VOA标准英语2009年-Australia Debates Revamping Controversial

（单词翻译）

By Phil Mercer
Sydney
18 September 2009

Australia is revising controversial citizenship¹ tests, to make sure applicants² are more aware of their rights and responsibilities rather than examine their general knowledge about sports and culture.

The government wants to make the tests more helpful for prospective³ citizens settling in to life in their adopted country.
 
In the new version of the test, to be rolled out October 19, there will more questions about gender⁴ equality, compulsory⁵ voting and the Australian legal system.
 
In unveiling the test this week, Immigration Minister Chris Evans, who was born in Britain, says the amendments⁶ will help immigrants better understand their responsibilities to the community.
 
Evans and many immigrant activists⁷ think questions on the current test about famous sports personalities⁸ and explorers are irrelevant⁹.
 
The country on Thursday celebrated¹⁰ Citizenship Day and to mark the occasion 4,000 people were sworn in as new Australians.
 
Among them was China-born opera singer Sharon Zai, who gave up her Chinese citizenship to become an Australian.
 
"I would love to have both but because I have been in Australia for six years and I feel very, very involved with this Australian life and I love to live here forever," she said.
 
Critics say the citizenship tests are a waste of money, do nothing to help newcomers integrate into society and discriminate¹¹ against those from a non-English speaking background.
 
Migrants must pass the test to gain citizenship. 
 
Under the proposed changes, those taking the test will have to answer 20 multiple-choice questions in English and the passing grade will rise from 60 percent to 75.
 
The tests were introduced in 2007 and were intended to enhance social cohesion¹². Recent studies have found that some prospective citizens had been deterred¹³ from applying for citizenship, wrongly fearing they would be deported¹⁴ if they failed the test.
 
Applicants can take the exam as many times as they like until they pass.