Question three

Immigration Sentences 

“From a list of 98 sample sentences used by Department of Homeland Security officials for testing applicants for American citizenship, the examiner gives two

sentences to the applicant, who must be able to read one aloud and write the other

down. Since 1997 immigration officials have been working on designing a new test but have been unable to settle political differences about the content. Alfonso Aguilar, head of the Office of Citizenship, has promised that a new test will be designed by 2007.” Harper's Magazine, June 2006. 

• All people want to be free.
• America is the land of freedom.
• Many people come to America for freedom.
• Many people have died for freedom.
• They came to live in the United States.
• He wanted to find a job.
• His wife worked in the house.
• She was happy with her house.
• She cooks for her friends.
• She needs to buy some new clothes.
• They buy many things at the store.
• They are very happy with their car.
• The children wanted a television.
• I go to work every day.
• It is a good job to start with.
• I count the cars as they pass by the office.
• You work very hard at your job.
• You drink too much coffee.
• I am too busy to talk today.
• Today I am going to the store.
• We are very smart to learn this.

Your question: Discuss the nature of the political differences that you think these sentences might have sparked.  Identify some of the issues involved; explain why they may have been controversial, and present your own stand on the controversy involved.