🤝 Your Role: Getting Involved and Daily Life

1. How does the Life in the UK handbook define volunteering?

1. Working for good causes without payment
2. Part-time work paid at the minimum wage
3. Compulsory community service ordered by a court
4. Paid work carried out for a registered charity

Volunteering is defined as working for good causes without payment, and is encouraged as a way to help your community and meet new people. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Volunteering and helping in your community)

2. According to the handbook, what are two benefits of volunteering in your community?

1. It helps your community and is a good way to meet new people
2. It guarantees a tax refund and a state pension
3. It exempts you from paying National Insurance
4. It provides a salary and paid holiday entitlement

The handbook presents volunteering as a way to help your community and to meet new people, not as paid employment. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Volunteering and helping in your community)

3. A new resident wants to take part in community life by giving their time freely to a local good cause. Which of the following best fits this aim?

1. Volunteering with a local charity or community group
2. Applying for a salaried role at the local council
3. Registering as self-employed with HMRC
4. Standing for election as a Member of Parliament

Helping a good cause without payment is volunteering; the other options involve paid work or formal political office. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Volunteering and helping in your community)

4. The National Trust is given in the handbook as an example of a charity that does what?

1. Preserves important buildings, coastline and countryside for the public
2. Collects taxes on behalf of the government
3. Runs the National Health Service
4. Organises UK parliamentary elections

The National Trust is cited as a charity that works to preserve places of historic interest and natural beauty, such as buildings, coastline and countryside, for everyone to enjoy. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Looking after the environment / charities)

5. To help look after the environment, what does the handbook encourage residents to do with their household waste?

1. Recycle as much as possible to reduce what is sent to landfill
2. Burn it in the garden to save space
3. Send all of it to landfill sites
4. Pour it into local rivers and streams

Residents are encouraged to recycle as much household waste as possible to reduce the amount sent to landfill. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Looking after the environment)

6. A resident wants to reduce their impact on the environment in the way the handbook suggests. Which everyday action best reflects this?

1. Recycling household waste rather than throwing it all away
2. Driving everywhere to avoid using public transport
3. Leaving all the lights on to feel safer at home
4. Refusing to sort any rubbish at all

The handbook encourages looking after the environment by recycling as much as possible to cut down on landfill waste. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Looking after the environment)

7. What is the minimum age to become a school governor in England, or a member of a school board in Scotland?

1. 18 or over, with no upper age limit
2. 16 or over, with no upper age limit
3. 21 or over, up to a maximum age of 70
4. 25 or over, up to a maximum age of 65

School governors and Scottish school board members must be aged 18 or over at the date of election or appointment, and there is no upper age limit. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: School governors and school boards)

8. A parent aged 45 would like to volunteer to help run their child's school. Are they eligible to become a school governor?

1. Yes, because governors must be 18 or over and there is no upper age limit
2. No, because governors must be under 40
3. No, because only paid teachers can serve
4. Only if they first stand for the local council

Anyone aged 18 or over can become a school governor as there is no upper age limit, so a 45-year-old parent is eligible. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: School governors and school boards)

9. Which of the following is listed in the handbook as a civic responsibility of citizens and permanent residents?

1. Looking after the area in which you live and the environment
2. Paying for everyone else's National Insurance
3. Standing for Parliament at least once
4. Joining a political party of your choice

Civic responsibilities include obeying and respecting the law, treating others fairly, looking after yourself and your family, and looking after your local area and the environment. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — The values and principles of the UK / Your role in the community)

10. Which of these is described in the handbook as a civic responsibility you are expected to fulfil?

1. Obeying and respecting the law
2. Owning your own home
3. Speaking only English at all times
4. Voting for the governing party

Obeying and respecting the law is one of the core civic responsibilities expected of citizens and permanent residents. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — The values and principles of the UK / Your role in the community)

11. A resident wants to support the preservation of historic buildings and the countryside through a charity. Which organisation, named in the handbook, would best match this interest?

1. The National Trust
2. HM Revenue and Customs
3. The Electoral Commission
4. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

The National Trust is the handbook's example of a charity that preserves important buildings, coastline and countryside for the public. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Looking after the environment / charities)

12. Which government department is responsible for collecting taxes in the UK?

1. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
2. The Home Office
3. The Bank of England
4. The Electoral Commission

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is the government department responsible for collecting taxes such as Income Tax and National Insurance. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Taxation; corroborated by GOV.UK 'HM Revenue & Customs')

13. Under the system most employees use, how is Income Tax usually paid?

1. It is deducted from wages by the employer through PAYE before they are paid
2. It is paid once every five years in a single lump sum
3. It is collected in cash by HMRC inspectors at the workplace
4. It is only paid by people who choose to opt in

For most employees, Income Tax and National Insurance are deducted from wages by the employer under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Taxation; corroborated by GOV.UK 'Income Tax: how you pay')

14. What does the abbreviation PAYE stand for?

1. Pay As You Earn
2. Pay All Your Earnings
3. Public Allowance for Young Employees
4. Personal Annual Yearly Estimate

PAYE stands for Pay As You Earn, the system by which employers deduct Income Tax and National Insurance from employees' wages. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Taxation; corroborated by GOV.UK 'PAYE')

15. A person is self-employed. How are they normally expected to report their income and pay their tax?

1. By completing a Self Assessment tax return for HMRC
2. By asking their local council to deduct it for them
3. By paying it through their employer's PAYE scheme
4. By doing nothing, as self-employed people pay no tax

Self-employed people pay tax through Self Assessment, completing a tax return so HMRC can work out how much tax and National Insurance is due. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Taxation; corroborated by GOV.UK 'Self Assessment tax returns')

16. What are National Insurance contributions mainly used to help pay for?

1. State benefits and services such as the State Pension and the NHS
2. Council elections and the electoral register
3. The salaries of Members of Parliament only
4. Private school fees for all children

National Insurance contributions help to pay for state benefits and services, including the State Pension and the National Health Service. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — National Insurance; corroborated by GOV.UK 'National Insurance: introduction')

17. Who has to pay National Insurance contributions in the UK?

1. Almost everyone who is employed or self-employed and earns above a certain level
2. Only people who own property
3. Only people who were born outside the UK
4. Only company directors and Members of Parliament

Almost everybody in the UK who is in paid work, whether employed or self-employed, must pay National Insurance contributions once their earnings reach a set level. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — National Insurance; corroborated by GOV.UK 'National Insurance: introduction')

18. A young person is starting their first job. Why will they normally need a National Insurance number?

1. So their National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded correctly against their name
2. So they can register to vote in elections
3. So they can apply for a UK passport
4. So they can serve on a jury

A National Insurance number is a personal account number that ensures a person's National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded correctly; it is needed when starting work. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — National Insurance; corroborated by GOV.UK 'National Insurance: introduction')

19. When does a person usually receive their National Insurance number automatically?

1. Just before their 16th birthday, if they live in the UK
2. On the day they are born
3. Only after they reach the age of 25
4. Only once they have lived in the UK for ten years

Young people living in the UK have traditionally been sent a National Insurance number just before they turn 16. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — National Insurance; corroborated by GOV.UK 'National Insurance number')

20. A newcomer to the UK has started work but does not yet have a National Insurance number. What should they do?

1. Apply to the relevant government office for a National Insurance number
2. Ignore it, as a number is never required for work
3. Ask their local council to issue one immediately
4. Wait until they have lived in the UK for five years before applying

A person who comes to live and work in the UK and does not already have a National Insurance number must apply for one so their contributions are recorded. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — National Insurance; corroborated by GOV.UK 'Apply for a National Insurance number')

21. An employee notices that money for Income Tax and National Insurance has been taken from their payslip before they were paid. Is this correct?

1. Yes, this is how the PAYE system normally works for employees
2. No, employees should never have tax deducted at source
3. No, only self-employed people pay any tax
4. Yes, but only if the employee is a British citizen

Under PAYE, employers deduct Income Tax and National Insurance from employees' wages before paying them, so this is the normal and correct process. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Taxation; corroborated by GOV.UK 'Income Tax: how you pay')

22. Money raised through taxes collected by HMRC is used by the government mainly to do what?

1. Pay for public services such as roads, the NHS, education and defence
2. Pay dividends to private shareholders of HMRC
3. Fund only the upkeep of royal palaces
4. Reimburse charities for all their costs

Taxes collected by HMRC pay for public services, including roads, healthcare, education, the armed forces and other state provision. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Taxation; corroborated by GOV.UK 'How public spending is funded')

23. What is the main purpose of completing a Self Assessment tax return?

1. To tell HMRC about income that has not been taxed automatically so the right tax can be paid
2. To register to vote in a general election
3. To apply to become a school governor
4. To claim a refund of National Insurance from your employer

Self Assessment is the system HMRC uses to collect tax on income that is not taxed at source, such as earnings from self-employment. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Taxation; corroborated by GOV.UK 'Self Assessment tax returns')

24. From which official list are people selected at random to serve on a jury in the UK?

1. The electoral register
2. The national census database
3. The local council tax records
4. The NHS patient register

Jurors are chosen at random from the local electoral register, which is why being on it can lead to a jury summons. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — The role of the courts)

25. What is the age range within which someone on the electoral register can be asked to serve on a jury?

1. 18 to 70
2. 16 to 65
3. 21 to 75
4. 18 to 60

Anyone on the electoral register who is aged 18 to 70 can be asked to serve on a jury. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community / The role of the courts)

26. A 35-year-old whose name appears on the electoral register receives a letter calling them for jury service. Which statement best reflects their position?

1. Serving on a jury is a civic responsibility they can be required to perform
2. Jury service is entirely optional and can be ignored without any consequence
3. Only people who have studied law may be asked to serve on a jury
4. Jury service is reserved for people aged over 50

Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 to 70 can be required to serve, as it is a civic responsibility. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — The role of the courts)

27. What is the minimum age to become a school governor in England and Wales (or a member of the school board in Scotland)?

1. 18 or over, with no upper age limit
2. 21 or over, up to age 65
3. 16 or over, with no upper age limit
4. 25 or over, up to age 70

School governors and members of school boards must be aged 18 or over at the date of election or appointment, and there is no upper age limit. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: School governors and school boards)

28. A 72-year-old British citizen wishes to contribute to their local school's leadership. Which role are they still eligible to take on, given there is no upper age limit?

1. Becoming a school governor or member of the school board
2. Being summoned to serve on a jury
3. Sitting as a juror in a Scottish court
4. Being randomly selected for jury duty from the electoral register

School governors have no upper age limit, whereas jury service applies only to those aged up to 70. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: School governors and school boards)

29. A person in Scotland is told the number of people deciding the verdict in their trial differs from a trial in England. How many jurors will decide the verdict in the Scottish case?

1. 15
2. 12
3. 11
4. 14

A Scottish jury has 15 members, three more than the 12-member jury used in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — The role of the courts)

30. Which of these is described as a way to get involved in your community by working for good causes without being paid?

1. Volunteering
2. Jury service
3. Paying council tax
4. Registering to vote

Volunteering is defined as working for good causes without payment, helping the community and meeting new people. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: Volunteering and helping in your community)

31. A newcomer wants to play a role in how a local primary school is run, attending governing body meetings to help oversee its direction. Which voluntary public role fits this best?

1. Becoming a school governor
2. Serving as a juror
3. Joining the annual canvass team
4. Standing for Parliament

School governors help oversee how a school is run and must be aged 18 or over to be appointed. (Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office) — Your role in the community: School governors and school boards)

32. What is the minimum age at which you can usually apply to drive a car in the UK?

1. 17
2. 16
3. 18
4. 21

In the UK you can usually start to learn to drive and apply to drive a car from the age of 17. (GOV.UK — Driving licences and learning to drive; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office))

33. Before you can drive a car on a public road in the UK, which document must you hold?

1. A valid driving licence
2. A national insurance number card
3. A council tax statement
4. A passport only

You must hold a valid driving licence to drive a car on public roads in the UK. (GOV.UK — Driving licences; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office))

34. Which three things are legally required for most cars driven on UK public roads?

1. A valid driving licence, motor insurance, and vehicle tax
2. A passport, a TV licence, and breakdown cover
3. A residence permit, road tax only, and a satnav
4. A bus pass, an MOT only, and a parking permit

To drive a car on UK roads you generally need a valid driving licence, at least third-party motor insurance, and vehicle tax. (GOV.UK — Driving and transport; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office))

35. From what age does a car normally need its first MOT test in the UK?

1. When it is three years old
2. When it is one year old
3. When it is five years old
4. When it is ten years old

In Great Britain a car must usually have its first MOT test once it is three years old, and then annually. (GOV.UK — Getting an MOT; Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition, Home Office))