Star Spangled Banner

Okay, all you Merricans with your national anthem, let's see how you do on these. Naturalization test questions

The full list with answers

I grew up with a national anthem that could be sung in either of two languages or a version that mixed both.

Keith Tanner wrote: Okay, all you Merricans with your national anthem, let's see how you do on these. Naturalization test questions The full list with answers: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20Citizenship/Citizenship%20Resource%20Center%20Site/Publications/100q.pdf I grew up with a national anthem that could be sung in either of two languages or a version that mixed both.

I find all those tests to be pretty easy, but I'm a history buff and somewhat of a political junkie.

And I think "O Canada" is a beautiful song.

I went through about 40 questions. I missed 1.

Keith Tanner wrote: Okay, all you Merricans with your national anthem, let's see how you do on these. Naturalization test questions

I may have gotten the easiest ones in the question pool, but if not, I think anyone with a pulse could pass:

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
What is the political party of the President now?
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

Keith Tanner wrote: I grew up with a national anthem that could be sung in either of two languages or a version that mixed both.

America's hat. (..but we do like your bacon and maple syrup.)

In reply to JoeyM:

Their bacon sucks!

regular bacon is where its at.

wvumtnbkr wrote: I went through about 40 questions. I missed 1.

I didn't do it at all, because he's not the boss of me!!!

I got in one little fight and my mom got scared...

Oh, wrong thread. My bads.

bravenrace wrote:

wvumtnbkr wrote: I went through about 40 questions. I missed 1.

I didn't do it at all, because he's not the boss of me!!!

I did too - I kept waiting for my score when the questions started to repeat.

I got one wrong but I did have to guess at a few (435 vs 441 in the house, etc).

Tom_Spangler wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Okay, all you Merricans with your national anthem, let's see how you do on these. Naturalization test questions The full list with answers: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20Citizenship/Citizenship%20Resource%20Center%20Site/Publications/100q.pdf I grew up with a national anthem that could be sung in either of two languages or a version that mixed both.

I find all those tests to be pretty easy, but I'm a history buff and somewhat of a political junkie. And I think "O Canada" is a beautiful song.

Easy with multiple choice. I imagine that for a non-native born having to take the test orally it can be a bit harder.

Have you every noticed (mostly while watching NASCAR races) that Canadian and Mexican singers perform the Star Spangled Banner better than most American singers?

wbjones wrote:

4cylndrfury wrote: I was a marching band geek for 9 years. That also meant most home basketball games and several dozen springtime sports games each year as well. I probably have played the Star Spangled Banner over a thousand times. I still get goosbumps when the final lines of the first verse are sang...when you hear the crowd start to roar as the song is drawing to a close, and when *...the home of the brave* is sang, and the crowd loses its mind...its pretty awesome.

sorta the same as trying to keep a dry eye at the playing of "Taps" at a funeral how the bugle player manages I don't know

When we buried my grandfather years ago, a survivor of Ohama Beach and the march on Paris, We managed to stay dry eyed up until Taps...

The one thing I can say about the Star Spangled Banner from a singer's point of view is that is one bitch of a tune to sing - especially when done solo. I'll use the SSB for vocal practice/training because it's hard to sing properly, but doesn't take long so you can sing it multiple times before tiring your voice. The range required is quite wide and it's VERY easy to get in over your head if you start out in the wrong key. I'm naturally a baritone and if I stay in that range I can pull it off with some practice. However, while I can sing in falsetto in many situations, doing a mid-line shift into falsetto is beyond my skill level and I have to be very careful when getting to the "rocket's red glare" line.

5th verse:

Walk the course, try to recall each slalom and turn,
Blame the car for your time despite the money you burn,
At the track you swear faithful brakes are quality made,
Though you curse and go off course as they quickly fade,
Now you think that a hillclimb is much more your speed,
In line, strapped in, waiting and wishing you'd peed,
Miata! 'Tis the answer to all of your queries,
O'er the land of the megasquirt and the home of the Ferry's!

(Ferry Porsche, I was rushed)

pinchvalve wrote: 5th verse: Walk the course, try to recall each slalom and turn, Blame the car for your time despite the money you burn, At the track you swear faithful brakes are quality made, Though you curse and go off course as they quickly fade, Now you think that a hillclimb is much more your speed, In line, strapped in, waiting and wishing you'd peed, Miata! 'Tis the answer to all of your queries, O'er the land of the megasquirt and the home of the Ferry's! (Ferry Porsche, I was rushed)

Fantastic.

You win 3 internets and a game of "Scramble with Friends".

JoeyM wrote: America's hat. (..but we do like your bacon and maple syrup.)

Canada's pants.

And it's not called "Canadian bacon" in Canada, it's called "back bacon". Weirdos.

Anyhow, about the test - it's not that tough for a lot of people. If you didn't grow up with the US system of government, it can take a bit of study. I have hit random Americans with some of the questions and it's surprising how poorly some of them do. I could probably pass it cold, but I'll still be boning up on some history. Things like the number of amendments to the Constitution, the number of butts in the House of Representatives, when the Constitution was written, etc.

Here's a question that arose from looking at the list. So, the US declared independence in 1776. But didn't get around to writing a constitution until 1787. Since the Constitution is basically the operating manual - what the heck was going on for 11 years?

Keith Tanner wrote: Here's a question that arose from looking at the list. So, the US declared independence in 1776. But didn't get around to writing a constitution until 1787. Since the Constitution is basically the operating manual - what the heck was going on for 11 years?

The Continental Congress ran things. Rather ineffectively. Hence the need for a constitution. There was also a minor war going on for most of that time, as well.

Keith Tanner wrote: Here's a question that arose from looking at the list. So, the US declared independence in 1776. But didn't get around to writing a constitution until 1787. Since the Constitution is basically the operating manual - what the heck was going on for 11 years?

Articles of Confederation.

wvumtnbkr wrote: I went through about 40 questions. I missed 1.

Same here. The only one I missed was the one about the causes of the Civil War; I clicked 'slavery' and the corect answer was 'all'.

Another little known fact about the Banner: Between 1883 and the groups final tour in 1913, the band of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show opened every show playing the Banner. Before 1883, it was just another patriotic song. By the turn of the 20th Century, many - possibly most - public events opened with it. You can make a strong argument that Buffalo Bill popularized the Banner enough to get it designated the national Anthem.

the lyrics circulated as a handbill, then were published in a Baltimore newspaper on Sept. 20, 1814. The song was designated the U.S. national anthem by executive order of President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Following a 20-year effort during which more than 40 bills were introduced to Congress, the order was finally confirmed by Congress in 1931.

http://clipnation.com/canadian-singer-completely-botches-star-spangled-banner/

Keith Tanner wrote:

JoeyM wrote: America's hat. (..but we do like your bacon and maple syrup.)

Canada's pants. And it's not called "Canadian bacon" in Canada, it's called "back bacon". Weirdos.

[I'd make a comment about the Canadian arm on the American space shuttle.....if we still had a space shuttle. ]

What do urine samples and Canadian beer have in common? A: The taste!

What's the difference between an American and a Canadian? A: A Canadian doesn't have a sense of humor and also can't spell it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOQvtdXRtKw

(drops microphone)

your turn, Canada...

What is the difference between a Canadian and a canoe? A: A canoe tips.