Reading and Writing tests

[krishna12 0]

Will IO ask us to read & write the words that were written in the book(English test & Writing portion) or they can ask us anything(words that are outside of it)

[JimmyHou 613]

Will IO ask us to read & write the words that were written in the book(English test & Writing portion) or they can ask us anything(words that are outside of it)

I'm sorry, I can't answer your question directly; I don't know if the IOs limit their test sentences to the words in the booklet, but they are supposed to limit them to a set of "standard sentences" (see below). If you read interview experiences, you'll see that many of the same sentences keep popping up again and again all over the country. The ones I've seen repeatedly are:

-We pay taxes in April

-Columbus Day is in October

-The President lives in the White House

-Congress makes the laws

I'm sure there are others, but I've read interview experiences where these kept coming up.

Also, please note that this only constitutes the reading and writing portion of the English test. An applicant's ability to speak is determined by his or her answers during the interview.

Of course, there is also the civics test, but that's a different topic.

The following is the relevant section of the USCIS Policy Manual (this is what the IO is supposed to follow):

http://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume12-PartE-Chapter2.html

D. English Portion of the Test

A naturalization applicant must only demonstrate an ability to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage.^[5] Ordinary usage means comprehensible and pertinent communication through simple vocabulary and grammar, which may include noticeable errors in pronouncing, constructing, spelling, and understanding completely certain words, phrases, and sentences.

An applicant may ask for words to be repeated or rephrased and may make some errors in pronunciation, spelling, and grammar and still meet the English requirement for naturalization. An officer should repeat and rephrase questions until the officer is satisfied that the applicant either fully understands the question or is unable to understand English.^[6]

1. Speaking Test

An officer determines an applicant’s ability to speak and understand English based on the applicant’s ability to respond to questions normally asked in the course of the naturalization examination. The officer’s questions relate to eligibility and include questions provided in the naturalization application.^[7] The officer should repeat and rephrase questions during the naturalization examination until the officer is satisfied that the applicant either understands the questions or does not understand English.

An applicant who does not qualify for a waiver of the English requirement must be able to communicate in English about his or her application and eligibility for naturalization. An applicant does not need to understand every word or phrase on the application.

Passing the Speaking Test

If the applicant generally understands and responds meaningfully to questions relevant to his or her naturalization eligibility, then he or she has sufficiently demonstrated the ability to speak English.

Failing the Speaking Test

An applicant fails the speaking test when he or she does not understand sufficient English to be placed under oath or to answer the eligibility questions on his or her naturalization application.

The officer must still administer all other parts of the naturalization test, including the portions on reading, writing, and civics.

An officer cannot offer or accept a withdrawal of a naturalization application from an applicant who does not speak English unless the applicant has an interpreter present who is able to clearly understand the consequences of withdrawing the application.^[8]

2. Reading Test

To sufficiently demonstrate the ability to read in English, applicants must read one sentence out of three sentences. The reading test is administered by the officer using standardized reading test forms. Once the applicant reads one of the three sentences correctly, the officer stops the reading test.

Passing the Reading Test

An applicant passes the reading test if the applicant reads one of the three sentences without extended pauses in a manner that the applicant is able to convey the meaning of the sentence and the officer is able to understand the sentence. In general, the applicant must read all content words but may omit short words or make pronunciation or intonation errors that do not interfere with the meaning.

Failing the Reading Test

An applicant fails the reading test if he or she does not successfully read at least one of the three sentences. An applicant fails to read a sentence successfully when he or she:

• Omits a content word or substitutes another word for a content word;

• Pauses for extended periods of time while reading the sentence; or

• Makes pronunciation or intonation errors to the extent that the applicant is not able to convey the meaning of the sentence and the officer is not able to understand the sentence.

3. Writing Test

To sufficiently demonstrate the ability to write in English, the applicant must write one sentence out of three sentences in a manner that the officer understands. The officer dictates the sentence to the applicant using standardized writing test forms. An applicant must not abbreviate any of the words. Once the applicant writes one of the three sentences in a manner that the officer understands, the officer stops the writing test.

An applicant does not fail the writing test because of spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors, unless the errors interfere with the meaning of the sentence and the officer is unable to understand the sentence.

Passing the Writing Test

The applicant passes the writing test if the applicant is able to convey the meaning of one of the three sentences to the officer. The applicant’s writing sample may have the following:

• Some grammatical, spelling, or capitalization errors;

• Omitted short words that do not interfere with meaning or

• Numbers spelled out or written as digits.

Failing the Writing Test

An applicant fails the writing test if he or she makes errors to a degree that the applicant does not convey the meaning of the sentence and the officer is not able to understand the sentence.

An applicant fails the writing test if he or she writes the following:

• A different sentence or words;

• An abbreviation for a dictated word;^[9]

• Nothing or only one or two isolated words; or

• A sentence that is completely illegible.

[krishna12 0]

Thank you..The link was really helpful.