Life in the UK Test

Migration to Britain

* Where have migrants come from in the past and why? What sort of work have they done?

The changing role of women

* Do women have equal rights and has this always been the case?
* Are there as many women in education or work as men?
* Do women get the same pay as men? Do women with children work?

Children, family and young people

* Do many children live in single parent families or step-families?
* When do children take tests at school? How many go on to higher education?
* What are the minimum ages for buying alcohol and tobacco? What drugs are illegal?

Population

* How many people live in the countries of the UK?
* What is the census and how is census data collected and used?
* How many people belong to an ethnic minority and which are the largest minority groups? Where are there large ethnic communities?

Religion and tolerance

* How many people say they have a religion and how many attend religious services? What are the largest religious groups?
* What is the Church of England and who is its head? What are the main Christian groups?

The regions of Britain

* Where are Geordie, Cockney and Scouse dialects spoken?

Customs and traditions

* Do people tend to live in the cities or in the country?
* What and when are the national days of the four countries of the UK? What are bank holidays?
* What and when are the main Christian festivals? What other traditional days are celebrated?

The working system of government

* What are MPs? How often are elections held and who forms the government?
* What is the role of the Prime Minister? Who advises them and what are the main roles in the Cabinet?
* What type of constitution does the UK have? What is Her Majesty’s Opposition and what is the role of the Leader of the Opposition?
* How is political debate reported? Are newspapers free to publish opinions or do they have to remain impartial?

The formal institutions

* What is the Queen’s official role and what ceremonial duties does she have?
* How do elections for the House of Commons work? How are candidates selected? What do the Speaker and Whips do?
* What is the House of Lords and who are its members?
* How can you visit Parliament?
* How are judges appointed and how do they apply the law?
* How are the police organised and who controls their administration?
* What is the civil service and how do civil servants work with government?
* How are local services managed, governed and paid for?

Devolved administration

* What is proportional representation and where is it used?
* What are the powers of the devolved administrations? Which areas of policy remain under the control of the UK government?
* What are quangos and non-departmental public bodies?

Britain in Europe and the world

* What are the roles and powers of the main institutions of Europe? How is European law organised?
* What rights do citizens of European Union states have to travel and work?
* What is the Commonwealth? What is the United Nations and what is Britain’s role within it?

The ordinary citizen

* What rights and duties do UK citizens have?
* Who has the right to vote and at what age? How and when do you register to vote?
* Who can stand for public office? How do you contact an elected representative?