In Today's Tribune
48 Days 'til the Piknik
Saturday, August 24th, 2002.
Don't forget
the yard sale!
Tony and Robin's House
Saturday July 13th at 7:00 am.
Please remember however, you gotta take back what
you don't sell. So come on down and make some bucks.
Quiz
on Citizenship!
U.S. Citizenship Test: Could You Pass?
The Wooden Bowl
-submitted by
Mixedflavasa
Something to
think about
Quiz
on Citizenship!
If you were born a U.S. citizen, you didn't have to do anything to become a citizen--except be born. But each year, thousands of people have to take a test to gain citizenship. This quiz includes actual questions asked on the exam given by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
1. What do the stripes on the flag mean?
a) They represent the 13 original colonies
b) They represent each of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence
c) They represent the battles fought for United States independence
2. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?
a) 23
b) 19
c) 27
3. What are the three branches of our government?
a) Legislative, executive, and judicial
b) Legislative, parliamentary, judicial
c) Executive, legislative, parliamentary
4. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
a) It ordered that Pilgrims be freed from British oppression
b) It ordered that slaves in rebel territory be freed
c) It allowed citizens of the United States to claim land
5. Who becomes president of the United States if the president and the vice president should die?
a) The secretary of state
b) The attorney general
c) The Speaker of the House of Representatives
6. Which countries were our principal allies during World War II?
a) United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Italy, France
b) United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, China, France
c) United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, France
7. What is the 49th state of the Union (United States)?
a) Alaska
b) Hawaii
c) New Mexico
8. How many Supreme Court justices are there?
a) 9
b) 12
c) 13
9. What is the national anthem of the United States?
a) "America the Beautiful"
b) "This Land is Your Land"
c) "The Star-Spangled Banner"
10. In what year was the Constitution written?
a) 1776
b) 1771
c) 1787
11. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?
a) Constitution
b) Mayflower
c) Titanic
Answers below
The Wooden Bowl
-submitted by
Mixedflavas
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and
four-year old grandson. The old man's hands
trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly
grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating
difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the
mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. I've had
enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating,
and food on the floor.
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family
enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or
two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction,
sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still,
the only words the couple had for him were sharp
admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening
before supper, the father noticed his son playing with
wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly,
"What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy
responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and
Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and
went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were
speechless. Then tears started to stream down their
cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back
to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal
with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to
care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth
soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what
happens how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it
will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by
the way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost
luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with
your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from
your life.
I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing
as making a "life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a
catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to
throw something back.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude
you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the
needs of others, your work and doing the very best you
can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an
open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to
be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and
touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm
hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
Answers to Quiz
1. The correct answer: A
They represent the 13 original colonies. The stripes on the American flag represent the 13 original colonies.
2. The correct answer: C 27
Over the years, there have been 27 amendments to the Constitution--the most recent one was ratified on May 2, 1992.
3.
The correct answer: A Legislative, executive, and judicial
The three branches of the United States government are the legislative, executive, and judicial.
4. The correct answer: B
It ordered that slaves in rebel territory be freed.
The Emancipation Proclamation ordered that all slaves in rebel territory be freed. It was issued on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln.
5. The correct answer: C
The Speaker of the House of Representatives
The Speaker of the House of Representatives becomes president of the United States if both the president and vice president die. During the country's history, the line of succession has changed several times.
6.
The correct answer: C
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, France
The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China, and France were allies of the United States during World War II.
7.
The correct answer: A Alaska
Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the Union on June 30, 1958. You should visit Alaska; it is a beautiful place.
8.
The correct answer: A 9
There are nine Supreme Court justices. There are eight associate justices and one chief justice. Currently William Rehnquist holds the office of chief justice of the United States.
9.
The correct answer: C "The Star-Spangled Banner"
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. Francis Scott Key wrote the text in 1814, and it later became popular as a song, sung to the tune of a British drinking song. Congress approved it as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.
10.
The correct answer: C 1787
The Constitution was written in 1787 and ratified in 1788.
11.
The correct answer: B Mayflower
The Pilgrims came to America aboard the Mayflower. A good way to remember this one is the old joke: If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring? The Pilgrims.
