The first chapter of the handbook describes what the UK stands for. The fundamental principles are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance and respect for others. Everyone in the UK has rights, protected by the Human Rights Act 1998, and responsibilities, such as obeying the law, paying tax and, if called, serving on a jury. The UK is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each with a capital (London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast) and a patron saint (St George, St Andrew, St David and St Patrick). The test often asks about these facts, so learn them as a set.
What you'll learn
- The fundamental principles of British life and what the rule of law means
- The rights and responsibilities of people living in the UK, including jury service
- The four countries of the UK with their capitals and patron saints
- Who is not part of the UK: the Republic of Ireland is a separate country
A sample question from the bank
Question: Which of these countries is NOT part of the United Kingdom? Answer: The Republic of Ireland.
Question: Which saint is the patron saint of Wales, celebrated on 1 March? Answer: St David.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to learn the dates of the saints’ days?
The handbook gives them: 23 April St George, 30 November St Andrew, 1 March St David and 17 March St Patrick. Knowing which saint belongs to which country is the most useful part.
Is the voting age 18 everywhere in the UK?
For UK general elections it is 18. Some devolved elections allow 16-year-olds, so read the handbook and the question carefully.