Writing
Vocabulary
for the Naturalization Test
Each writing test administered to an applicant will contain no more than three (3) sentences. An
applicant must write one (1) out of three (3) sentences correctly in order to demonstrate an ability
to write in English. To help an applicant prepare, these word strips and copy sheets contain all the
words found in the English writing portion of the naturalization test. The content focuses on civics
and history topics.
M-1178 (09/17)
(rev. 08/08)
Writing Vocabulary for the Naturalization Test
PEOPLE CIVICS PLACES MONTHS HOLIDAYS VERBS
OTHER
(FUNCTION)
OTHER
(CONTENT)
Adams American Indians Alaska February Presidents’ Day can and blue
Lincoln capital California May Memorial Day come during dollar bill
Washington citizens Canada June Flag Day elect for fty/50
Civil War Delaware July Independence Day have/has here rst
Congress Mexico September Labor Day is/was/be in largest
Father of Our Country New York City October Columbus Day lives/lived of most
ag United States November Thanksgiving meets on north
free Washington pay the one
freedom of speech Washington, D.C. vote to one hundred/100
President want we people
right red
Senators second
state/states south
White House taxes
white
Writing Vocabulary Word Strips for the Naturalization Test
The USCIS Writing Vocabulary Word Strips help immigrants study for the English writing portion
of the naturalization test. These word strips contain all the words in the writing portion of the
test. The content focuses on civics and history topics. These strips are designed for use in the
classroom as an instructional tool for citizenship preparation or as a resource for self-study. They
can be used to make declarative sentences that the applicant might be asked to write during the
English writing portion of the test.
Important note: While the writing and reading vocabulary lists have some shared vocabulary on
civics and history, the lists are not the same. When creating your sentences, keep the lists and
activities separate to avoid confusing your students.
How to Use the Writing Word Strips
Preparing the Word Strips:
1. Examine the Writing Vocabulary Word List and create as many declarative sentences (or
statements) as you can, using only the words on the list.
2. For the classroom activity, choose 4 or 5 of your sentences and separate out the Writing
Vocabulary Word Strips (including punctuation) needed to form those sentences. This is the
set of strips that you will give to each group of students.
3. Prepare as many sets of strips as there are groups of students in your class. Plan on
groups of 4 to 5 students.
4. Example: For a class of twenty students, prepare 4 identical sets of word strips to distribute
to those groups.
Getting Started in Class:
1. Have the students form small groups.
2. Give each group 1 set of word strips for the sentences you created.
3. Have students place the strips randomly face up on the table.
4. Dictate one of your sentences aloud to the class as each group works together to form that
sentence from the strips on the table.
5. Encourage students to ask for repetition if needed. Repeat as much as needed in a natural
speaking voice at normal speed.
6. Circulate around the room to check each group’s sentence.
7. After checking their work, write the sentence on the board for the students to copy, or ask a
student to write it.
Variation for Higher Level Students:
1. To prepare for this activity, choose 7 or 8 sentences on your list. Print out your list of
sentences and cut the sentences into strips.
2. Have the students form small groups and pick one person to be the “teacher” or leader.
3. Distribute the sentence strips to the designated “teacher” in each group.
4. Have the “teacher” choose a sentence and read it aloud while the other students form the
sentence from the word strips.
5. Add extra word strips that are not in the sentences to make the activity more challenging.
6. Have the “teacher” check the group’s sentence for accuracy.
7. Give the students time to copy all the sentences from the board at the end of the activity.
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
Father of Our Country
freedom of speech
Washington, D.C.
Independence Day
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
Adams Lincoln
Washingtonflag
right
Civil War
Congress
free
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
President
Senators
White Housecome
state
has
Mexico
100
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
California
Canada
Delaware
have
Alaska
May
June
has
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
New York City
American Indians
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
the
for
in
on
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
July
lived
100
September
October
November
Flag Day
free
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
Labor Day
Thanksgivingmeets
want
elect
vote one hundred
Washington
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
United States
February
lives
can
can
and
Washington
President
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
pay
here
blue
fifty
first
during
right
north
in
of
on
to
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
largest
second
people south
one
taxes
white
to
is
50
and
red
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
fifty
have
want
statehere
during first
be
the
for
was
of
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
second capital
citizens
has
for
in
on
and
one
of
most
states
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
Columbus Day
one hundred
dollar bill
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
WRITING
isthe is
we
to
was
we be
on
50 we
.. .
.
. . . .
.
