The immigration test consists of multiple sections, and adequate reading skills and a competent ability to understand the English language are required to successfully pass each section of the test. The civics portion of the test entails questions related to the American government system, significant events regarding American history, important people who influenced American history, and the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. To understand and respond to the questions in the civics section, applicants must be capable of effectively reading and writing in English. Additionally, the test contains reading, writing and oral sections, all of which further require applicants to demonstrate an ability to comprehend and accurately use the English language.
The immigration test also provides a reading test section that specifically assesses the applicant's ability to read in English. The reading test consists of three sentences, and applicants must read at least one of the three sentences out loud correctly to pass the section. Similar to the civics section, the sentences in the reading section usually involve content related to American history, American government and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. Applicants should be familiar with these concepts to most effectively prepare for the sentences they will encounter on the reading test.
Although the specific sentences are different for each reading test, there are certain words and concepts that all applicants should expect to see in the sentences. Words that all applicants should be familiar with include Abraham Lincoln, Bill of Rights, American Flag, congress, country, senators, White House, United States, Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Question words applicants might see on the test include how, what, when, where and why. Verbs that applicants should understand include can, do, is, was, lives, meet, vote, pay and want. Other words include of, in, on, the, we, colors, many, large, people and south.
In addition to the reading section, the test contains a writing section, and thus applicants should also practice writing in English to pass the test. The writing section involves three sentences, and applicants must write at least one of the sentences correctly to pass the section. The content of the sentences usually emphasizes American history and American government, and applicants should be familiar with the same concepts and words accompanied with the reading section to prepare for the sentences on the writing test.
Some additional words that applicants should understand for the writing test, however, include Washington, capital, citizens, free, president, Alaska, California, New York City, February, May, July, Labor Day and Independence Day. Other words and concepts that applicants should prepare to see on the writing section include can, elect, have, and, during, for, on, blue, white, dollar bill, north and taxes. Furthermore, the immigration test provides an oral section in which applicants must demonstrate their ability to speak English by responding to the questions of a test administrator.