What two things must you be able to show in order to apply to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK?

That you can speak and read English, and that you have a good understanding of life in the UK. The handbook sets out two requirements for anyone applying for permanent residence or citizenship: an ability to speak and read English, and a good understanding of life in the UK. The Life in the UK test and the ESOL course route both exist to prove these.

People in the UK on work visas, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system, normally have to do what in order to become permanent residents?

Pass the Life in the UK test. The handbook states that people here on work visas, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system, normally must pass the Life in the UK test to become permanent residents.

Taking an active part in the life of your local area reflects which of the fundamental principles of British life?

Participation in community life. Participation in community life is one of the five fundamental principles the handbook lists. The others are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Select two responsibilities expected of those who wish to be permanent residents or citizens of the UK.

Respecting and obeying the law and Treating others with fairness. Respecting and obeying the law and treating others with fairness are both on the handbook's list of responsibilities, together with respecting others' rights and opinions, looking after yourself and your family, and looking after your area and the environment.

Which parts of the handbook can the test questions be drawn from?

All parts of the handbook, including the introductory chapter. Questions are based on the whole book, and the handbook warns specifically that the introductory chapter is included. Everything needed to pass is contained within the handbook.

People living on the Isle of Man or in the Channel Islands follow different arrangements for taking the Life in the UK test.

True. True. The handbook notes that separate arrangements apply to residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, who are not covered by the ordinary network of about 60 UK test centres.

Under the rules coming in from October 2013, passing the Life in the UK test on its own is enough for settlement or permanent residence.

False. False. From that date the two requirements apply together: you must pass the Life in the UK test AND separately produce acceptable evidence of English speaking and listening skills at B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

Which of these statements is correct?

New citizens pledge to uphold the UK's values as part of the citizenship ceremony. The pledge belongs to the citizenship ceremony, which comes at the end of the process, not to the booking or sitting of the test.

Special arrangements can be made for a candidate who wishes to sit the Life in the UK test in Welsh or in Scottish Gaelic.

True. True. English is the usual language of the test, but Welsh and Scottish Gaelic are the two alternatives for which special arrangements can be made.

The questions in the Life in the UK test are written to be understood by someone with English at which level?

ESOL Entry Level 3. The test is deliberately written at ESOL Entry Level 3, so candidates who pass it do not need to sit a separate English language test. The handbook itself is written to the same standard.

Chapter 1

The values and principles of the UK

What the UK expects of its citizens: the fundamental principles, your responsibilities, and what you are agreeing to when you take the oath.

Read the chapter 1 study guide →

What this chapter covers

Becoming a permanent resident
The values and principles of the UK
Chapter 1: The values and principles of the UK
Taking the Life in the UK test
How to use this handbook

Practice questions — chapter 1

20 of our 58 questions for this chapter. Every answer includes the handbook section it comes from.

1. What two things must you be able to show in order to apply to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK?
1. That you can speak and read English, and that you have a good understanding of life in the UK
2. That you can write fluent English, and that you have lived in the UK for ten years
3. That you can speak English, and that you own property in the UK
4. That you have a job offer in the UK, and that you can read English
Show answer

Answer: A. That you can speak and read English, and that you have a good understanding of life in the UK

The handbook sets out two requirements for anyone applying for permanent residence or citizenship: an ability to speak and read English, and a good understanding of life in the UK. The Life in the UK test and the ESOL course route both exist to prove these.

Handbook section 1.2
2. People in the UK on work visas, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system, normally have to do what in order to become permanent residents?
1. Pass the Life in the UK test
2. Complete an ESOL course in English with Citizenship
3. Attend a citizenship ceremony before applying
4. Live in the UK for at least fifteen years
Show answer

Answer: A. Pass the Life in the UK test

The handbook states that people here on work visas, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system, normally must pass the Life in the UK test to become permanent residents.

Handbook section 1.2
3. Taking an active part in the life of your local area reflects which of the fundamental principles of British life?
1. Participation in community life
2. Individual liberty
3. The rule of law
4. Democracy
Show answer

Answer: A. Participation in community life

Participation in community life is one of the five fundamental principles the handbook lists. The others are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Handbook section 1.3
4. Select two responsibilities expected of those who wish to be permanent residents or citizens of the UK.

Select two answers
1. Respecting and obeying the law
2. Treating others with fairness
3. Voting in every election
4. Learning Welsh or Scottish Gaelic
Show answer

Answer: A. Respecting and obeying the law and B. Treating others with fairness

Respecting and obeying the law and treating others with fairness are both on the handbook's list of responsibilities, together with respecting others' rights and opinions, looking after yourself and your family, and looking after your area and the environment.

Handbook section 1.3
5. Which parts of the handbook can the test questions be drawn from?
1. All parts of the handbook, including the introductory chapter
2. Only the chapters on history and government
3. Only the sections marked 'Check that you understand'
4. Every chapter except the introduction
Show answer

Answer: A. All parts of the handbook, including the introductory chapter

Questions are based on the whole book, and the handbook warns specifically that the introductory chapter is included. Everything needed to pass is contained within the handbook.

Handbook section 1.4
6. People living on the Isle of Man or in the Channel Islands follow different arrangements for taking the Life in the UK test.
1. True
2. False
Show answer

Answer: A. True

True. The handbook notes that separate arrangements apply to residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, who are not covered by the ordinary network of about 60 UK test centres.

Handbook section 1.4
7. Under the rules coming in from October 2013, passing the Life in the UK test on its own is enough for settlement or permanent residence.
1. True
2. False
Show answer

Answer: B. False

False. From that date the two requirements apply together: you must pass the Life in the UK test AND separately produce acceptable evidence of English speaking and listening skills at B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

Handbook section 1.2
8. Which of these statements is correct?
1. New citizens pledge to uphold the UK's values as part of the citizenship ceremony
2. New citizens pledge to uphold the UK's values at the moment they book the Life in the UK test
Show answer

Answer: A. New citizens pledge to uphold the UK's values as part of the citizenship ceremony

The pledge belongs to the citizenship ceremony, which comes at the end of the process, not to the booking or sitting of the test.

Handbook section 1.3
9. Special arrangements can be made for a candidate who wishes to sit the Life in the UK test in Welsh or in Scottish Gaelic.
1. True
2. False
Show answer

Answer: A. True

True. English is the usual language of the test, but Welsh and Scottish Gaelic are the two alternatives for which special arrangements can be made.

Handbook section 1.4
10. The questions in the Life in the UK test are written to be understood by someone with English at which level?
1. ESOL Entry Level 3
2. ESOL Entry Level 1
3. GCSE grade C in English
4. Degree level English
Show answer

Answer: A. ESOL Entry Level 3

The test is deliberately written at ESOL Entry Level 3, so candidates who pass it do not need to sit a separate English language test. The handbook itself is written to the same standard.

Handbook section 1.2
11. Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference is described in the handbook as being equivalent to which qualification level?
1. ESOL Entry Level 3
2. ESOL Entry Level 1
3. ESOL Level 2
4. GCSE English
Show answer

Answer: A. ESOL Entry Level 3

The handbook states that B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference is equivalent to ESOL Entry Level 3 — the same standard of English at which the test questions and the handbook itself are written.

Handbook section 1.2
12. The values and principles on which British society is founded are described as being based on what?
1. History and traditions, and protected by law, customs and expectations
2. A written constitution agreed in the twentieth century
3. Treaties signed with other European countries
4. The rules of the established church
Show answer

Answer: A. History and traditions, and protected by law, customs and expectations

The handbook says these fundamental values grow out of Britain's history and traditions, and are protected by law, by custom and by what people expect of one another. They are reflected in the rights and responsibilities of citizens and permanent residents.

Handbook section 1.3
13. How many questions does the Life in the UK test contain?
1. 24
2. 20
3. 30
4. 45
Show answer

Answer: A. 24

The test is made up of 24 questions drawn from every part of the handbook, including the introductory chapter. Candidates sitting at the same session are not all given the same 24 questions.

Handbook section 1.4
14. Whose test certificates will the UK Border Agency accept?
1. Only those issued by registered and approved Life in the UK test centres
2. Those issued by any college or educational establishment
3. Those issued by any centre listed on the Gov.uk website
4. Those issued by any centre approved by a local council
Show answer

Answer: A. Only those issued by registered and approved Life in the UK test centres

The test must be sat at a registered and approved test centre, because the UK Border Agency will not accept certificates from anywhere else. Sitting the test at any other establishment would therefore be a waste of time and money.

Handbook section 1.4
15. Which group of people does the handbook say normally has to pass the Life in the UK test in order to become permanent residents?
1. People here on work visas, including those on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system
2. Only people who have married a British citizen
3. Only students who came to the UK on a study visa
4. Only people born in a Commonwealth country
Show answer

Answer: A. People here on work visas, including those on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system

The handbook singles out those on work visas, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system, as normally needing to pass the Life in the UK test for settlement.

Handbook section 1.2
16. You can book your Life in the UK test by telephoning your nearest approved test centre.
1. True
2. False
Show answer

Answer: B. False

False. Booking can only be done online, through the official Life in the UK test website. The handbook also warns you to read the instructions carefully and enter your details correctly when you book.

Handbook section 1.4
17. Which of these statements is correct?
1. The test has 24 questions, and the ones you are given differ from those given to other candidates at the same session
2. The test has 24 questions, and everyone at the same session answers an identical paper
Show answer

Answer: A. The test has 24 questions, and the ones you are given differ from those given to other candidates at the same session

There are 24 questions, but they are not the same 24 for everyone sitting at that session. This is why the whole handbook has to be learned rather than a fixed list of answers.

Handbook section 1.4
18. Who is expected to take an ESOL course in English with Citizenship rather than the Life in the UK test?
1. Someone whose standard of English is below ESOL Entry Level 3
2. Someone who has lived in the UK for less than one year
3. Anyone applying for citizenship rather than settlement
4. Anyone who was born outside the European Union
Show answer

Answer: A. Someone whose standard of English is below ESOL Entry Level 3

The ESOL course route is aimed at people whose English is below ESOL Entry Level 3. The course improves their English while also teaching them about life in the UK, and there is a test at the end of it.

Handbook section 1.2
19. From October 2013, what will applicants for settlement or permanent residence be required to do?
1. Pass the Life in the UK test and provide acceptable evidence of English speaking and listening skills at B1 level
2. Pass the Life in the UK test or provide evidence of English at B1 level, whichever they prefer
3. Complete an ESOL course in English with Citizenship and sit an interview
4. Pass the Life in the UK test and provide evidence of written English at B2 level
Show answer

Answer: A. Pass the Life in the UK test and provide acceptable evidence of English speaking and listening skills at B1 level

From October 2013 the two requirements are combined rather than alternatives: applicants must pass the Life in the UK test AND produce acceptable evidence of speaking and listening skills in English at B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

Handbook section 1.2
20. Which of these does a new citizen promise in the pledge made at the citizenship ceremony?
1. To uphold the UK's democratic values and observe its laws faithfully
2. To serve in the armed forces if called upon
3. To pay a yearly citizenship fee
4. To take part in every general election
Show answer

Answer: A. To uphold the UK's democratic values and observe its laws faithfully

The pledge covers giving loyalty to the United Kingdom, respecting its rights and freedoms, upholding its democratic values, observing its laws faithfully, and fulfilling the duties and obligations of a British citizen.

Handbook section 1.3

Practise all 58 chapter 1 questions

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