Life in the UK Test
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The fundamental principles of British life

Study note

Life in the UK rests on a handful of shared values that everyone is expected to support. There are five fundamental principles to learn: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and taking part in community life. These are the foundations of British society, and the test often asks you to pick them out from a list of false options.

Democracy means the country is run by a government the people elect, not by a single unelected ruler or one family. The rule of law means everyone, however powerful, must obey the law and is equal before it. Individual liberty is the freedom to live your life and make your own choices within the law. Tolerance means accepting that others may follow different faiths and beliefs, or none at all.

Anyone who wants to live in the UK permanently, or to become a citizen, is expected to respect these values and to support them. Loyalty to one political party, rule by a single leader, or a single state religion are not British values, so watch for those as wrong answers.

Memory tip: DRIT-P: Democracy, Rule of law, Individual liberty, Tolerance, Participation.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 9 · choose two

Select TWO fundamental principles of life in the UK.

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Show all questions and answers for The fundamental principles of British life(9 questions with explanations)

The fundamental principles of British life: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Select TWO fundamental principles of life in the UK.

    • Individual liberty
    • One single religion for all
    • The rule of law
    • No right to vote

    Correct answer: Individual liberty and The rule of law

    The rule of law and individual liberty are two of the UK's fundamental principles.

  2. 2. Which of these is one of the fundamental principles of British life?

    • Avoiding all elections
    • Rule by a single family
    • The rule of law
    • Banning all religion

    Correct answer: The rule of law

    The rule of law is one of the UK's fundamental principles.

  3. 3. Which of these is a fundamental British value?

    • Loyalty to one political party
    • Ignoring the law
    • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
    • Avoiding all taxes

    Correct answer: Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

    Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is a fundamental British value.

  4. 4. Democracy is one of the fundamental principles of British life.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Democracy is one of the UK's shared fundamental values.

  5. 5. Alongside democracy and the rule of law, which of these is a fundamental principle of British life?

    • an unelected government
    • individual liberty
    • compulsory military service
    • a single state religion

    Correct answer: individual liberty

    Individual liberty is one of the fundamental principles, alongside democracy and the rule of law.

  6. 6. New residents in the UK are expected to do what regarding its fundamental values?

    • Respect them
    • Vote to abolish them
    • Replace them
    • Ignore them

    Correct answer: Respect them

    People who move to the UK are expected to respect its shared values and principles.

  7. 7. Taking part in community life is one of the things people in the UK are expected to do.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Participation in community life is among the principles of British life.

  8. 8. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Democracy is one of the fundamental principles of British life
    • British life is based on rule by a single unelected leader

    Correct answer: Democracy is one of the fundamental principles of British life

    Democracy is one of the UK's shared fundamental principles.

  9. 9. Which of these is NOT a fundamental British value?

    • Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
    • Individual liberty
    • Loyalty to one political party
    • The rule of law

    Correct answer: Loyalty to one political party

    Loyalty to one political party is not a British value. The rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance are.

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