Life in the UK Practice Test 1

British life rests on principles including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance.

New citizens and residents pledge to respect rights and freedoms and to uphold democratic values and the law.

Equal treatment under the law is a core British value — nobody is above the law, whatever their background.

Residents are expected to look after the area where they live and the environment, and to look after themselves and their family. People are free to disagree with the government, and joining a political party is a choice, not a duty.

People are free to practise any religion, or to practise no religion.

Freedom of speech lets people discuss and challenge ideas, alongside tolerance and respect for others.

Discrimination on grounds such as sex, race, disability or age is against British values and against the law.

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs is listed among the fundamental principles of British life.

The citizenship pledge includes upholding the UK's democratic values.

Individual liberty means freedom to live as you choose, subject to the law that applies equally to everyone.

Treating others with fairness is one of the stated values and responsibilities of living in the UK.

The ceremony welcomes new citizens into British society and its shared democratic values.

The fundamental principles are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and participation in community life — so participation in community life and tolerance are both on the list. Nobody is expected to follow the monarch's personal wishes, and owning a home is a personal choice, not a principle of British life.

British values leave no room for extremism or intolerance; society is built on fairness and respect for others instead.

The values are described as being based on the country's history and traditions, developed over centuries.

The values do not rest on law alone; they are also protected by the customs of society and by what people expect of one another.

In the pledge, new citizens give their loyalty to the United Kingdom and promise to fulfil their duties and obligations as a British citizen, alongside respecting rights and freedoms and observing the laws faithfully. The pledge never asks anyone to back a political party or to follow the monarch's personal wishes.

Residents are expected to be self-reliant where they can, including looking after themselves and their own family.

The freedoms offered include freedom from unfair discrimination and the right to a fair trial, alongside freedom of speech and of belief. There is no right to avoid tax, and travel is not provided free of charge.

Freedom from unfair discrimination means people should not be treated worse because of characteristics such as their race, sex or religion.

Passing the test is part of applying for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) or for British citizenship.

Residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands follow different arrangements, because those islands are Crown Dependencies rather than part of the UK. Scotland is part of the UK and uses the standard arrangements, and Gibraltar is an Overseas Territory, not one of the two Crown Dependency groups named.

Age is one of the standard exemptions: the test generally applies to applicants aged 18 to 64, so those under 18 or aged 65 and over generally do not have to take it. Living in the UK for ten years does not remove the requirement.

At the ceremony the new citizen is presented with their certificate of naturalisation and the national anthem, God Save the King, is played or sung. The Life in the UK Test is taken earlier, as part of the application, and a passport is not handed out at the ceremony — it has to be applied for separately afterwards.