I took the UK Citizenship Test at http://www.ukcitizenshiptest.co.uk/ to see what questions they ask. I got 14 of 24 questions right. I wonder if that means my passport will be revoked. 45 minutes are allowed for a test that takes 3 minutes.
Q1 – I failed this. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? In the 1980s, the largest immigrant groups were from the West Indies, Ireland, India and Pakistan. The correct answer was the largest groups were from the US, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. I suppose this presumes that government figures are accurate–there are many illegals–but clearly knowing the answer to this question does not constitute “integration into Britain”, which is what the test is supposed to test for.
Q2 – Which TWO of these are names for the Church of England? I correctly chose Anglican and Episcopal. However, this is incorrect – Episcopal refers specifically to the church in the Anglican Communion that operates in Scotland. And in general, episcopal refers to any church with bishops in – and so the Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox are episcopal too. It seems odd the test is drawn up by people who don’t know the answers to their own questions.
Q3 – How many parliamentary constituencies are there? I correctly chose 646, but wondered why people who thought it was 664 (one of the other choices) are officially deemed not to have integrated into the UK. These questions are frankly a nonsense.
Q4. I correctly chose the option, “education at state schools in the UK is free but parents have to pay for school uniform and sports wear”. I suppose it helps if immigrants aren’t demanding rugby boots from the local school…
Q5. I correctly indicated that “many jobs applications will require a covering letter and a curriculum vitae”.
Q6. I correctly indicated that it was true that “Ulster Scots is a dialect which is spoken in Northern Ireland”. [Correct English would have “that” and not “which” in this sentence.] But the clue is in the term Ulster Scots.
Q7. In which year did married women get the right to divorce their husband? I chose 1882, but the correct answer was 1857. How does identifying the year render someone suitable for UK citizenship?
Q8. In which TWO of the following places does the European Parliament meet? I correctly chose Brussels and Strasbourg. It seems brainwashing on the EU is part of the UK citizenship test.
Q9. Which of the following TWO types of people get their prescriptions free of charge? Always good for people to know what they can get for free. I chose people over 60 and under 18, but it seems under 18 is not a valid choice (must be under 16), and I should have chosen pregnant women.
Q10. ‘Adults who have been unemployed for six months are usually required to join New Deal if they wish to continue receiving benefit.’ I thought it was true, but it is false. The correct period is 18 months. Always good to teach immigrants how to work the benefits system.
Q11. The number of children and young people up to the age of 19 in the UK is… Unfortunately, I chose 13m, when the correct answer is 15m. Will my passport be revoked? How does knowing this equip someone for UK citizenship?
Q12. The percentage of people in the UK in 2001 who said they were Muslims was… Unfortunately, I chose 3.4%, when the correct answer was 2.7%. It is highly likely that the real figure is above the government figure anyway. None of these questions, even if answered correctly, will make someone British.
Q13. A quango is… I correctly chose “a non-departmental public body”. Always good to know where your taxes are going.
Q14. ‘You can attend a hospital without a GP’s letter only in the case of an emergency.’ I chose false, when it is true. I suppose it depends what you define as an emergency: there are plenty of non-emergency attendances at A&E departments.
Q15. Information about training opportunities can be found from which TWO of the following? I correctly chose the local library and Learndirect. Always good to know how you access public resources. Why can’t training be provided by private colleges who conduct their own propaganda?
Q16. I correctly indicated that “information in the census is kept secret for 100 years”. I suppose we wouldn’t want immigrants trying to opt out of the census and thereby skewing our ethnic figures, would we?
Q17. Which TWO of the following can vote in all UK public elections? I correctly chose Irish and Commonwealth citizens in the UK. Good to know Nigerians can vote in our elections without the inconvenience of gaining British citizenship.
Q18. Schools must be open… I incorrectly chose 200 days a year. The correct answer is 190. How does this answer make someone fit into the UK?
Q19. From which TWO places can you obtain advice if you have a problem at work and need to take further action? I correctly chose the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and ACAS. Getting the immigrants launched on the compensation culture, it seems.
Q20. The official report of the proceedings of Parliament is called Hansard. I correctly answered this, but I don’t think all British people will have heard of Hansard. None of this information actually makes someone British.
Q21. I incorrectly stated that the speed limit for cars and motorcycles on single carriageways was 70 mph, when it is 60 mph. I read it quickly and thought motorways were intended. This is probably the only genuinely useful information in the test.
Q22. A by-election is held.. when an MP dies or resigns. I got this right, but so what?
Q23. I incorrectly said that children 13-16 could not work more than 10 hours in a school week; the correct answer is 12 hours. Marginally useful to know.
Q24. I correctly identified the governing body of the EU as the Council of the European Union. Good to know where the real government is, which kinds of makes the by-election question redundant.
