Instructions: 

1. Watch and listen to the 60-Second Civics video below. If you'd like, you can also read along using the script that appears below the quiz. Or you can turn on the video's subtitles and read while watching the video.
2. Take the Daily Civics Quiz. If you get the question wrong, watch the video again or read the script and try again.

Episode Description:
When you serve your country, you are promoting the common good; that is, the good of everyone in the United States. There are several ways to serve your country. Listen to learn a few!

Serving Your Country: Active Citizenship, Part 4

Welcome to 60-Second Civics from the Center for Civic Education. I’m Mark Gage.

Part of being an active citizen is serving your country.

When you serve your country, you are promoting the common good; that is, the good of everyone in the United States.

There are several ways to serve your country.

One of the most meaningful ways is by serving in the military.

This requires a lot of personal sacrifice and considerable physical risk.

When you join the military, you are giving up your personal freedom for at least four years, and possibly longer, but you are committing to defending our country against those who wish to do us harm.

Another way of serving your country is by being a teacher.

This career choice involves going to college to earn a four-year degree, and receiving specialized training as a teacher.

Being a teacher involves a lot of sacrifice.

You work long hours and give up the potentially higher salaries of the private sector in exchange for a rewarding career teaching the next generation of Americans.

A third way to serve your country is by choosing a career that protects the public's health and safety, such as by serving as a doctor, nurse, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer.

Even if you've already chosen a career that doesn't involve public service, you can give back by donating or volunteering for a charity that promotes the common good.

As you can see, there are many ways to serve. Working for the common good is both rewarding and meaningful. Find your niche and jump in!

This episode was made possible by the support of T-Mobile.

60-Second Civics, where civic education only takes a minute.