British Values Questions
Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance. These questions are among the most straightforward marks in the test.
Last updated
What this part of the test covers
The handbook sets out the values that British life is built on. They are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of people with different beliefs.
This part also covers your rights and duties: equal treatment, a fair trial, jury service, and the oath new citizens take.
Below are 13 practice questions on British values and the law, with the answers explained.
- The four fundamental values in the handbook
- The rule of law, and why nobody is above it
- Freedom of speech, belief and religion
- Equality law and protection from discrimination
- Rights in court, jury service and the oath of allegiance
Before you answer these, it is worth reading the British Values chapter in our free study guide.
Practice questions with answers
Here are 13 questions from our bank. The correct answer is marked with a tick, and under each one is a short reason.
Question 1. Which of the following is one of the fundamental principles of British life?
Topic: Values & Principles
- Mandatory church attendance
- The rule of law(correct answer)
- Deference to the monarchy in all matters
- Compulsory military service
Why: Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance are the main British values in the handbook.
Question 2. What does 'individual liberty' mean as a British value?
Topic: Values & Principles
- The right to do anything without consequence
- Freedom from any form of government regulation
- The freedom of individuals to live their lives as they choose within the law(correct answer)
- The right of wealthy individuals to govern themselves
Why: Individual liberty means you are free to make your own choices, as long as you obey the law.
Question 3. What is the principle of 'tolerance' as it applies to British values?
Topic: Values & Principles
- Allowing others to practise any religion or hold any belief, however harmful
- Accepting and respecting the rights of others to hold different beliefs and live differently, within the law(correct answer)
- Tolerating unlawful behaviour to preserve social harmony
- Agreeing with all viewpoints equally
Why: Tolerance means accepting that other people hold beliefs and opinions that are different from yours.
Question 4. Which of the following correctly describes the principle of democracy in the UK?
Topic: Values & Principles
- Only property owners can vote
- Citizens choose their representatives through free and fair elections(correct answer)
- The monarch has ultimate say over government policy
- Parliament can only be elected every ten years
Why: Democracy means the people choose the government. Everyone aged 18 and over can vote in a general election.
Question 5. Freedom of religion in the UK means that:
Topic: Values & Principles
- Only Christian faiths are permitted to worship publicly
- The government decides which religions may practise
- People are free to practise any religion or no religion at all(correct answer)
- Religious groups must register with the government before worshipping
Why: Freedom of religion means you can follow any religion, or none at all. Nobody can force you.
Question 6. What is the significance of 'habeas corpus' in British law?
Topic: Values & Principles
- It prevents the government from raising taxes without Parliament's consent
- It requires the government to justify any detention of a person before a court(correct answer)
- It prevents double jeopardy in criminal trials
- It gives citizens the right to trial by jury in all cases
Why: Habeas corpus stops people being held in prison without a reason. You must be brought before a court.
Question 7. What does the Equality Act 2010 protect against?
Topic: Values & Principles
- Discrimination based on economic wealth or social class only
- Discrimination based on protected characteristics including age, disability, race, sex, and religion(correct answer)
- Only discrimination in the workplace and employment situations
- Discrimination by private individuals in all circumstances
Why: The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to treat someone unfairly because of things like race, sex, age or religion.
Practise all british values questions
Drill this one topic on its own, with no timer and an explanation on every answer.
Practise this topicMore practice questions
Question 1. What is the Human Rights Act 1998?
Topic: Values & Principles
- An act establishing a British Bill of Rights replacing the European Convention
- An act incorporating the rights from the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law(correct answer)
- An act giving Parliament the right to override human rights rulings from courts
- An act establishing the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Why: The Human Rights Act 1998 brought the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
Question 2. What is the presumption of innocence?
Topic: Values & Principles
- The principle that only people from good backgrounds should be presumed innocent
- The principle that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law(correct answer)
- The right of defendants to refuse to give evidence at their own trial
- The principle that police must obtain a warrant before making any arrest
Why: You are innocent until you are proved guilty. The other side has to prove the case against you.
Question 3. What is the right to a fair trial?
Topic: Values & Principles
- The right to be acquitted if the court makes any procedural error
- The right to have criminal charges decided impartially, with the opportunity to hear evidence and present a defence(correct answer)
- The right to choose which judge hears your case
- The right to have all trials heard before a jury of 12 people
Why: Everyone has the right to a fair trial. Trials are held in public and the judge must be independent.
Question 4. What does 'the rule of law' require?
Topic: Values & Principles
- That judges must follow government instructions when deciding cases
- That everyone, including the government and the monarch, is subject to and equal before the law(correct answer)
- That the Prime Minister has authority over all courts and can override their decisions
- That Parliament can pass any law, including ones that restrict citizens' fundamental rights
Why: The rule of law means everyone must obey the law. Nobody is above it, not even the government.
Question 5. What is jury service?
Topic: Values & Principles
- Voluntary work in community courts that anyone can sign up for
- A civic duty requiring eligible citizens to serve as jurors in court trials when called(correct answer)
- Service on a panel that advises judges on sentencing
- An optional role in which citizens observe court proceedings
Why: Jury service is a duty. You may be asked to sit on a jury and decide whether someone is guilty.
Question 6. What is the oath of allegiance?
Topic: Values & Principles
- A promise made by MPs to uphold the British constitution
- A formal oath sworn by new citizens at a citizenship ceremony to be loyal to the monarch and obey the laws of the UK(correct answer)
- A commitment made by soldiers on joining the armed forces
- A declaration by new immigrants of their intention to comply with visa conditions
Why: New citizens make an oath of allegiance at a citizenship ceremony. They promise loyalty to the country.
These are not the real exam questions. Those are not published by anyone. Ours are written from the same official handbook and use the same format.
How to use these questions
Reading answers helps. Answering questions yourself helps more. Do both, in this order.
- Read the British Values chapter once.
- Drill this one topic with practice by topic. There is no timer.
- Read the reason under every question you got wrong, and every one you guessed.
- When all six topics feel steady, sit a full mock test against the clock.
You need 18 out of 24 to pass. Aim for 22 or more in practice before you book.
For a mixed set across all six topics, see our questions and answers page.
Common questions
What are the fundamental British values?
Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Taking part in community life is also expected.
Are values questions easier than history questions?
Many people find them easier, because they are about principles rather than dates. You still need to know the exact wording the handbook uses.
Do I need to know specific laws?
A few by name, such as the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998. You need to know what they do, not their detail.
What is the oath of allegiance?
It is the promise new citizens make at their citizenship ceremony. The handbook expects you to know that the ceremony and the oath exist.
Where do these questions come from?
They are written from the official handbook. They are not the real exam questions, which are not published by anyone.
Take a full mock test
24 questions across all six topics, 45 minutes, marked against the real pass mark.
Start a free mock test