How are sentences presented at the "Writing" portion of the interview?

[Ruark 4]

In a couple of weeks, my elderly mother in law, from Russia, has her citizenship interview. She's 80 years old and has REALLY struggled with preparing for the tests, and we're still worried that she won't pass it; it's just so difficult for someone that age.  Like, I'll tell her (to write) "Washington is the father of our country," and she'll start writing,  "Washington.... is...." and then she'll look at me and say "Washington.... is.... what?....."  It's hard for her to memorize the entire sentence just from hearing it one time.  So, a couple of questions, if anybody can help:

 

Interviewers are supposed to be able to exercise their personal discretion in such situations.  We knew one person in his 80's that failed the exam several times; it was just a nightmare for him.  But his interviewer was ridiculously strict.  Then he got a different interviewer who was very understanding and just poo-poo'ed it and gave him a "pass."  Does it really work like that?  How common are these "generous" interviewers.  If it makes any difference, we're in San Antonio, TX.

 

Also - when the interviewer gives these sentences, do they ever repeat the sentence or part of it, like in the example above with "Washington is....." or do they just give the sentence one single time and that's it?

 

We have our fingers crossed that this is going to go smoothly.  She is doing the absolute best she can.

 

Thanks

Edited August 22, 2018 by Ruark

[aleful 1,905]

hi

 

it is only one sentence, how often do they repeat it, probably depends on the officer

 

the written part is only one sentence, the rest is oral

 

 

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

My wife had her naturalization tests last week. She was most concerned with the written test. I can't remember the exact question she was asked but she said it turned out to be much easier than she'd feared. During the Civics portion of the test, she did ask for a repeat of an asked question and the IO accommodated her. Overall, the IO was very nice. I think you are correct that it will highly depend on the IO she draws. Good luck.

[CarlHamilton 252]

Look into accommodations for old age.  This is a common problem. 

[CTgal18 157]

The officer at my interview said the sentence out loud twice without me needing him to. If I recall the sentence I wrote was “we pay taxes” so it’s not like repeating it was necessary at all.  Like you said, I’m sure it’s dependent on individual officer and what kind of mood they’re in. Mine was extremely nice and I feel as if I needed him to repeat anything, he would have. Good luck to your mother in law, I hope her interview goes well. 

[poolemit 25]

8 hours ago, CarlHamilton said:

Look into accommodations for old age.  This is a common problem. 

This. She can request an exemption and likely not need to do any of the tests.

 

N-648 https://www.uscis.gov/n-648