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Life in the UK Test: The Values and Principles of the UK — Practice Questions

The first chapter of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, sets out the fundamental principles of British life: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. It also explains the responsibilities and freedoms that come with living in the UK, and the pledge new citizens make at the citizenship ceremony.

It is the shortest chapter in the handbook, and it carries the smallest share of questions in our practice bank — but its ideas run through the whole test, so it rewards careful reading. Each question below is a practice question from our bank, with the correct answer and a plain-language explanation.

Practice questions

1 · An equal society

What is a legal requirement in the UK about men and women?

  1. They must work in the same jobs
  2. They must have the same salary in every job
  3. They must marry before they can work
  4. ✓ They should not be discriminated against because of gender or marital status — Correct answer
Explanation

Men and women must not be discriminated against because of gender or marital status. They also have equal rights to work, own property, marry and divorce.

2 · Becoming a permanent resident

What do you need, as well as speaking and reading English, when applying to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK?

  1. ✓ A good understanding of life in the UK — Correct answer
  2. A job offer in the UK
  3. A council tax bill
  4. A UK passport
Explanation

You need to have a good understanding of life in the UK, as well as speaking and reading English. These are the basic requirements for applying to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK.

3 · Core values

Which statement best matches the values of British society?

  1. Only one religion should be followed
  2. ✓ British society values tolerance and respect for people with different beliefs — Correct answer
  3. Extremism and intolerance are seen as acceptable
  4. Community life does not matter
Explanation

British society values tolerance and respect for people with different beliefs. This helps people live together peacefully and support one another in everyday life, such as in schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.

4 · Domestic violence

What is the legal position on violence in the home in the UK?

  1. It is allowed if the couple is married
  2. It is only a civil matter
  3. It is not punished if both people live together
  4. ✓ It is a serious crime — Correct answer
Explanation

Violence in the home is treated as a serious crime. A person who is violent towards a partner can be prosecuted, whether they are married or living together.

5 · Equal opportunities

Which of these is one of the protected grounds against unfair treatment in work or daily life?

  1. Length of residence
  2. ✓ Disability — Correct answer
  3. Political party membership
  4. Accent
Explanation

UK laws protect people from unfair treatment because of age, disability, sex, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexuality or marital status.

6 · Female genital mutilation

What is the legal status of female genital mutilation in the UK?

  1. It is allowed with parental consent
  2. ✓ It is illegal — Correct answer
  3. It is legal if carried out abroad
  4. It is a civil matter only
Explanation

Female genital mutilation is illegal in the UK. Practising it, or taking a girl or woman abroad for it, is a criminal offence.

7 · Forced marriage

What makes a marriage acceptable in the UK?

  1. ✓ Full and free consent of both people — Correct answer
  2. Agreement by families alone
  3. Consent from one person only
  4. A marriage arranged by the police
Explanation

A marriage should be entered into with the full and free consent of both people involved. Arranged marriages are acceptable when both parties agree.

8 · Freedoms

Which freedom is offered in return to people living in the UK?

  1. ✓ Freedom of speech — Correct answer
  2. Freedom to ignore court decisions
  3. Freedom to avoid paying income tax
  4. Freedom to live without any laws
Explanation

Freedom of speech is correct because people in the UK have the right to express their views openly. The other options are not freedoms: people must pay tax, obey court decisions, and follow the law.

9 · Fundamental principles

Which one is a fundamental principle of British life?

  1. One-party rule
  2. Absolute freedom from all laws
  3. ✓ Participation in community life — Correct answer
  4. Compulsory military service
Explanation

Participation in community life is one of the fundamental principles of British life. The other principles include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

10 · Jury service

Who can be asked to do jury service?

  1. Anyone who has volunteered in a local hospital
  2. Anyone who lives in the UK and is over 16
  3. ✓ Anyone on the electoral register who is aged 18 to 70 — Correct answer
  4. Only British citizens aged 21 to 65
Explanation

People on the electoral register who are aged 18 to 70 can be asked to serve on a jury. Being on the electoral register is the key requirement in this role.

11 · Looking after the environment

Why is recycling important?

  1. It stops people needing to volunteer
  2. It makes rubbish heavier
  3. It replaces public transport
  4. ✓ It uses less energy and reduces landfill — Correct answer
Explanation

Recycling is important because making new products from recycled materials uses less energy and reduces the amount of rubbish sent to landfill. It also means we need to take fewer raw materials from the earth.

12 · Other ways to volunteer

What is volunteering?

  1. Working only for the government
  2. Helping only in schools
  3. ✓ Working for good causes without payment — Correct answer
  4. A paid job in a charity office
Explanation

Volunteering means working for good causes without payment. People often volunteer to meet new people and help make their community a better place.

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Common questions

How many questions about values and principles are in the real test?
The Home Office does not publish a per-chapter breakdown. The real test draws its 24 questions from anywhere in the official handbook, so any chapter can appear.
What are the fundamental British values in the handbook?
The handbook names democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs as the fundamental principles of British life.
Do I need to memorise the citizenship pledge?
You do not recite the pledge in the test, but the handbook explains the values behind it, and questions can ask about those values and the responsibilities of residents.

More chapters

New to the test? Read our guides to the fee, booking and the pass mark