| HOW
TO SUCCEED IN SCIENCE?
(extracted from Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
1991; 34:213-218 - Posted by t.nguyen@garvan.unsw.edu.au (Tuan V Nguyen))
It seems that many of our scientists have not
received basic training on how to succeed in science - for example, obtaining
grants, receiving peer recognition, having a biography that is longer than
any particular publication listed in it etc. In order to correct this deficiency,
the following guidelines are presented. Of course, there will always be
the occasional black sheep who decides to embark on an entirely original
course of work or chooses to forgo the rewards of being recognised as a
successful scientist, in which case these guidelines do not apply. But,
attention to the principles set forth below should provide a solid framework
for most aspiring scientists to build on.
1. RELAX! WE ARE ONLY BETWEEN PARADIGM AND SHIFTS
ANYHOW
Much of the stress and anxiety that have traditionally
been associated with the conduct of science are now relieved by the tremendous
insight provided by Thomas Kuhn. Since the vast majority of scientists
are currently doing "normal" science, akin to treading theoretical
water, and true advances must await the next shift in paradigms, most of
us can relax as we realise that our work is unlikely to have any lasting
influence. Of course, there may be some who seek to contribute to, or actually
precipitate, a shift in paradigms, and it is unlikely that they can be
stopped, but the rest of us should recognised that the clarification of
an existing paradigm is necessary for subsequent scientific revolutions.
Just imagine how difficult science would be if every investigator made
some fundamental contribution that involved a shift in paradigm or forced
us to analyse our basic assumptions about the area in which we work.
2. BECOME FAMOUS
Once you have the appropriate relaxed attitude
about the importance of your own work (see 1), it becomes much easier to
focus on the business of being a scientist. In this regard, being famous
ranks second only to being relaxed. Unfortunately, many scientists have
overlooked the importance of being famous in order to succeed, especially
in the areas of obtaining grants and getting to travel (see 5 below). And
becoming famous is really much less difficult than most realise. There
are several options. One of the quickest and surest is to work with someone
who is already famous. This will guarantee a certain amount of secondary
fame that can be used as a foundation for establishing your own fame. Another
method is to organise a symposium on a "hot" topic and invite
the most famous people in the field, including the famous person with whom
you work, to participate. Then list yourself on the same program. This
technique has had quire marvellous results for countless number of now-famous
scientists. Another effective option is to publish a paper or abstract
every week in your selected area (see 3). This method takes more effort,
but with attention to the following guideline the work can be minimised
and the results guaranteed to make you a recognised expert in any particular
field.
3. PUBLISH OFTEN (PREFERABLY ABSTRACTS)
It is common knowledge that modern scientist do
not have time to read the rapidly growing literature in their field and,
with the realisation that most research will have no lasting effect (see
1), it is clear that to do so would be a waste of time. Therefore, take
advantage of the fact that most of your peers are going ti be influenced
by your work primarily through name recognition. The same principle that
advertising agencies use, namely, repeated exposure, is vital to success
in science as well. The more times your name is seen in print, the more
influence you will have and the more famous you will be (see 2). Of course,
the choice of medium is critical; ideally, you should publish as often
as possible in newspapers and popular magazines, but scientific journals
can have their place as well. You should try to average one page or abstract
every week, and your name should appear last. The more co-authors you have,
the better, because everyone knows that the last author is really the one
who counts, and it shows that you must already be famous to have so many
other scientists working with you. Some will argue that each publication
should contain new information, but, again, this view does not take into
account the lessons learned from Madison Avenue. In fact, the more often
you say the same thing, the more likely your chances of being remembered.
Once the same set of data have been published several times, with no more
slight variations, they begin to take on greater credibility, both in the
minds of your colleagues and in your own mind. In addition, the particular
area that you work in, even if it had formerly been considered obscure
and uninteresting, take on increasing importance each time it appears in
print.
Of course, the format can play a vital role in
your ultimate success. The many advantages derived from publishing your
work is abstract form, for example, are often overlooked. First, it provides
the opportunity to travel (see 5). Second, it is rarely reviewed (and we
all have horror stories to tell about critical reviews we have received
on even our best papers). Third, and most important, it provides a published
document that can either be cited in establishing precedence for an observation,
if it turns out to be correct or important (or both!), or can just as easily
be left uncited if ultimately found to be in error.
In some cases, particularly once you have gained
some experiences, it is possible to publish several abstract at one time,
each dealing with a slight variation on the same theme. Some scientific
societies permit you to submit only one abstract with yourself listed as
first author. But this restriction is easily overcome. Most scientists,
for example, are already aware of potential co-authors from the ranks of
students and associates, but often overlooked are administrators and members
of the custodial staff, some of whom would be happy to see their names
in print. With a little bit of planning you can have several abstracts
published simultaneously, one with your name first and the rest with your
name last listed . Legend has it that one scientist was able to fill two
entire sessions at a single meeting with abstracts solely from his laboratory.
4. PUBLISH ONLY WHAT CAN NOT BE REFUTED (AT LEAST
IN YOUR LIFETIME)
Many young scientists sadly misinterpret this
principle to mean that one should publish careful, well-thought-out papers.
On the contrary, much time is and effort can be saved by publishing results
without any attention to their significance or relevance at all. Odds are,
no one is going to read the paper anyway (see 3), so do not waste your
valuable time analysing the results, More important, as long as you restrict
your discussion to what you saw, with enough methodological differences
from previous work so that any discrepancies can be explained if the need
arises, you will never be found in error, particularly if you refrain from
discussing the potential significance of the results. The simplest way
to avoid any embarrassment is to publish new and improved techniques. The
publication of new methods rarely leads you into strong theoretical disputes
with your colleagues but still permits lively discussions about whether
the pH was optimal. Even better, develop a desirable reagent that your
colleagues can use and then distribute it to them with the modest request
that you be included as an author on any paper that mentions the reagent.
You will be amazed at how quickly your biography lengthens and your fame
correspondingly increases. If some reason you feel compelled to speculate
on your data in print, be sure to limit your speculation to ideas that
can not be tested in your lifetime, if at all.
5. PRESENT YOUR WORK AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY
One of the many benefits of doing science is the
opportunity to travel. Of course, the more famous you are, the more opportunities
you will have to travel. Conversely, the more times you are seen in public,
the more famous you will become. In addition, most conferences provide
the opportunity to publish at least one abstract (see 3). When presenting
your work, be sure to use attractive slides that are not cluttered with
detail. One helpful hint: leave off any statistical information, especially
for graphical data, since it often detracts from the main point of the
slide. Contrary to the situation for your published work, feel free to
speculate during your presentation. In fact, don't be constrained by the
data. Remember that your effect will be much greater if you make sweeping
statements and generalisations unrestrained by the facts or by what you
have published in the abstract. If anyone seriously questions a statement
you have made or presents contradictory results, you can avoid any embarrassment
for yourself by pointing out that he or she did not use the optimal pH.
Presentations are necessary, but not sufficient,
for success in science. When you have been invited to participate at a
meeting, be sure to keep track of who invited you so that you will be able
to invite the same individuals to present at the next conference you organise.
Eventually, you will find that there enough of you to invite each other
to several conferences during the year, and, if you are really successful,
you may even decide to establish own society consisting of only the most
successful scientists (mainly those who are invited to several conferences
during the year).
6. SUBMIT A GRANT PROPOSAL ONLY ON WORK YOU HAVE
ALREADY DONE
This would hardly seem to require stating, but
there are still a number of scientists, especially unseasoned rookies,
who actually propose experiments that have not yet been conducted. Most
reviewers of grant applications have finally weeded out the ones who continually
propose novel work, but there are still some who do not quite understand
that the surest bet is on a horse that has already won. Naturally, you
need to be a little careful in timing the publication of the proposed work
so that it does not actually appear in print before your grant is reviewed
(except, of course, in multiple abstract form). The rookie scientist may
encounter the dilemma of not having been able to do the experiments before
obtaining grant support. The most common solution is to propose work similar
to what you have already done working with someone who is famous. If that
option is not available, then you may be forced to propose work that is
original. If so, be sure that the research is only a slight variation of
work that someone else has already done. This assures the reviewers that
your particular experiments fall within the existing paradigm. A good example
would be finding the optimal pH at which to run a new and improved technique.
7. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME TEACHING
Remember that your goal is to succeed in science.
Although a certain amount of teaching can be beneficial, in that it gives
you some exposure to students who may decide to work for you (and provide
potential authors for your many abstracts), it is terribly time- consuming
to make more than cameo appearances. There will be some pressure by other
faculty and your chairman to contribute to the teaching program, especially
before you receive tenure, but this pressure can be relieved to some extent
by the way in which you teach. For example, always present your material
in a fashion that obscures any relevance to matters that concern the students.
In medical teaching this has become common practice. Another effective
approach is to provide details of the methods that you use in the laboratory,
especially emphasising the importance of optimal pH. Usually students are
so overwhelmed by the volume of information that they will have difficulty
asking intelligent questions. The advantage of this is obvious. Eventually,
you will find less teaching is required of you, and you will have more
time to spend writing abstracts and going to conferences.
8. GO COMMERCIAL
Fame is nice but it is so much enjoyable when
accompanied by wealth. The traditional role of scientist has not always
been as lucrative as other careers. This is changing. One of the very exciting
options in science is to identify potential commercial applications of
the work you do and market them. Numerous scientists are discovering the
monetary advantages of forming their own companies with initial research
and development funds provided by the federal government through grants
and contracts. The beauty of this system is that there is very little risk.
If the commercial application does not generate profit, you can always
apply for another grant to keep going. On the other hand, if you are able
to capitalise on your scientific successes and establish a profitable company,
you can use your academic affiliations, and your positions on editorial
review boards and study sections, to keep abreast of the hottest developments
in the field to feed into your company. The comparative advantage this
gives you should be obvious.
SUMMARY
Adherence to these principles will not guarantee
success, but the testimony of many famous scientists supports the hypothesis
that these guidelines can significantly (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon unpaired
X-test run at pH 5.5) increase your chances of achieving recognition, acquiring
wealth, and ultimately being known as a successful scientist. At the very
least, they should prevent you from falling too far outside the boundaries
of "normal" science where you could easily be branded for life
as a troublemaker or heretic.
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I US
CITIZENSHIP TEST
[vacets-gen] - Mesg from "Thanh-Quoc Tran"
<trantq@nortel.ca>
Ca'c ba.n me^'n,
In order to help our poor Vietnamese to prepare
for their US Citizenship Exam, I have attempted to translate it into Vietnamese
with simple Vietnamese-based phonetic symbols. Please distribute this document
to whoever you think need it. I'll appreciate your help very much! I also
have copy of this document in MS Word 6.0 with VPS time font. If you need
this file or the hard copy, please let me know.
Tha^n a'i, Tha.nh Email: trantq@nt.com or thanhqtran@juno.com
WP: (408) 565-5117 HP: (408) 258-5495 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Study Questions for the INS English/Civics Exam
[x-to+'-ddi ku-e't-x-cha^n-z fo ddo+` ai-en-e't-x in-go+`-li-s / xi'-vi'c
i'c-zem] Ca^u Ho?i Luye^.n Thi Anh Va(n / Ha`nh Cha'nh cu?a So+? Di Tru'
Translator: Thanh Q. Tran - Version: 1.0 - Date:
6 Jan 97. Ngu+o+`i di.ch: Tra^`n Q. Tha.nh - Ba?n: 1.0 - Nga`y: 6 tha'ng
1 na(m 97.
*** Note: phonetic symbols "s" and "x"
are pronounced as with the Southerners. Phonetic symbols are enclosed in
the square brackets. *** Xin chu' y': ca'c da^'u phie^n a^m "s"
va` "x" ddu+o+.c du`ng theo lo^'i pha't a^m cu?a ngu+o+`i mie^`n
Nam. Phie^n a^m ddu+o+.c dde^? trong ngoa(.c vuo^ng [ ].
1. What are the colors of our flag? (Red, white
and blue) [quo't a ddo+` co+'-lo+ o-v ao fo+`-la('c] [re't, quai-t en bo+`-lu]
1. Ca'c ma`u cu?a co+` chu'ng ta la` gi` ? (DDo?, tra('ng va` xanh du+o+ng)
2. How many stars are there on our flag? (50)
[hao me'-ni x-ta-z a dde on ao fo+`-la('c] 2. Co' bao nhie^u ngo^i sao
tre^n co+` chu'ng ta ? (50)
3. What color are the stars on our flag? (White)
[quo't co+'-lo+ a ddo+` x-ta-z on ao fo+`-la('c] [quai-t] 3. Ca'c ngo^i
sao tre^n co+` chu'ng ta co' ma`u gi` ? (Tra('ng)
4. What do the stars on the flag mean? (One for
each state in the Union) [quo't ddu ddo+` x-ta-z on ddo+` fo+`-la('c min]
[quon fo i'ch x-te^'t in ddo+` du'-ni-o+n] 4. Ca'c ngo^i sao tre^n co+`
chu'ng ta co' nghi~a gi` ? (Mo^.t sao cho mo^~i tie^?u bang trong Lie^n
Bang)
5. How many stripes are there on the flag? (13)
[hao me'-ni x-trai-p a dde on ddo+` fo+`-la('c] 5. Co' bao nhie^u so.c
tre^n la' co+` ? (13)
6. What color are the stripes? (Red) [quo't co+'-lo+
a ddo+` x-trai-px] [re't] 6. Ca'c so.c co' ma`u gi` ? (DDo?)
7. What do the stripes on the flag mean? (They
represent the original 13 states) [quo't ddu ddo+` x-trai-px on ddo+` fo+`-la('c
min] [dde^-i re'-po+`-ri-zen ddo+` o-ri'-ji-no^` tho+-thi'n x-te^'t-x]
7. Ca'c so.c co' nghi~a gi` ? (Chu'ng tu+o+.ng tru+ng cho 13 tie^?u bang
dda^`u tie^n)
8. How many states are there in the Union? (50)
[hao me'ni x-te^'t-x a dde in ddo+` du'-ni-o+n] 8. Co' bao nhie^u tie^?u
bang trong Lie^n Bang ? (50)
9. What is the 4th of July? (Independence Day)
[quo't i-z ddo+` fo-tho+ o-v ju-la'i] [i'n-ddi-pe'n-ddo+n-x dde^-i] 9.
Nga`y 4 tha'ng 7 la` gi` ? (Nga`y le^~ DDo^.c La^.p)
10. What is the date of Independence Day? (July
4th) [quo't i-z ddo+` dde^'t o-v i'n-ddi-pe'n-ddo+n-x dde^-i] [ju-la'i
fo-tho+] 10. Nga`y le^~ DDo^.c La^.p la` nga`y na`o ? (4 tha'ng ba?y)
11. Independence from whom? (England) [i'n-ddi-pe'n-ddo+n-x
fo+`-ro`m hum] [i'nh-go+`-la^n] 11. DDo^.c La^.p tu+` ai ? (Anh Quo^'c)
12. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary
War? (England) [quo't kha^n-tri ddi't qui fai-t ddiu-rinh ddo+` re'-vo^-li'u-sa^n-ne-ri
quo] [i'nh-go+`-la^n] 12. Chu'ng ta dda~ chie^'n dda^'u vo+'i xu+' na`o
trong Chie^'n Tranh Ca'ch Ma.ng ? (Anh Quo^'c)
13. Who was the first President of the United
States? (George Washington) [hu quo-z ddo+` fo+'t-x po+`-re'-zi-dda^n o-v
ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x] [jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n] 13. Ai la` To^?ng Tho^'ng
dda^`u tie^n cu?a nu+o+'c My~ ? (George Washington [jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n])
14. Who elects the President of the United States?
(The electoral college) [hu i-le'c ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t
x-te^'t-x] [ddo+` i-le'c-to-ro^` co'-li-j] 14. Ai ba^`u To^?ng Tho^'ng
nu+o+'c My~ ? (Cu+? tri ddoa`n)
15. Who becomes President of the United States
if the President should die? (Vice-President) [hu bi-kha^m-z po+`-re'-zi-dda^n
o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x i'p ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n su't ddai]
15. Ai tro+? tha`nh To^?ng Tho^'ng nu+o+'c My~ ne^'u To^?ng Tho^'ng che^'t
? (Pho' To^?ng Tho^'ng)
16. For how long do we elect the President? (Four
years) [fo hao long ddu qui i-le'c ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n] [fo dia-z]
16. Chu'ng ta ba^`u cu+? To^?ng Tho^'ng nhie^.m ky` bao la^u ?
17. What is the Constitution? (The supreme law
of the land) [quo't i-z ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n] [ddo+` siu-po+`-rim lo
o-v ddo+` len] 17. Hie^'n Pha'p la` gi` ? (Lua^.t to^'i cao cu?a dda^'t
nu+o+'c)
18. Can the Constitution be changed? (Yes) [Khen
ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n bi chen-j] [de't-x] 18. Hie^'n Pha'p co' the^?
ddu+o+.c thay ddo^?i kho^ng ? (Co')
19. What do we call a change to the Constitution?
(Amendments) [quo't ddu qui kho a chen-j tu ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n] [o+-me'n-ma^n-z]
19. Chu'ng ta go.i su+. thay ddo^?i Hie^'n Pha'p la` gi` ? (Ca'c Tu Chi'nh)
20. How many changes or amendments are there to
the Constitution? (27) [hao me'-ni chen-j o o+-me'n-ma^n-z a dde tu ddo+`
khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n] 20. Co' bao nhie^u thay ddo^?i hay tu chi'nh cho Hie^'n
Pha'p ? (27)
21. How many branches are there in our government?
(3) [hao me'-ni bo+`-ren-chi-z a dde in ao go+-vo+n-ma^`n] [tri] 21. Co'
bao nhie^u nga`nh trong chi'nh quye^`n cu?a chu'ng ta ? (3)
22. What are the three branches of our government?
(Legislative, Executive and Judiciary) [quo't a ddo+` tri bo+`-ren-chi-z
o-v ao go+-vo+n-ma^`n] [le-ji't-x-lo+-tiu i'c-ze'-kiu-tiu en ju-ddi'-si-e-ri]
22. Ba nga`nh cu?a chi'nh quye^`n la` gi` ? (La^.p pha'p, Ha`nh pha'p va`
Tu+ pha'p)
23. What is the legislative branch of our government?
(Congress) [quo't i-z ddo+` le-ji't-x-lo+-tiu bo+`-ren-cho+ o-v ao go+-vo+n-ma^`n]
[co^ng-go+`-re't-x] 23. Nga`nh La^.p pha'p cu?a chi'nh quye^`n la` gi`
? (Quo^'c Ho^.i)
24. Who makes laws in the United States? (Congress)
[hu me^'t-co+-x lo-z in ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x] [co^ng-go+`-re't-x]
24. Ai la`m lua^.t o+? nu+o+'c My~ ? (Quo^'c Ho^.i)
25. What is Congress? (The Senate and the House
of Representatives) [quo't i-z co^ng-go+`-re't-x] [ddo+` xe'-ne^'t en ddo+`
hao-x o-v re-po+`-ri-ze'n-to+-tiu] 25. Quo^'c Ho^.i la` gi` ? (Thu+o+.ng
Nghi. Vie^.n va` Ha. Nghi. Vie^.n)
26. What are the duties of Congress? (To make
laws) [quo't a ddo+` ddiu-ti-z o-v co^ng-go+`-re't-x] [tu me^'t-co+ lo]
26. Ca'c nhie^.m vu. cu?a Quo^'c Ho^.i la` gi` (La`m ca'c lua^.t)
27. Who elects Congress? (The people) [hu i-le'c-x
co^ng-go+`-re't-x] [ddo+` pi'-po^`] 27. Ai ba^`u ra Quo^'c Ho^.i ? (Da^n
chu'ng)
28. How many senators are there in Congress? (100)
[hao me'-ni xe'-no+-to+-z a dde in co^ng-go+`-re't-x] [quon ha^n-ddo+-ri.t]
28. Co' bao nhie^u thu+o+.ng nghi. si~ trong Quo^'c Ho^.i ? (100)
29. For how long do we elect each senator? (6
years) [fo hao long ddu qui i-le'c i'ch xe'-no+-to+] [xi't-x dia-z] 29.
Chu'ng ta ba^`u mo^~i thu+o+.ng nghi. si~ nhie^.m ky` bao la^u ?
30. How many representatives are there in Congress?
(435) [[hao me'-ni re-pri-ze'n-to+-tiu a dde in co^ng-go+`-re't-x] [fo
ha^n-ddo+-ri.t en tho+'-thi` fai-v] 30. Co' bao nhie^u ha. nghi. si~ trong
Quo^'c Ho^.i ? (435)
31. For how long do we elect the representatives?
(2 years) [fo hao long ddu qui i-le'c ddo+` re-po+`-ri-ze'n-to+-tiu] [tu
dia-z] 31. Chu'ng ta ba^`u ca'c ha. nghi. si~ nhie^.m ky` bao la^u ?
32. What is the executive branch of our government?
(The President, Vice-President and the Cabinet) [quo't i-z ddo+` i'c-ze'-kiu-tiu
bo+`-ren-cho+ o-v ao go+-vo+n-ma^`n] [ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n, vai-x po+`-re'-zi-dda^n
en ddo+` ca'-bo+-ni't] 32. Nga`nh ha`nh pha'p cu?a chi'nh quye^`n la` gi`
? (To^?ng Tho^'ng, Pho' To^?ng Tho^'ng va` No^.i Ca'c)
33. What is the judiciary branch of our government?
(The Supreme Court) [quo't i-z ddo+` ju-ddi'-si-e-ry bo+`-ren-cho+ o-v
ao go+-vo+n-ma^`n] [ddo+` xu'p-po+`-rim kho.t] 33. Nga`nh tu+ pha'p cu?a
chi'nh quye^`n la` gi` ? (To^'i Cao Pha'p Vie^.n)
34. What are the duties of the Supreme Court?
(To interpret laws) [quo't a ddo+` ddiu-ti-z o-v ddo+` xu'p-po+`-rim kho.t]
[tu in-to+-po+`-ri't lo-z] 34. Ca'c nhie^.m vu. cu?a To^'i Cao Pha'p Vie^.n
la` gi` ? (Gia?i thi'ch ca'c lua^.t)
35. What is the supreme law of the United States?
(The Constitution) [quo't i-z ddo+` xu'p-po+`-rim lo-z o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t
x-te^'t-x] [ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n] 35. Lua^.t to^'i cao cu?a nu+o+'c
My~ la` gi` ? (Hie^'n Pha'p)
36. What is the Bill of Rights? (The first 10
amendments of the Constitution) [quo't i-z ddo+` biu o-v rai-t-x] [ddo+`
fo+.t then o+`-me'n-ma^n o-v ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n] 36. Ba?n Tuye^n
Ngo^n Nha^n Quye^`n la` gi` ? (10 Tu Chi'nh Hie^'n Pha'p dda^`u tie^n)
37. Who becomes President of the United States
if the President and the Vice President should die? (Speaker of the House
of Representatives) [hu bi-kha^m po+`-re'-zi-dda^n o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t
x-te^'t-x i'p ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n en ddo+` vai-x po+`-re'-zi-dda^n
su't ddai] [x-pi't-co+ o-v ddo+` hao-x o-v re-po+`-ri-ze'n-to+-tiu] 37.
Ai tro+? tha`nh To^?ng Tho^'ng ne^'u To^?ng Tho^'ng va` Pho' To^?ng Tho^'ng
che^'t ? (Chu? Ti.ch Ha. Nghi. Vie^.n)
38. Which countries were our enemies during World
War II? (Germany, Italy and Japan) [qui'ch kha^n-tri-z quo+ ao e'n-no+-mi-z
ddiu-rinh quo+.t quo tu] [jo+.t-mo+-ni, i'-ta-li en jo+-pe'n] 38. Ca'c
xu+' na`o la` nhu+~ng ke? thu` cu?a chu'ng ta trong DDe^. Nhi. The^' Chie^'n
? (DDu+'c, Y' va` Nha^.t)
39. What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union?
(Hawaii and Alaska) [quo't a ddo+` fo-thi nai-tho+ en fi'p-thi-tho+ o-v
ddo+` du'-ni-o+n] [ha-quai-i en a-la't-x-ca] 39. Ca'c tie^?u bang thu+'
49 va` 50 cu?a Lie^n Bang la` gi` (Hawaii [ha-quai-i] va` Alaska [a-la't-x-ca]
40. How many terms can a President serve? (2)
[hao me'-ni to+m-z khen o+ po+`-re'-zi-dda^n xo+-v] [tu] 40. Mo^.t To^?ng
Tho^'ng co' the^? phu.c vu. bao nhie^u nhie^.m ky` ? (2)
41. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? (A civil
rights leader) [hu quo-z ma.c-tin lu'-tho+ kinh, ju'-ni-o+] [o+ xi'-vo^`
rai-t-x li't-ddo+] 41. Ai la` Martin Luther King [ma.t-tin lu-to+ kinh],
Jr.[ju-ni-o+] ? (mo^.t la?nh tu. da^n quye^`n)
42. According to the Contitution, a person must
meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President.
Name one of these requirements. (Must be a natural born citizen of the
United States; must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve;
must have lived in the United States at least 14 years) [o+-co.t-ddinh
tu ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n, o+` po+.t-xa^n mo+'t-x mi't xo+.t-ta^n ri-ku-ai-ma^n-z
in o.t-ddo+ tu bi i-li'-jo+-bo^` tu bi-kha^m po+`-re'-zi-dda^n. Ne^m quon
o-v ddi-z ri-ku-ai-ma^n-z] [mo+'t-x bi o+ na'-cho+-ro^` bo.t xi'-ti-za^n
o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x; mo+'t-x bi a('t li't-x tho+-thi fai-v
dia-z o^n bai ddo+` thai hi/si quiu so+-v; mo+'t-x heo-v liu-v in ddo+`
du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x a('t li't-x fo-thin dia-z] 42. Theo Hie^'n Pha'p,
mo^.t ngu+o+`i pha?i ho^.i ddu? mo^.t so^' ca'c ddie^`u kie^.n dde^? u+'ng
cu+? To^?ng Tho^'ng . Ke^? ra mo^.t trong ca'c ddie^`u kie^.n na^`y . (Pha?i
la` co^ng da^n My~ sinh trong ba?n xu+'; pha?i to^'i thie^?u 35 tuo^?i
ti'nh dde^'n nga`y se~ phu.c vu.; pha?i so^'ng trong nu+o+'c My~ to^'i
thie^?u 14 na(m )
43. Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate?
(2 from each state) [quai a dde quon ha^n-ddo+-ri.t xe'-no+-to+-z in ddo+`
du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x] [tu fo+`-ro`m i'ch x-te^'t] 43. Ta.i sao co' 100
Thu+o+.ng nghi. si~ trong Thu+o+.ng nghi. vie^.n ? (2 tu+` mo^~i tie^?u
bang)
44. Who selects the Supreme Court Justices? (Appointed
by the President) [hu xi-le'c-x ddo+` xu'p-po+`-rim kho.t jo+'t-ti't-xi-z]
[o+`-poi-ti.t bai ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n] 44. Ai cho.n lu+.a ca'c Cha'nh
A'n To^'i Cao Pha'p Vie^.n ? (Bo^? nhie^.m bo+?i To^?ng Tho^'ng)
45. How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
(9) [hao me'-ni xu'p-po+`-rim kho.t jo+'t-ti't-xi-z a dde] [nai-n] 45.
Co' bao nhie^u Cha'nh A'n To^'i Cao Pha'p Vie^.n ? (9)
46. Why did the Pilgrims come to America? (For
religious freedom) [quai ddi't ddo+` piu-go+`-rim-z kha^m tu o+`-me'-ri-ca]
[fo ri-li'-ji-o+.t-x fo+`-ri'-ddo+`m] 46. Ta.i sao nhu+~ng ngu+o+`i Ha`nh
Hu+o+ng to+'i xu+' My~ ? (Vi` tu+. do ti'n ngu+o+~ng)
47. What is the head executive of state called?
(Governor) [quo't i-z ddo+` he't i'c-ze'-kiu-tiu o-v x-te^'t kho] [go+'-vo+-no+]
47. Ngu+o+`i ca^`m dda^`u ha`nh pha'p cu?a tie^?u bang go.i la` gi` ? (Tho^'ng
ddo^'c)
48. What is the head executive of a city called?
(Mayor) [quo't i-z ddo+` he't i'c-ze'-kiu-tiu o-v o+ xi-ti kho] [me^-do+]
48. Ngu+o+`i ca^`m dda^`u ha`nh pha'p cu?a mo^.t thi. xa~ go.i la` gi`
? (Thi. tru+o+?ng)
49. What holiday was celebrated for the first
time by the American colonists? (Thanksgiving) [quo't ho'-lo+-dde^ quo-z
xe'-lo+-bo+`-re^'t-ti't fo ddo+` fo+.t-x thai-m bai ddi` o+-me'-ri-ca^n
kho'-lo+`-ni't-x] [then-x-ghiu-vinh] 49. Nga`y le^~ na`o ddu+o+.c cu+?
ha`nh dda^`u tie^n bo+?i thuo^.c ddi.a My~ ? (Le^~ Ta. o+n)
50. Who was the main writer of the Declaration
of Independence? (Thomas Jefferson) [hu quo-z ddo+` me^n rai-to+ o-v ddo+`
dde-co+`-lo+-re^'-sa^n o-v in-ddi`-pe'n-dda^n-x] [tho^-mo+.t-x je'p-fo+-xa^n]
50. Ai la` soa.n gia? chi'nh cu?a Ba?n Tuye^n Ngo^n DDo^.c La^.p ? (Thomas
Jefferson [tho^-mo+.t-x je'p-fo+-xa^n])
51. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
(July 4, 1776) [quen quo-z ddo+` dde'-co+`-lo+-re^'-sa^n o-v in-ddi`-pe'n-dda^n-x
o+`-ddo'p-ti't] [ju-la'i fo, xe'-va^`n-thin xe'-va^`n-thi` xi'c] 51. Ba?n
Tuye^n Ngo^n DDo^.c La^.p ddu+o+.c cha^'p nha^.n bao gio+` ? (nga`y 4 tha'ng
7 na(m 1776)
52. What is the basic belief of the Declaration
of Independence? (That all people are created equal) [quo't i-z ddo+` be^-xi'c
bo+-li'p o-v ddo+` dde-co+`-lo+-re^'-sa^n o-v in-ddi`-pe'n-dda^n-x] [dda't
o pi'-po^` a co+`-ri-e^'t-ti't i'-ku-o^`] 52. Su+. tin tu+o+?ng ca(n ba?n
cu?a Ba?n Tuye^n Ngo^n DDo^.c La^.p la` gi` ? (Mo.i ngu+o+`i sinh ra trong
bi`nh dda(?ng )
53. What is the national anthem of the United
States? (The Star-Spangled Banner) [quo't i-z ddo+` na'-so^`-no^` e'n-tho+`m
o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x] [ddo+` x-ta-xpe'n-go^` be'n-no+] 53. Quo^'c
ca nu+o+'c My~ la` gi` ? (Star-Spangled Banner [x-ta-xpe'n-go^` be'n-no+]
Co+` Sao)
54. What is the minimum voting age in the United
States? (18) [quo't i-z ddo+` mi'-ni-mum vo^'t-tinh e^-j in ddo+` du-nai-ti.t
x-te^'t-x] [e^'t-thin] 54. Tuo^?i to^'i thie^?u ddi ba^`u o+? nu+o+'c My~
la` bao nhie^u ? (18)
55. Who signs a bill into law? (The President)
[hu xai-z o+ biu in-tu lo] [ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n] 55. Ai ky' du+. lua^.t
dde^? tro+? tha`nh lua^.t ? (To^?ng Tho^'ng)
56. What is the highest court in the United States?
(The Supreme Court) [quo't i-z ddo+` hai-e't-x kho.t in ddo+` du-nai-ti.t
x-te^'t-x] [ddo+` xu'p-po+`-rim kho.t] 56. To`a a'n to^'i cao o+? nu+o+'c
My~ la` gi` ? (To^'i Cao Pha'p Vie^.n)
57. Who was President during the Civil War? (Abraham
Lincoln) [hu quo-z ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n ddiu-rinh ddo+` xi'-vo^` quo]
[e^-bo+`-ro+-hem li'n-ca^n] 57. Ai la` To^?ng Tho^'ng trong tho+`i No^.i
Chie^'n (Abraham Lincoln [e^-bo+`-ro+-hem li'n-ca^n])
58. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
(Freed many slaves) [quo't ddi't ddo+` i-me'n-ci-pe^'-sa^n po+`-ro^`-co+`-lo+-me^'-sa^`n
ddu] [fo+`-ri't me'-ni xo+`-le^-vz] 58. Su+. Tuye^n Bo^' Gia?i Pho'ng No^
Le^. dda~ la`m ddu+o+.c gi` ? (Gia?i pho'ng no^ le^.)
59. What special group advises the President?
(The Cabinet) [quo't x-pe'-so^` go+`-ru'p a('t-vai-x ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n]
[ddo+` ca'-bo+-ni't] 59. Nho'm dda(.c bie^.t na`o co^' va^'n To^?ng Tho^'ng
? (No^.i Ca'c)
60. Which President is called the "Father
of our country"? (George Washington) [qui'ch po+`-re'-zi-dda^n i-z
kho ddo+` fa'-ddo+` o-v ao kha^n-tri] [jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n] 60. To^?ng Tho^'ng
na`o ddu+o+.c go.i la` "Cha cu?a nu+o+'c" ? (George Washington
[jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n])
61. Who helped the Pilgrims in America? (The American
Indians -- Native Americans) [hu he'p ddo+` piu-go+`-rim-z in o+`-me'-ri-ca]
[ddi` o+`-me'-ri-ca^n i'n-ddi-a^n-z -- ne^-tiu o+`-me'-ri-ca^n-z] 61. Ai
dda~ giu'p ngu+o+`i Ha`nh Hu+o+ng o+? My~ ? (Ngu+o+`i Da DDo? -- Ngu+o+`i
ba?n xu+' My~)
62. What is the name of the ship that brought
the Pilgrims to America? (The Mayflower) [quo't i-z ddo+` ne^m o-v ddo+`
si'p dda't bo+`-ro't ddo+` piu-go+`-rim tu o+`-me'-ri-ca] [ddo+` me^-fo+`-lao-o+]
62. Te^n cu?a chie^'c ta`u dda~ cho+? ngu+o+`i Ha`nh Hu+o+ng to+'i My~
la` gi` ? (The Mayflower [ddo+` me^-fo+`-lao-o+])
63. What were the 13 original states of the U.S.
called? (Colonies) [quo't quo+ ddo+` tho+-thi'n o-ri'-ji-no^` x-te^'t-x
o-v ddo+` du e^'t-x kho] [kho'-lo+-ni-z] 63. 13 tie^?u bang dda^`u tie^n
cu?a nu+o+'c My~ ddu+o+.c go.i la` gi` ? (Ca'c Xu+' Thuo^.c DDi.a)
64. Who has the power to declare war? (The Congress)
[hu he-z ddo+` pao-o+ tu ddi-co+-le' quo] [ddo+` co^ng-go+`re't-x] 64.
Ai co' quye^`n tuye^n chie^'n ? (Quo^'c Ho^.i)
65. What kind of government does the United States
have? (A republic; a democracy) [quo't kai o-v go+-vo+n-ma^`n ddo+-z ddo+`
du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x heo-v] [o+` ri-po+'-bo+`-li'c; o+` ddi`-mo'-co+`-ro+-xi]
65. Nu+o+'c My~ co' chi'nh quye^`n theo the^? che^' na`o ? (Co^.ng Ho`a;
Da^n chu?)
66. Which President freed the slaves? (Abraham
Lincoln) [qui'ch po+`-re'-zi-dda^n fo+`-ri't ddo+` x-le^-vz] [e^-bo+`-ro+-hem
li'n-ca^n] 66. To^?ng Tho^'ng na`o dda~ gia?i pho'ng no^ le^. ? (Abraham
Lincoln [e^-bo+`-ro+-hem li'n-ca^n])
67. In what year was the Constitution written?
(1787) [in quo't dia quo-z ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n ri't-to+n] [xe'-va^`n-thin
e^'t-thi`-xe'-va^`n] 67. Hie^'n Pha'p dda~ ddu+o+.c vie^'t na(m na`o ?
(1787)
68. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
called? (The Bill of Rights) [quo't a ddo+` fo+.t-x then o+`-me'n-ma^n-x
tu ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n kho] [ddo+` biu o-v rai-t-x] 68. 10 tu chi'nh
dda^`u tie^n cu?a Hie^'n Pha'p go.i la` gi` ? (Ba?n Tuye^n Ngo^n Nha^n
Quye^`n)
69. Where does Congress meet? (In the Capitol
in Washington, D.C.) [que ddo+-z co^ng-go+`-re't-x mi't] [in ddo+` ca'-po+-to^`
in qua-sinh-ta^n, ddi-xi] 69. Quo^'c Ho^.i nho'm ho.p ta.i dda^u ? (To`a
nha` La^.p pha'p ta.i Washington [qua-sinh-ta^n], D.C.[ddi-xi])
70. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights? (Everyone, including citizens and non-citizens
living in the U.S.) [hu-z rai-t-x a ga'-ro+n-ti't bai ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n
en ddo+` biu o-v rai-t-x] [e'-vo_ri-quon, in-co+`-lu't-ddinh xi'-ti-za^n-z
en na^n xi'-ti-za^n-z liu-vinh in ddo+` du-e't-x] 70. Quye^`n cu?a ai ddu+o+.c
ba?o dda?m bo+?i Hie^'n Pha'p va` Ba?n Tuye^n Ngo^n Nha^n Quye^`n ? (Ta^'t
ca? mo.i ngu+o+`i, ke^? ca? co^ng da^n va` ngoa.i kie^`u cu+ ngu. tre^n
nu+o+'c My~)
71. What is the introduction to the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights? (The Preamble) [quo't i-z ddo+` in-tro^-dda^'c-sa^n
tu ddo+` khon-x-ti-tu'-sa^n en ddo+` biu o-v rai-t-x] [ddo+` po+`-ri`-e'm-bo^`]
71. Lo+`i mo+? dda^`u cu?a Hie^'n Pha'p va` Ba?n Tuye^n Ngo^n Nha^n Quye^`n
la` gi` ? (Lo+`i Tu+.a)
72. Name one benefit of being a citizen of the
United States. (Obtain federal government jobs; travel with a U.S. passport;
have right to vote) [ne^m quon be'-no+-fi't o-v bi-inh o+ xi'-ti-za^n o-v
ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x] [o+.p-te^'n fe'-ddo+-ro^ go+-vo+n-ma^`n jo'p-z;
tra'-vo^` qui't o+ du-e't-x pa't-x-po.t; heo-v rai-t tu vo^'t] 72. Ke^?
mo^.t quye^`n lo+.i cu?a co^ng da^n My~. (La`m vie^.c cho chi'nh phu? lie^n
bang; du ha`nh vo+'i gia^'y tho^ng ha`nh My~; co' quye^`n ba^`u cu+?)
73. What is the most important right granted to
U.S. citizens? (The right to vote) [quo't i-z ddo+` mo^'t-x im-po.t-ta^n
rai-t go+`-ren-ti't tu du-e't-x xi'-ti-za^n] [ddo+` rai-t tu vo^'t] 73.
Quye^`n quan tro.ng nha^'t cu?a co^ng da^n My~ la` gi` ? (Quye^`n ba^`u
cu+?)
74. What is the United States Capitol? (The place
where Congress meets) [quo't i-z ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x ca'-po+-to^`]
[ddo+` po+`-le^'t-x que co^ng-go+`re't-x mi't] 74. To`a nha` La^.p pha'p
nu+o+'c My~ la` gi` ? (Cho^~ Quo^'c Ho^.i nho'm ho.p)
75. What is the White House? (The President's
official home) [quo't i-z ddo+` quai-t hao-x] [ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n-z
o'p-fi'-so^` ho^m] 75. To`a Ba.ch O^'c la` gi` ? (Dinh thu+. chi'nh thu+'c
cu?a To^?ng Tho^'ng)
76. Where is the White House located? (Washington
D.C.) [que i-z ddo+` quai-t hao-x lo^-ke^'t-ti't] [qua-sinh-ta^n ddi-xi]
76. To`a Ba.ch O^'c to.a la.c o+? dda^u ? (Washington [qua-sinh-ta^n],
D.C.[ddi-xi])
77. What is the name of the President's official
home? (The White House) [quo't i-z ddo+` ne^m o-v ddo+` po+`re'-zi-dda^n-x
o'p-fi'-so^` ho^m] [ddo+` quai-t hao-x] 77. Dinh thu+. chi'nh thu+'c cu?a
To^?ng Tho^'ng la` gi` ? (To`a Ba.ch O^'c)
78. Name one right guaranteed by the first amendment.
(Freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting
change of the government) [ne^m quon rai-t ga'-ro+n-ti't bai ddo+` fo+.t-x
o+-me'n-ma^n] [fo+`-ri-ddo+`m o-v x-pi'ch, po+`-re't-x, ri-li'-ji-o+n,
pi't-xo+-bo^` o+`xe'm-bo+`-li`, en ri`-ku-e't-x-tinh chen-j o-v ddo+` go+-vo+n-ma^`n]
78. Ke^? mo^.t quye^`n ba?o dda?m bo+?i tu chi'nh thu+' nha^'t . (Tu+.
do ngo^n lua^.n, ba'o chi', ti'n ngu+o+~ng, ho^.i ho.p trong tra^.t tu+.,
va` ye^u ca^`u thay ddo^?i chi'nh phu?)
79. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. military?
(The President) [hu i-z co`m-men-ddo+ in chie^'p o-v ddo+` du-e't-x mi-li-te-ri]
[ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n] 79. Ai la` To^?ng Tu+ Le^.nh qua^n do^.i nu+o+'c
My~ ? (To^?ng Tho^'ng)
80. Which President was the first Commander-in-Chief
of the U.S. military? (George Washington) [qui'ch po+`-re'-zi-dda^n quo-z
ddo+` fo+.t-x co`m-men-ddo+ in chie^'p o-v ddo+` du-e't-x mi-li-te-ri]
[jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n] 80. To^?ng Tho^'ng na`o la` To^?ng Tu+ Le^.nh dda^`u
tie^n cu?a qua^n do^.i nu+o+'c My~ ? (George Washington [jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n])
81. In what month do we vote for the President?
(November) [in quo't ma^n-th ddu qui vo^'t fo ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n]
[no^-ve'm-bo+] 81. Tha'ng na`o chu'ng ta ba^`u cu+? To^?ng Tho^'ng ? (Tha'ng
11)
82. In what month is the new President inaugurated?
(January) [in quo't ma^n-th i-z ddo+` niu ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n in-o'-ghiu-re^'t-ti't]
[je'-nu-o+-ri`] 82. Tha'ng na`o Ta^n To^?ng Tho^'nh nha^.m chu+'c ? (Tha'ng
gie^ng)
83. How many times may a Senator be re-elected?
(There is no limit) [hao me'-ni thai-mz me^ o+ xe'-no+-to+ bi ri`-i-le'c-ti't]
[dde i-z no^ li'-mi.t] 83. Mo^.t Thu+o+.ng Nghi. Si~ co' the^? ddu+o+.c
ta'i cu+? ma^'y la^`n ? (Kho^ng ha.n che^')
84. How many times may a Congressman be re-elected?
(There is no limit) [hao me'-ni thai-mz me^ o+ co^ng-go+`-re't-x-ma^n bi
ri`-i-le'c-ti't] [dde i-z no^ li'-mi.t] 84. Mo^.t Da^n Bie^?u co' the^?
ddu+o+.c ta'i cu+? ma^'y la^`n ? (Kho^ng ha.n che^')
85. What are the 2 major political parties in
the U.S. today? (Democratic and Republican) [quo't a ddo+` tu me^-jo+ po^-li'-ti-co^`
pa.c-ti-z in ddo+` du-e't-x tu-dde^-i] [dde'-mo^-co+`-ra-ti'c en ri`-pa'-bo+`-li-ca^n]
85. Hai chi'nh dda?ng chi'nh ye^'u cu?a nu+o+'c My~ hie^.n nay la` gi`
? (Da^n Chu? va` Co^.ng Ho`a)
86. How many states are there in the United States?
(50) [hao me'-ni x-te^'t-x a dde in ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x] [fi'p-thi`]
86. Co' bao nhie^u tie^?u bang trong nu+o+'c My~ ? (50)
Study Questions for the Writing Section [x-to+'-ddi
ku-e't-x-cha^n-z fo ddo+` rai-ting xe'c-sa^n] Ca^u Ho?i Luye^.n Thi Vie^'t
1. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the
country. [ddo+` xu'p-po+`-rim kho.t i-z ddo+` hai-e't-x kho.t in ddo+`
kha^n-tri] 1. To^'i Cao Pha'p Vie^.n la` to`a a'n cao nha^'t trong nu+o+'c
.
2. The United States has fifty (50) states. [ddo+`
du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x he-z fi'p-thi` x-te^'t-x] 2. Nu+o+'c My~ co' na(m
mu+o+i (50) tie^?u bang .
3. George Bush was the President of the United
States. [jo.t bu-s quo-z ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t
x-te^'t-x] 3. George Bush [jo.t bu-s] la` cu+.u To^?ng Tho^'ng nu+o+'c
My~ .
4. There are two (2) Senators from each state.
[dde a tu xe'no+-to+-z fo+`-ro`m i'ch x-te^'t] 4. Co' hai (2) Thu+o+.ng
Nghi. Si~ tu+` mo^~i tie^?u bang .
5. The Congress makes the laws in the United States.
[ddo+` co^ng-go+`-re't-x me^'t-co+`-x ddo+` lo-z in ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x]
5. Quo^'c Ho^.i la`m lua^.t trong nu+o+'c My~ .
6. I live in (state in which examinee resides).
[ai liu-v in (x-te^'t in qui'ch i'c-za'-mi-ni ri`-zai)] 6. To^i cu+ ngu.
trong (tie^?u bang ma` ngu+o+`i ddu+o+.c pho?ng va^'n o+?)
7. The Congress meets in the Capitol. [ddo+` co^ng-go+`-re't-x
mi't-x in ddo+` ca'-po+-to^`] 7. Quo^'c Ho^.i nho'm ho.p trong To`a Nha`
La^.p Pha'p .
8. The President works in Washington, D.C. [ddo+`
po+`-re'-zi-dda^n quo+.t-x in qua-sinh-ta^n, ddi-xi] 8. To^?ng Tho^'ng
la`m vie^.c ta.i Washington [qua-sinh-ta^n], D.C.[ddi-xi] .
9. George Washington was the first President.
[jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n quo-z ddo+` fo+.t-x po+`-re'-zi-dda^n] 9. George Washington
[jo.t qua-sinh-ta^n] la` To^?ng Tho^'ng dda^`u tie^n .
10. The President appoints the Supreme Court justices.
[ddo+` po+`-re'-zi-dda^n o+`-poi-t-x ddo+` xu'p-po+`-rim kho.t jo+'t-ti't-xi-z]
10. To^?ng Tho^'ng bo^? nhie^.m ca'c tha^?m pha'n To^'i Cao Pha'p Vie^.n
.
11. Thanksgiving is in November. [then-x-ghiu-vinh
i-z in no^-ve'm-bo+] 11. Le^~ Ta. O+n trong tha'ng 11 .
12. You must be a United States citizen to vote.
[du mo+'t-x bi o+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x xi'-ti-za^n tu vo^'t] 12. Ba.n
pha?i la` co^ng da^n nu+o+'c My~ dde^? ddu+o+.c ba^`u cu+? .
13. The American flag has fifty (50) stars. [ddi`
o+`-me'-ri-ca^n fo+`-la('c he-z fi'p-thi` x-ta-z] 13. Co+` My~ co' na(m
mu+o+i (50) ngo^i sao .
14. Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United
States. [qua-sinh-ta^n, ddi-xi i-z ddo+` ca'-po+-to^` o-v ddo+` du-nai-ti.t
x-te^'t-x] 14. Washington [qua-sinh-ta^n], D.C.[ddi-xi] la` thu? ddo^ cu?a
nu+o+'c My~
15. Abraham Lincoln was President during the Civil
War. [e^-bo+`-ro+-hem li'n-ca^n quo-z po+`-re'-zi-dda^n ddiu-rinh ddo+`
xi'-vo^` quo] 15. Abraham Lincoln [e^-bo+`-ro+-hem li'n-ca^n] la` To^?ng
Tho^'ng trong tho+`i No^.i Chie^'n .
16. The President lives in the White House. [ddo+`
po+`-re'-zi-dda^n liu-v in ddo+` quai-t hao-x] 16. To^?ng Tho^'ng cu+ ngu.
trong To`a Ba.ch O^'c .
17. The American flag has thirteen (13) stripes.
[ddi` o+`-me'-ri-ca^n fo+`-la('c he-z tho+-thi'n x-trai-px] 17. Co+` My~
co' mu+o+`i ba (13) so.c .
18. The Vice-President works in Washington, D.C.
[ddo+` vai-x po+`-re'-zi-dda^n quo+.t-x in qua-sinh-ta^n, ddi-xi] 18. Pho'
To^?ng Tho^'ng la`m vie^.c ta.i Washington [qua-sinh-ta^n], D.C.[ddi-xi].
19. We have freedom of speech in the United States.
[qui heo-v fo+`-ri'-ddo+`m o-v x-pi'ch in ddo+` du-nai-ti.t x-te^'t-x]
19. Chu'ng ta co' tu+. do ngo^n lua^.n trong nu+o+'c My~ .
20. The Congress has two (2) houses. [ddo+` co^ng-go+`re't-x
he-z tu hao-xi-z] 20. Quo^'c Ho^.i co' hai (2) vie^.n .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
So+? Di Tru' Nu+o+'c My~
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NHU+~NG CA^U THU+O+`NG HO?I
How do I apply for citizenship if I am a "Green
Card" holder? La`m sao dde^? to^i xin nha^.p quo^'c ti.ch ne^'u to^i
co' the? xanh?
If you have a "Green Card", are at least
18 years of age, and have lived Ne^'u ba.n co' the? xanh, i't nha^'t 18
tuo^?i, va` dda~ cu+ ngu.
in the United States as a lawful permanent resident
for five years; or trong nu+o+'c My~ nhu+ mo^.t thu+o+`ng tru' nha^n ho+.p
pha'p 5 na(m hay
if you have been a "Green Card" holder
and have been married to and ne^'u ba.n dda~ co' the? xanh va` dda~ la^.p
ho^n pho^'i va`
residing with a United States citizen for three
years, you may apply to so^'ng chung vo+'i mo^.t co^ng da^n My~ ddu+o+.c
3 na(m, ba.n co' the^?
become a United States citizen. xin nha^.p quo^'c
ti.ch My~\.
The INS form necessary to file for U.S. citizenship
is Form N-400, entitled Ma^~u ddo+n cu?a So+? Di Tru' dde^? xin nha^.p
quo^'c ti.ch My~ la` Ma^~u
"Application for Naturalization." You
may obtain the correct forms by N-400, tu+.a dde^` "DDo+n Xin Nha^.p
Quo^'c Ti.ch". Ba.n co' the^? nha^.n ddu+o+.c ca'c ma^~u ddo+n chi'nh
xa'c ba(`ng ca'ch go.i ddie^.n thoa.i
dialing 1-800-870-FORM or 1-800-870-3676 and asking
for an "N-400 so^' 1-800-870-FORM hay so^' 1-800-870-3676 va` ho?i
xin ma^~u "N-400
Naturalization Packet." Naturalization Packet."
[en fo-ha^n-ddo+-ri.t na'-cho+-ro+-lai-ze^'-sa^n pa('t-ki.t]
There are two educational requirements for becoming
a U.S. citizen. First, Co' hai ddie^`u ddo`i ho?i ve^` ho.c va^'n dde^?
tro+? tha`nh co^ng da^n My~\.
you must show that you can read and write simple
English. Second, you must Thu+' nha^'t, ba.n pha?i chu+'ng to? ba.n co'
the^? ddo.c va` vie^'t
show that you know basic facts about U.S. history
and government, by either tie^'ng Anh ddo+n gia?n. Thu+' nhi`, ba.n pha?i
chu+'ng to? ba.n bie^'t nhu+~ng ddie^`u ca(n ba?n ve^` li.ch su+? va` chi'nh
quye^`n My~, ba(`ng
answering questions before an immigration officer
at the time of your ca'ch tra? lo+`i ca'c ca^u ho?i tru+o+'c ma(.t mo^.t
vie^n chu+'c So+? Di
interview or by passing a history and government
exam at a place approved Tru' trong lu'c ddu+o+.c pho?ng va^'n hay ba(`ng
ca'ch thi dda^.u ba`i tra('c nghie^.m o+? mo^.t co+ so+? tra('c nghie^.m
ddu+o+.c So+? Di Tru'
by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
For a list of the thu+`a nha^.n. Muo^'n co' danh sa'ch nhu+~ng co+ so+?
to^? chu+'c cuo^.c
organizations in your area which offer the standardized
citizenship test, thi nha^.p quo^'c ti.ch trong vu`ng ba.n o+?, xin vui
lo`ng go.i so^'
please call 1-800-755-0777. If you choose to take
the written test, you ddie^.n thoa.i 1-800-755-0777. Ne^'u ba.n cho.n thi
vie^'t, ba.n se~
will be required to show that you can speak and
understand English during chi? ca^`n chu+'ng to? ba.n co' the^? no'i va`
hie^?u tie^'ng Anh trong
your interview with an immigration officer. cuo^.c
pho?ng va^'n vo+'i mo^.t vie^n chu+'c So+? Di Tru'\.
There are ways in which the requirement to understand
English can be waived. Co' nhu+~ng ca'ch mie^~n ddie^`u kie^.n hie^?u tie^'ng
Anh.
If, on the date of filing your application, you
are fifty years of age or Ne^'u, ti'nh dde^'n nga`y ba.n no^.p ddo+n xin
nha^.p quo^'c ti.ch, ba.n
older, and you have been a lawful permanent resident
of the United States ddu+o+.c 50 tuo^?i tro+? le^n, va` ba.n dda~ la` mo^.t
thu+o+`ng tru'
for more than twenty years, you do not have to
show that you can read and nha^n ho+.p pha'p cu?a nu+o+'c My~ ho+n 20 na(m,
ba.n kho^ng ca^`n pha?i
write simple English. This is also true if you
are unable to comply with bie^'t ddo.c va` bie^'t vie^'t tie^'ng Anh ddo+n
gia?n. Cu~ng ddu+o+.c
the English language requirement because of a
disability or if you are a mie^~n ddie^`u kie^.n ddo`i ho?i ve^` tie^'ng
Anh ne^'u ba.n bi. ta^.t
person who is fifty-five years of age or older
who has resided in the nguye^`n hay ne^'u ba.n ddu+o+.c 50 tuo^?i tro+?
le^n va` dda~ so^'ng
United States as a lawful permanent resident for
at least fifteen years. trong nu+o+'c My~ nhu+ mo^.t thu+o+`ng tru' nha^n
ho+.p pha'p i't nha^'t 15 na(m.
You must still show that you have a knowledge
of U.S. history and government, Ba.n va^~n pha?i chu+'ng to? ba.n co' kie^'n
thu+'c ve^` li.ch su+? va`
and you may be tested in your native language.
chi'nh quye^`n My~, va` ba.n co' the^? ddu+o+.c thi tra('c nghie^.m ba(`ng
ngo^n ngu+~ chi'nh cu?a ba.n.
If you are applying for citizenship for a child
who is under the age of Ne^'u ba.n xin nha^.p quo^'c ti.ch cho con du+o+'i
18 tuo^?i cu?a ba.n,
eighteen, has a "Green Card", and has
at least one U.S. citizen parent, co' the? xanh, va` co' i't nha^'t mo^.t
cha hoa(.c me. la` co^ng da^n My~,
but did not automatically become a United States
citizen, the child may be nhu+ng dda~ kho^ng tu+. ddo^.ng tro+? tha`nh
co^ng da^n My~, ngu+o+`i con
eligible for a certificate of citizenship. However,
in most cases the child co' the^? ddu+o+.c ca^'p chu+'ng chi? co^ng da^n.
Tuy nhie^n, trong ha^`u
must be living with the U.S. citizen parent and
that U.S. citizen parent he^'t tru+o+`ng ho+.p ngu+o+`i con pha?i so^'ng
vo+'i mo^.t ngu+o+`i cha
must file Form N-600 entitled, "Application
for Certificate of Citizenship." hoa(.c me. la` co^ng da^n My~ va`
ngu+o+`i cha hoa(.c me. co^ng da^n My~ na^`y pha?i no^.p Ma^~u N-600 tu+.a
dde^` "DDo+n Xin Chu+'ng Chi? Co^ng Da^n".
Back to the top
NINE WAYS TO SAVE
ON A MORTGATE
[vacets-gen] - Mesg from Chanh Cao <ccao@bbt.com>
Nine ways to save on a mortgage
by Greg Daugherty
Unless you're the sort of person who collects
Impressionist paintings or Major League baseball players, chances are a
house, condominium, or co-op will be the most expensive thing you'll ever
buy. And unless you've saved a whole lot of cash by heeding the sage advice
offered in earlier installments of Money Online's Save On ... column, you'll
probably need a mortgage to finance it. Here's how to borrow money--without
borrowing trouble.
1. Read up on rates. Not so long ago, the only
way to comparison shop for a mortgage was to spend all day on the telephone
or all night squinting at the signs in bank windows. Now any number of
services collect and publish mortgage rates, either for free or at a nominal
price. If you just want to get a feel for the mortgage market, check out
the online sites before you pay for anything. (Believe me, prospective
home buyer: You're going to need that money.) Following are some sites
to visit:
* Bankrate Monitor (http://www.bankrate.com),
a Florida-based company that supplies lending data to the financial press
(including Money), presents mortgage rates for 118 metro areas at its web
site. If you were looking to buy a place in Indianapolis, for example,
you recently could compare 13 different lenders' rates on 30-year and 15-
year fixed mortgages and one- year ARMs. There's also a payment calculator
and enough mortgage minutia to make anyone a total bore on the subject.
In sum, a veritable online shrine to the home mortgage.
* HSH Associates (http://www.hsh.com), a New Jersey-based
firm that also supplies data to Money, offers a free online "sampling"
of the mortgage rates it publishes. For $11, HSH will e-mail you a detailed
survey of the metro area of your choice; printouts are also available by
mail at the same price. Phone is 800-873-2837, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, weekdays.
* Money's own Best Rates feature on the World
Wide Web (http://money.com/rates/index.html) shows the best loan rates
on 30-year fixed mortgages and one-year ARMS in the 100 largest U.S. cities,
and includes savings and mortgage calculators.
Final note: If your real-estate agent pushes a
particular lender, be wary. While the agent may have your best interests
at heart, it's also possible that he or she is simply cozy with that lender.
So check 'em out, but don't let your comparison shopping end there.
2. Pick up on points. Important as interest rates
are, they're only part of the mortgage equation. Another big variable is
"points." In mortgage lingo, points are interest you pay up front.
Each point equals one percent of the amount you're borrowing. On a $100,000
mortgage, for example, one point would mean $1,000; two points, $2,000,
and so on. Typically, lenders will offer a lower interest rate the more
points you pay. Where it gets tricky is in comparing one lender's 8.5%
mortgage with no points against another's 8% mortgage with 1.5 points and
a third's 7.625% mortgage with 2.2 points. How do you know which is the
better deal? The answer depends, in part, on how long you expect to stay
in that home. The longer you stay, the less significant the points will
be and the more sense it may make to pay a few (if you have the cash) in
order to lock in a lower rate.
For example, suppose you want to borrow $100,000.
With the 8.5% loan above, monthly payments would run about $769. With the
8% loan (plus 1.5 points), payments would be about $734, a monthly saving
of $35. To determine which loan makes more sense, divide the cost of the
points on the cheaper loan ($1,500) by the monthly savings ($35). The result
is 42.9, meaning you'll need to keep the home for about 43 months--or a
little over 3 and a half years--to break even. (Yes, math buffs, I know
that calculation ignores the "time value of money," but it's
close enough.)
The sites described in tip #1 show the required
points along with the interest rate of each mortgage. They also note the
third big variable, the required down payment. Which brings us to:
3. Scrape up your down payment. The more money
you can afford to put down when you buy a home, the less you'll have to
borrow--so the less you'll pay in interest. For example, a $200,000 home
with a 30-year, 8% mortgage will cost you about $1,174 a month if you put
down 20% (or $40,000) and $1,321 if you put down 10% (or $20,000).
If a 20% or even 10% is beyond reach, there are
ways to get a mortgage with a down payment as low as 5%--and sometimes
less:
* FHA (as in Federal Housing Administration) loans
are insured by the federal government. To see if you might qualify, visit
the Consumer Information Center's web site (www.pueblo.gsa.gov). Click
on "Housing," then on "Guide to Single Family Home Mortgage
Insurance."
* VA (as in Department of Veterans Affairs) loans
are for vets of the armed services. The Consumer Information Center (www.pueblo.gsa.gov)
has an online brochure that describes this program along with other veterans
benefits. Click on "Federal Programs," then on "Federal
Benefits for Veterans and Dependents." Be warned, though: This is
a 211,129-byte monster that takes a while to download.
* FmHA (for Farmers Home Administration) loans
are available in rural areas. You can get information on them by calling
the nearest U.S. Department of Agriculture office.
* Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is the non-government
alternative. You'll probably have to buy PMI if you put less than 20% down.
With PMI you may be able to get away with as little as 5%, and a portion
of that can be borrowed from another source, such as your family. For more
about PMI, see tip #7, below.
4. Get a fix on fixed rates vs. adjustables. At
some point in your deliberations, you'll have to decide whether you want
a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate one, commonly known as an ARM.
Again, how long you plan to keep your home is a key variable. ARMs, which
start out with low rates but can get considerably more expensive in subsequent
years, may be a bargain if you expect to move in a year or two; they can
also make sense when interest rates are high and a fixed-rate loan would
be unaffordable. Another alternative is a sort of hybrid mortgage that
starts out fixed, then converts to an ARM after a few years; it may be
less expensive initially than a purely fixed-rate loan.
In checking out ARMs, ask about the "caps"
that govern how much your rate can go up each year and over the life of
the loan. Don't be too easily seduced by first-year "teaser rates."
Your mortgage payment will almost certainly go up in the second year, even
if interest rates generally have remained flat.
If you decide that a fixed-rate loan is the way
to go, you still have one more big decision to make: 15-year or 30-year.
The former will save you money in interest payments over the long term;
the latter will mean a smaller check to write each month in the meantime.
5. Close in on closing costs. A "closing"
is what bankers call the meeting where you sign the papers to formally
buy your home. Another way of looking at it is the point at which the bank
separates you from what little cash you thought you were going to have
left. Among the costs you'll face: points (as described above), title insurance,
lawyer fees, document- preparation charges, and assorted gouges--like messenger
expenses for papers that never went anywhere. Your lender is required to
give you a list of these costs by the time of your closing. Don't hesitate
to question any that don't make sense to you; also be sure that your lawyer
takes a hard look at the list, rather than simply snoozing through your
closing. And bring plenty of blank checks.
Bear in mind that you don't have to use the insurance
companies your lender recommends. You may, in fact, save some money by
shopping around. For advice on one kind of insurance you're apt to need,
see Save On... homeowners insurance.
Note, too, that closing costs are often negotiable.
An eager seller may cover some of them as part of your deal. A lender may
waive or reduce a few fees if it really wants your business.
Even after you've closed on your home, you'll
still have opportunities to save on your mortgage:
6. Grab that grace period. Your mortgage payment
will probably be due by the first of the month. But there's likely to be
a grace period in your loan contract, which may mean that you really don't
have to get your check in until mid-month. Keep the payment in your bank
account or money-market fund for the two weeks and you'll earn a few bucks
in extra interest each month.
7. Say bye-bye to PMI. You shouldn't have to pay
for private mortgage insurance once the equity in your home equals 20%.
And that's true whether you've reached the exalted 20% threshold simply
through your monthly payments or with a little help from local housing
appreciation. Don't rely on your lender to automatically drop your PMI,
though. If the bank balks, you may need to hire an appraiser to prove your
home's worth.
8. Skip the mortgage life insurance. Once you
have a mortgage (maybe even before), you'll get sales pitches for insurance
that will pay off your mortgage if you're called to the big condo complex
in the sky. Not only is mortgage life insurance often overpriced, but your
heirs may be better off keeping the mortgage and simply making the usual
monthly payments. If you don't already have enough life insurance, you
can almost certainly get a better deal on a conventional term policy. One
exception: If your health makes you ineligible for other life insurance,
a mortgage life policy with no health restrictions would be worth a look.
9. Delight in the deductions. The interest on
mortgages to buy, build, or improve a home is fully deductible at tax time,
provided you don't go hog wild and borrow more than $1 million. So, for
example, if you're in the 28% tax bracket and pay $10,000 a year in interest,
you'll reap a $2,800 tax saving right there. Any points you pay in return
for a lower mortgage rate are also deductible in the year you paid them.
Property taxes, too, are deductible on your federal return, including any
you pay at the closing.
To save money over the long term on your mortgage,
you may want to kick in a little extra each month when you write your check.
A future edition of Save On... will look at the pluses and pitfalls of
pre- paying a mortgage.
Meanwhile, check out Save On... moving for some
tips that can help both your chairs and your checkbook survive the trip
to your new home.
Back to the top
INTERNATIONAL
OLYMPIAD MATHEMATICAL COMPETITION - RESULT 1996
- Mesg from Tuan V Nguyen <t.nguyen@garvan.unsw.edu.au>
The annual 37th International Olympiad Mathematical
Competition was held in Bombay in July 8-17 1996. There were more than
75 countries with 426 candidates participated in the competition. Vietnam
had sent 6 students and they were all in the top rank. Particularly, Ngo
Dac Thuan and Ngo Duc Huy were ranked number 4 overall. As a team, Vietnam,
although had a higher scores than China (175 vs 160), but was curiously
ranked numer 7, behind China! The US was ranked number 2 and Romania number
1. It should be noted that in the 1995 competion, Vietnam was ranked number
4, ahead of the US, UK, Hungary etc.
For your info, there are normally 6 questions
in the contest. Candidates are given one week to solve. This year the questions
are:
1. Let ABCD be a rectangular board, with AB =
20 and BC = 12. The board is divided into 20x12 squares. Let r be a given
positive integer. A coin can be moved from one square to another iff the
distance between the centres of the two squares is sqrt(r). The task is
to find a sequence of moves taking the coin from the square with A as a
vertex to the square with B as a vertex.
a) Show that the task cannot be done if r is divisible
by 2 or 3. b) Prove that the task can be done if r = 73. c) Can the task
be done when r = 97?
2. Let P be a point inside triangle ABC such that
angle(APB) - angle(ACB) = angle(APC) - angle(ABC). Let D and E be the incentres
of triangles APB and APC respectively. Show that AP, BD, and CF meet at
a point.
3. Let S = {0, 1, 2, ...}. Find all functions
f defined on S taking their values in S such that f(m + f(n)) = f(f(m))
+ f(n) for all m and n in S.
4. The positive integers a and b are such that
the numbers 15a + 16b and 16a - 15b are both squares of positive integers.
Find the least possible value that can be taken by the minimum of these
two squares.
5. Let ABCDEF be a convex hexagon, such that AB||ED,
BC||FE, and CD||AF. Let R_A, R_C, and R_E denote the circumradii of triangles
FAB, BCD, and DEF respectively, and let p denote the perimeter of the hexagon.
Prove that R_A + R_C + R_E >= p/2.
6. Let n, p, and q be positive integers with n
> p + q. Let x_0, x_1, ..., x_n be integers satisfying the following
conditions: a) x_0 = x_n = 0, and b) For each integer i, 1 <= i <=
n, either x_i - x_{i-1} = p or x_i - x_{i-1} = -q. Show that there exists
a pair (i,j) of indices with i < j, and (i,j) != (0,0), such that x_i
= x_j.
-----
The partial results for 1995 and full results
for 1996 are as follows:
IMO95 results -
Rank .....Country .................Score
1 ............China .......................236
2........... Romania ..................230
3 ........... Russia .....................227
4 .......... Vietnam ...................220
34.......... Thailand..................107
53......... Indonesia .................68
72.......... Malaysia ...................1
73 ...........Kuwait ......................0
IMO96 Results
Rank ordering of countries ----- Rank Code Score
1 Romania ..........................187
2 USA ..............................185
3 Hungary ..........................167
4 Russia ...........................162
5 UK .......................................161
6 China............................ 160
7 Vietnam.......................... 175
8 Republic of Korea ................158
9 Iran .............................143
10 Federal Republic of Germany .....137
11 Japan ...........................136
12 Bulgaria ........................136
13 Poland ..........................122
14 India ...........................118
15 Israel ..........................114
16 Canada ..........................111
17 Slovenia ........................108
18 Turkey ..........................106
19 Ukraine .........................105
20 Chinese Taipei ..................100
21 Belarus ..........................99
22 Greece ...........................95
23 Australia ........................93
24 Yugoslavia (Serbia, Montenegro) ..87
25 Singapore ........................86
26 Italy ............................86
27 Hong Kong ........................84
28 Czech Republic ...................83
29 Argentina ........................80
30 Georgia ..........................78
31 Belgium ..........................75
32 Lithuania........................ 68
33 Latvia ...........................66
34 Croatia ..........................63
35 Armenia ..........................63
36 France ...........................61
37 Norway ...........................60
38 New Zealand ......................60
39 Finland ..........................58
40 Sweden ...........................57
41 Moldova ..........................55
42 Austria ..........................54
43 South Africa .....................50
44 Slokakia .........................49
45 Mongolia .........................49
46 Thailand .........................47
47 Denmark ..........................44
48 Macau ............................44
49 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 44
50 Spain ............................44
51 Columbia .........................38
52 Brazil ...........................36
53 Sri Lanka ........................34
54 Mexico ...........................34
55 Estonia ..........................33
56 Iceland ..........................31
57 Bosnia Hercegovinia ..............30
58 Azerbaijan .......................27
59 Netherlands ......................26
60 Trinidad and Tobago ..............25
61 Ireland ..........................24
62 Switzerland ......................23
63 Portugal .........................21
64 Kazakstan ........................20
65 Morocco ..........................19
66 Cuba .............................16
67 Kirgighstan ......................15
68 Albania ..........................15
69 Cyprus ...........................14
70 Indonesia ........................11
71 Chile ............................10
72 Malaysia ..........................9
73 Turkmenstan .......................9
74 Phillipines .......................8
75 Kuwait ............................1
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