New Citizenship Test

[jake-the-peg]

How to use a train timetable is out

Knowing Stonehenge is in Salisbury is in

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21221773

What would you put in amd why?

[Khandro]

I took the test last night and got only 90% ( a pass, because only 75% is required) I, and my wife too, got the question on the age at which one can be called for jury service wrong, both of us put it too high, did you know it Jake?

[McMouse]

I did the test a few months ago and got a number of questions wrong. I would certainly add the following question........."What time is the next international flight to (choose anywhere east of Turkey)."

[anotheoldgit]

Well for starters Stonehenge is not in Salisbury, it's in Wiltshire.

[boxtops]

I think too many of you are doing it, it won't let me move past Q2

[jno]

Stonehenge is in Wiltshire. I got the same one wrong as Khandro. But at least the compilers got them right - the last sample test that was being publicised had at least once answer wrong.

Still no mention of Mary Seacole, though.

One useful question might be the proportion of Muslims in the population, since so many on AB seem to believe it's about 45% and rising.

[Gromit]

Same as Khandro, I too got the jury question wrong 9/10.

My question would be:-

On which British Island is there an annual motorcycle race?

[boxtops]

Got in - I got the Jury one wrong as well

[jake-the-peg]

Yep missed the plain (rather than the plane :c) )

Yes I did, Khandro but only as a friend was called when he was 19.

That's quite a good question - to my mind too many of them seem to be based on history - probably because a certain political outlook seems to view the ourpose of history as creating a common set of stories about a national past that should create a cultural cohesion.

That's a view that I have big issues with

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// My question would be:-

On which British Island is there an annual motorcycle race? ?//

I don't know how many foreign immigrants there are on the Isle of Man, but perhaps the residents of that Island don't want to advertise the fact that the Island exists.

[vulcan]

Why give a choice of answers? the American test doesn't and seems tougher and more relevant.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/blinstst.htm

[jno]

it souns as if Michael Gove has written the questions, probably based on an Eton entrance exam. Apparently the official handbook deals with Monty Python and not water meters as the previous Labour regime's curriculum did. How fitting.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/27/british-citizenship-test

[jake-the-peg]

I'm not sure the American one seems more relevant - seems an awful lot of questions about their political system and the symbolism of their flag!

Relevant to what?

I think this is the question here - what exactly do we think people should have to know to become citizens.

Personally I think quite a lot of it should be about British Law after all thats something we all have to abide by and may be different in other countries.

Similarly questions about the emergency services are probably more important than who was the prime minister in WWII

[maggiebee]

Haven't read this yet, but from the comments here it sounds more like a general knowledge quiz to me. What possible use would knowing where Stonehenge is be to an immigrant.

[vulcan]

I would have thought knowing about the political system would be more relevant and important than knowing where Stonehenge is.

[Gromit]

AOG,

This list of famous migrants to the Isle of Man seems to indicate they are quite keen of people moving there, especially if they are very wealthy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_residents_of_the_Isle_of_Man

[bazwillrun]

Our language and culture might be a starting point.

just a thought !

[Gromit]

Try this Baz,

How many capital letters, commas and apostrophes are missing from this

// Lets Start The Day With A Good Laugh at this so called judge....

yeah I i'm really bothered by what he may do to himself if hes shipped out.
and let me guess all the while him and his scummy family are all claiming tens of thousands in benefits every single year. //

[jake-the-peg]

I'd agree Vulcan - it's not a tourism test after all :c)

But the detail of the political system is too deep - I'm sure our politicians probably think it's important to know that the House of Lords is an advisory chamber with hereditory and appointed representatives but then they would wouldn't they.

Knowing that you have local councillors, MPs and MEPs and what they do for you - and how you elect them is probably important though.

That is the exam should relate to the candidate personally and be about things which directly affect them rather than abstract facts about things which someone has arbitarilly decided represents 'Britishness'

But then I think the specific objective was to add in questions on history and remove questions on the EU

[Khandro]

I have always thought the 'Tebbit test' -i.e. "If the England cricket team were playing against Pakistan, who would you support?", to be a bit severe, because if the roles were reversed, and I was living in Pakistan I (and Tebbit too!) would support England.
But I once knew an Egyptian doctor in England, and when I learnt that he didn't know who Spike Milligan was, I realised what a huge gap existed between us.

[jake-the-peg]

Baz - the language is part of it - it pretty much has to be taken in English

The whole point of this thread is the question of what is meant by 'our culture'

a 'Ladybird quiz' of British history doesn't really define 'British culture'