CITIZENSHIP TEST PRACTICE
Life in the UK test: 31 key words explained
A simple meaning, an example and a memory tip for each key word.
Please read. Independent practice material. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the UK Government, the Home Office or TSO. Not immigration or legal advice. We cannot promise any result.
1. Values and government
- democracy People choose their leaders by voting.
- rule of law Everyone must follow the law, even leaders.
- tolerance Respect for people with different beliefs.
- monarch A king or queen.
- constitutional monarchy A king or queen with limited power; Parliament makes the laws.
- Parliament The group of people who make laws for the UK.
- House of Commons The part of Parliament that people elect.
- House of Lords The other part of Parliament; members are not elected.
2. Elections and the law
- MP A person elected to speak for an area in the House of Commons.
- constituency The area an MP speaks for.
- general election A vote across the whole UK to choose MPs.
- Prime Minister The leader of the government.
- Cabinet The most senior ministers in the government.
- devolved Some powers given to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- jury A group of ordinary people who decide a court case.
- magistrate A volunteer judge in a local court for smaller cases.
3. History and traditions
- Magna Carta A document from 1215 that limited the king's power.
- Reformation When England left the Roman Catholic Church in the 1500s.
- Civil War The war between the king and Parliament in the 1640s.
- Industrial Revolution A time of new machines, factories and railways.
- suffragette A woman who fought for women's right to vote.
- Remembrance Day 11 November, to remember people who died in war.
- patron saint A saint linked to a country.
- Crown Dependency A place with its own government that is not part of the UK (for example the Isle of Man).
4. Everyday life
- NHS The National Health Service, free care for most people.
- GP A family doctor.
- National Insurance A payment from earnings that helps pay for pensions and benefits.
- council tax A local tax that pays for local services.
- MOT A yearly safety test for older cars.
- bank holiday A public holiday.
- solicitor / barrister Types of lawyer.
Source
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