Compound words

Discuss the meaning of the following compound words.

long-standing soft-spoken outspoken outgoing

Practising sentence patterns

A. Passive voice In this chapter, many sentences use passive voice verbs. In passive voice sentences, the subject does not perform the action of the verb but receives that action: An important law was passed by Congress yesterday. On the other hand, in active voice sentences, the subject performs the action of the verb: Congress passed an important law yesterday.

Now write two sentences using the passive voice and the indicated words. Add any other words needed to make a good sentence.

1. American president / elected / the year 2000 (Use past tense.)

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2. Vice presidential candidate / usually chosen / presidential candidate (Use present tense.)

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B. Subjunctive Mood The subjunctive is used to write about something that might-or might not-happen if some other condition were true: If Abraham Lincoln were alive today, he probably wouldn't be elected president. Notice that were is used after if, even when the subject is first person singular: If I were old enough, I would vote in the next election.

Write two of your own statements of this type.

1. If I were president of the U.S., ______________________________

2. If I had a million dollars, __________________________________

Sharing ideas

A. Issues

Debate these issues in small groups. Then choose one and write about it.

1. Besides being at least 35 years old and American-born, should there be additional requirements for presidential candidates? If so, what should they be?

2. What are some advantages and disadvantages of a two-party system?

3. Would it be a good thing for Americans to elect a woman president?

B. On a personal note

Write about one of these topics.

1. Almost all American parents dream of their child growing up to be president.

Would you want to have that job? Would you want your child to have it? Explain why or why not.

2. In your opinion, what is good about the American system of choosing a president? What are some weaknesses of the system?

3. Write a letter to the current president of the United States. Give the president advice about how to handle a national or international problem. Address your letter to: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20500. (Add U.S.A. if you live outside the U.S.) Be sure to include your return address so your letter can be answered.

Citizenship: Its Obligations and Privileges

BEFORE YOU READ

Discuss

1. What are some things that any government is expected to do for its citizens?

2. What are citizens expected to do for their government?

3. What are some advantages of being a citizen of the country you live in?

Guess

Try to answer the questions. Then look for the answers in the reading.

1. What is the range of income tax rates in the U.S.? Check (Ö) one:

_____ 5% - 10.5% ____ 15% - 39.6% ____ 22% - 50%

2. Who is Uncle Sam? Check (Ö) one:

_____ a famous American president ____ a symbol of the U.S. government

Citizenship: Its Obligations and Privileges

Becoming a Citizen

Every person living in the United States, citizen or not, is entitled to most of the na­tion's basic freedoms and protections. However, there are many advantages to becom­ing citizens for people who intend to live in the U.S.A. permanently. Of these, the most important are the right to remain in the U.S. and the right to participate in its government by voting. Once aliens become naturalized citizens, their rights are the same as those of any native-born citizen, except that they cannot become president or vice president.

With few exceptions, anyone born in the U.S. is automatically a citizen. Also, a person born outside the U.S. to parents who are both American citizens is a citizen. An alien who wishes to become a citizen must fulfill certain legal requirements. In most cases, a person must wait five continuous years after becoming a permanent resident. At least half of those five years must be spent in the U.S., and no trips outside the U.S. for more than six continuous months are permitted. The applicant must also have lived at least three months in the state in which the application is made.

In order to show the potential for being a good, productive citizen, it is necessary that the applicant show an understanding of the English language and of the history, princi­ples, and form of government of the U.S. The applicant must also demonstrate good moral character and a belief in the principles of the U.S. Constitution, such as repre­sentative government and free speech. Once approved for citizenship, the applicant goes before a judge and swears loyalty to the United States of America. This swearing­-in ceremony is usually attended by a group of people who become citizens at the same time.

Check your comprehension.

Name five requirements a permanent resident must fulfill in order to become an American citizen.

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