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Original poster

How British are you????

66 replies

Gwenick · 16/06/2005 15:57

just seen this

On the BBC - in order to pass the new test to become a British citizen you've got to answer 24 questions based on the information on in the "Life in the United Kingdom" book published by the government!!!!

I scored 8/15 "seat in the district council" in this test - how did you do??

Can't believe some of the crazy things they could get questioned about!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenick · 16/06/2005 22:37

But to apply for citizenship

a) you already have to be able speak English to a sufficeitn standard to be able to mix with people with whom you live and work

b) be of good character - paid NI and Tax, criminal record doesn't nessecarily mean you'll be turned down, but a chance you could be,

In some cases they also have to go through an interview as well.

Not sure how reciting useless facts are going to 'prove' that they can be good citizens!

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morocco · 16/06/2005 22:46

this is only one of many hoops that have to be jumped through to get citizenship, the same as in loads of other countries, no big deal surely?
Are th government really claiming it will prove people will be good citizens if they can pass this test? That would be rather ridiculous as I'm sure Mr and Mrs Al Quaida could easily walk a test like this but without actually intending to become good citizens at all. I thought of it more as a way of ensuring that all people adopting UK citizenship had a knowledge of what they were signing up to.

Original poster
Gwenick · 16/06/2005 22:51

yes - but think about it

Mr montonowski has been living and working in the UK for the last 5yrs, he's bought a house, got married and had children, which are now starting school and got divorced (ok a little extreme but you get my drift).

Surely after 5yrs living and working in the UK and experience all the things that comes with living in the UK for such a long time (don't forget they HAVE to speak able to speak English to get it anyhow) they're going to have a pretty decent understand of how the country works - so what's the point of having to read a 150 page book which contains such drivel where Father Christmas orginated!

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morocco · 16/06/2005 22:58

I dunno though, I've lived in plenty of places for up to 4 years and wouldn't have had a clue about their culture, language, how to do even basic stuff cos I lived in a little expat bubble. Even though I had a house, had my kids there etc etc. It didn't bother me (OK it wasn't really that extreme and I did learn lots of stuff) but I wasn't applying to become a citizen either. If I had been I woulnd't have thought it unreasonable to have to demonstrate I knew some stuff about the country I wanted to become a permanent part of. I think that's why I don't think it's sucha big deal because it wouldn't have bothered me at all.
If I'd had to give up my time to go to crappy classes though, that would have peed me off. That's why I'd prefer to just read the book, swot up a bit then do the test. Don't even have to red the book if you feel that confident about it (having seen those questions, I would for sure)
Where's everyone else gone

Original poster
Gwenick · 16/06/2005 23:01

But think about it - if you've bought a house here - you've had to deal with solicitors, and mortgage companies, having your kids in school involves 'some' level of knowledge about the schooling.

Don't forget that if they're living in their 'expat bubble' (LOVE term - they probably won't have the English standard required to get it anyhow... so the "decent standard of English" would presumably weed out those in their 'expat bubble'

OP posts:
joash · 16/06/2005 23:06

13

morocco · 16/06/2005 23:08

god my spelling is getting bad
I know what you mean, and I'm sure the test would be a walk in the park for some people, lucky them but I still don't see why it's such a big deal to make them prove it.
anyway, another point . . .
can you tell me more about this decent level of English? What does that mean exactly in bureaurospeak? (bet loads of British people would fail that too, having seen some shocking letters at work today)

Blu · 16/06/2005 23:16

SO relieved I didn't get a seat on the throne, or I might have had to have myself abolished in complete contravention of q 1 A, and so deported as a consequence!

Original poster
Gwenick · 16/06/2005 23:16

I can't help but wonder how much it's going to cost to sort these (pointless IMO) tests. These aren't people applying for work permits (for which there's no real 'marker' for standard of English).

But that's a good point about the English - I'm 'guessing' that they should be able to do 'normal' day to day things - in English and be able to apply for jobs etc etc with people being able to understand them............but then like you say some British people's English is appaling LOL

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jessicasmummy · 16/06/2005 23:21

i got 11!

ThePrisoner · 16/06/2005 23:35

I can't even be bothered to look at the link and do the test - does that mean I've failed miserably? Do we get to choose where we get exported to .... ??

janeybops · 16/06/2005 23:35

oh dear got 9/15

eidsvold · 17/06/2005 06:58

I got 9/15 and for someone who is not british - think I did okay....

suzywong · 17/06/2005 07:04

11 right
too bad I 'm training to be an Australian now though LOL

lucy5 · 17/06/2005 08:14

I got 7 so its lucky I dont live in uk or they would be chucking me out.

Leogaela · 17/06/2005 10:34

Is this for real????

since when did the statement 'traditional values of mutual tolerance'. How far back to does 'tradition' go?

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