 and 3 Interview

Yang Bingliang is ready for his Citizenship Interview--GOOD LUCK!

I am currently working on a series of podcasts focusing on each section of the N-400. Each podcast has an introduction, keywords, an N-400 interview, dictation, and conclusion.

Because several of my students will have their Citizenship Inteview this month, I am posting the audio and worksheet of the interview section only during the upcoming week.

LISTEN:

N400 Part 2 & 3 Interview: Eligibility & Personal Info mp3


READ:

N400 Part 2 & 3 Interview: Eligibility & Personal Info pdf

N-400 Part 2: Info about Your Eligibility
1 Are you a legal permanent resident?
2 How many years have you been a permanent resident?
3 Are you married to a US Citizen?
4 How many years have you been married to a US citizen?

N-400 Part 3: Information about You
5 What is your Social SecurityNumber?
6 What is your date of birth?
7 What date did you become a permanent resident?
8 What is your country of birth?
9 What is your country of nationality?
10 What is your current marital status?

N-400 Section 1 Interview

Teacher Hongyan and Wen Guang-Lin

I am currently working on a series of podcasts focusing on each section of the N-400. Each podcast has an introduction, keywords, an N-400 interview, dictation, and conclusion.

Because several of my students will have their Citizenship Inteview this month, I am posting the audio and worksheet of the interview section only during the upcoming week.

LISTEN:

N-400 Section 1 Interview: Name mp3


READ:

N-400 Section 1 Interview: Name pdf

1. What is your full name?


2. What is your last name? Spell it.


3. What is your first name?


4. Do you have a middle name?


5. Do you have a maiden name?


6. Is the name on your Green Card the same as your current legal name?


7. Do you use any other names?

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:96-100

3c Betsy Ross single

Scott Catalogue USA: 1004

According to tradition, in June 1776 Betsy Ross met

with George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross in her home,

where she had a sewing business,

to discuss and design the nation's flag.

Ross soon thereafter stitched together the first "stars and stripes."

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

B: Symbols

96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? Question 96 Audio (282KB MP3)

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?* Question 97 Audio (309KB MP3)

98. What is the name of the national anthem? Question 98 Audio (170KB MP3)

C: Holidays

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?* Question 99 Audio (221KB MP3)

100. Name two national U.S. holidays. Question 100 Audio (927KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:88-95

The 5-cent Great River Road commemorative postage stamp was first placed on sale on October 21, 1966.

The stamp's image suggests the central portion of the United States from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico.

The massive double-pointed red arrow denotes the route of the road, which is a white ribbon on either side of the Mississippi River.

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

INTEGRATED CIVICS

A: Geography

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. Question 88 Audio (231KB MP3)

89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? Question 89 Audio (184KB MP3)

90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? Question 90 Audio (183KB MP3)

91. Name one U.S. territory. Question 91 Audio (349KB MP3)

92. Name one state that borders Canada. Question 92 Audio (625KB MP3)

93. Name one state that borders Mexico. Question 93 Audio (288KB MP3)

94. What is the capital of the United States?* Question 94 Audio (170KB MP3)

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?* Question 95 Audio (317KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:78-87

29c World War II Blocks of ten

Scott Catalogue USA: 2559

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.* Question 78 Audio (383KB MP3)

79. Who was President during World War I? Question 79 Audio (161KB MP3)

80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? Question 80 Audio (200KB MP3)

81. Who did the United States fight in World War II? Question 81 Audio (204KB MP3)

82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in? Question 82 Audio (221KB MP3)

83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? Question 83 Audio (204KB MP3)

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination? Question 84 Audio (173KB MP3)

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* Question 85 Audio (241KB MP3)

86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States? Question 86 Audio (231KB MP3)

87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. Question 87 Audio (1154KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:71-77

10c red brown Map of the Louisana Purchase single

Scott Catalogue USA: 327

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

B: 1800s

71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? Question 71 Audio (253KB MP3)

72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. Question 72 Audio (361KB MP3)

73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. Question 73 Audio (241KB MP3)

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War. Question 74 Audio (274KB MP3)

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?* Question 75 Audio (360KB MP3)

76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? Question 76 Audio (387KB MP3)

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do? Question 77 Audio (236KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:58-70

10c "We ask but for Peace..." single

Scott Catalog USA 1544

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

AMERICAN HISTORY

A: Colonial Period and Independence

58. What is one reason colonists came to America? Question 58 Audio (392KB MP3)

59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? Question 59 Audio (193KB MP3)

60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? Question 60 Audio (221KB MP3)

61. Why did the colonists fight the British? Question 61 Audio (357KB MP3)

62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Question 62 Audio (150KB MP3)

63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? Question 63 Audio (188KB MP3)

64. There were 13 original states. Name three. Question 64 Audio (660KB MP3)

65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention? Question 65 Audio (245KB MP3)

66. When was the Constitution written? Question 66 Audio (159KB MP3)

67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. Question 67 Audio (359KB MP3)

68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? Question 68 Audio (441KB MP3)

69. Who is the “Father of Our Country”? Question 69 Audio (139KB MP3)

70. Who was the first President?* Question 70 Audio (142KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:48-57

37c 1965 Voting Rights Act single
Scott Catalogue USA: 3937b

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

C: Rights and Responsibilities

48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. Question 48 Audio (469KB MP3)

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* Question 49 Audio (265KB MP3)

50. Name one right only for United States citizens. Question 50 Audio (243KB MP3)

51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? Question 51 Audio (438KB MP3)

52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? Question 52 Audio (236KB MP3)

53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? Question 53 Audio (579KB MP3)

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* Question 54 Audio (180KB MP3)

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? Question 55 Audio (682KB MP3)

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* Question 56 Audio (184KB MP3)

57. When must all men register for the Selective Service? Question 57 Audio (261KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:37-47

22c U.S. Constitution - "Do ordain" booklet single
Scott Catalogue USA: 2359

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

37. What does the judicial branch do? Question 37 Audio (350KB MP3)

38. What is the highest court in the United States? Question 38 Audio (160KB MP3)

39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? Question 39 Audio (143KB MP3)

40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? Question 40 Audio (233KB MP3)

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? Question 41 Audio (409KB MP3)

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? Question 42 Audio (486KB MP3)

43. Who is the Governor of your state now? Question 43 Audio (241KB MP3)

44. What is the capital of your state?* Question 44 Audio (376KB MP3)

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?* Question 45 Audio (191KB MP3)
46. What is the political party of the President now? Question 46 Audio (165KB MP3)

47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? Question 47 Audio (180KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:23-36

22c U.S. Constitution - "And secure" booklet single
Scott Catalogue USA: 2358

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

26. We elect a President for how many years? Question 26 Audio (153KB MP3)

27. In what month do we vote for President?* Question 27 Audio (158KB MP3)

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?* Question 28 Audio (222KB MP3)

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? Question 29 Audio (283KB MP3)

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? Question 30 Audio (204KB MP3)

31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? Question 31 Audio (233KB MP3)

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? Question 32 Audio (158KB MP3)

33. Who signs bills to become laws? Question 33 Audio (159KB MP3)

34. Who vetoes bills? Question 34 Audio (142KB MP3)

35. What does the President’s Cabinet do? Question 35 Audio (165KB MP3)

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions? Question 36 Audio (1041KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:13-25

22c U.S. Constitution - "Establish justice" booklet single
Scott Catalogue USA: 2357

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

B: System of Government

13. Name one branch or part of the government.* Question 13 Audio (358KB MP3)

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? Question 14 Audio (239KB MP3)

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch? Question 15 Audio (158KB MP3)

16. Who makes federal laws? Question 16 Audio (284KB MP3)

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* Question 17 Audio (188KB MP3)

18. How many U.S. Senators are there? Question 18 Audio (151KB MP3)

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? Question 19 Audio (162KB MP3)

20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?* Question 20 Audio (361KB MP3)

21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? Question 21 Audio (181KB MP3)

22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? Question 22 Audio (166KB MP3)

23. Name your U.S. Representative. Question 23 Audio (423KB MP3)

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? Question 24 Audio (158KB MP3)

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? Question 25 Audio (325KB MP3)

NEW MP3s from USCIS 100:01-12

22c U.S. Constitution - "We the people" booklet single
Scott Catalogue USA: 2356

New Naturalization Test: Civics (History and Government) Questions with MP3 Audio

The 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers for the new naturalization test are listed below.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

A: Principles of American Democracy

1. What is the supreme law of the land? Question 1 Audio (157KB MP3)

2. What does the Constitution do? Question 2 Audio (245KB MP3)

3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? Question 3 Audio (237KB MP3)

4. What is an amendment? Question 4 Audio (236KB MP3)

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? Question 5 Audio (182KB MP3)

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* Question 6 Audio (314KB MP3)

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have? Question 7 Audio (148KB MP3)

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? Question 8 Audio (363KB MP3)

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? Question 9 Audio (232KB MP3)

10. What is freedom of religion? Question 10 Audio (175KB MP3)

11. What is the economic system in the United States?* Question 11 Audio (215KB MP3)

12. What is the “rule of law”? Question 12 Audio (330KB MP3)