Read this article describing the conditions for becoming a British citizen and then read the sentences following it. Your task is to choose the answers that are nearest in meaning to what the article says.
Testing passport to UK citizenship
Did you know that you could dial 112 as well as 999 to reach the emergency services? Can you name the dates of St David’s and St Andrew’s days? And if you can’t, are you fit to be a British citizen?This isn’t an obscure pub quiz. From today, new migrants to Britain will be expected to answer 24 similar questions if they are to get a British passport. Most of the 140,000 people who apply for British citizenship every year will not only have to show they have a working knowledge of the English language but also pass a test on their knowledge of life in the United Kingdom.
Migrants need five years’ residence in Britain before they can apply for a UK passport. The 20% whose English is still not adequate after this time will have to do a combined English language and citizenship course. The estimated 60-80% of new migrants who do have a working knowledge of English will have to pay £34 to do the 24 multiple- choice question test on British life. The questions are based on Life in the UK, a Government publication that candidates are expected to read. The test covers topics that include the changing role of women, the make-up of the population in Britain, religion, customs and traditions, how the political system works, and the position of children.
The test has a pass mark of 75% and, like the driving test, those who fail can take it again at a cost of £34 a time until they pass.
Teachers of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) who will prepare new migrants for the tests said they were surprised at how difficult some of the questions were. One ESOL teacher reported that at a recent training day only one of the 20 teachers who took the test passed it.
Of the two emergency services telephone numbers
both are equally well-known. | |
112 is much better known. | |
some citizens only know 999. | |
112 is a more useful number. |
Would-be citizens of the UK are tested on
driving and first aid. | |
British culture. | |
their knowledge of English. | |
both culture and language. |