Life in the UK test questions on the citizenship ceremony
New citizens are invited to a ceremony, usually arranged by their local council and held within three months of the decision. There they swear an oath of allegiance to the King, or make an affirmation instead if they would rather not swear by God, and then make a pledge to the UK. Each new citizen is given a certificate of British citizenship at the end.
Below are 6 free questions on the citizenship ceremony, taken from handbook section 1.4. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.
Practise the citizenship ceremony
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Questions and answers on the citizenship ceremony
The same 6 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.
1. What do new citizens do at a citizenship ceremony?
- Give an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of loyalty, and a pledge — correct answer
- Sit a second written test
- Sign the electoral register
- Give a short speech about their home country
At the ceremony new citizens swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch, or make an affirmation of loyalty, and then make a pledge to the UK. Handbook section 1.4.
2. Select the TWO things a new citizen does at a citizenship ceremony.
- Make an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of loyalty — correct answer
- Make a pledge to the UK — correct answer
- Sit a written examination
- Hand in their previous passport
At the ceremony you make either an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of loyalty, and then you make the pledge. There is no exam and you do not surrender another passport. Handbook section 1.4.
3. In the pledge, new citizens give their loyalty to which of these?
- The United Kingdom — correct answer
- The county they live in
- The European Union
- The country they were born in
The pledge gives loyalty to the United Kingdom and promises to respect its rights and freedoms and to uphold its democratic values. Handbook section 1.4.
4. Why might someone make an affirmation instead of swearing an oath at their ceremony?
- Because they prefer not to swear by God — correct answer
- Because they cannot attend in person
- Because they are under the age of 18
- Because they hold another nationality
People who would rather not swear by God make an affirmation of loyalty instead. Both forms of words have exactly the same effect. Handbook section 1.4.
5. What do new citizens receive at their citizenship ceremony?
- A certificate of British citizenship — correct answer
- A British passport
- A National Insurance number
- A polling card
You are presented with a certificate of British citizenship at the ceremony. A passport is applied for separately, using that certificate. Handbook section 1.4.
6. What does the pledge made at a citizenship ceremony promise?
- Loyalty to the UK, respect for its rights and freedoms, and obedience to its laws — correct answer
- That you will never leave the UK
- That you will give up any other nationality
- That you will vote at every election
In the pledge, new citizens promise loyalty to the United Kingdom, respect for its rights and freedoms, and that they will uphold its democratic values and obey its laws. Handbook section 1.4.
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