British citizenship test: values and principles of the UK

Applicants 1)_________ British citizenship will be expected to study a new book called Life in the UK, which goes 2)______ sale 3)______ Monday. Read a sample of its first chapter on the 'values and principles' of the UK

Britain is a fantastic place to live: a modern, thriving society 4)_______ a long and illustrious history. Our people have been 5)_______the heart of the world’s political, scientific, industrial and cultural development. We are proud 6)_______our record of welcoming new migrants who will add 7)______ the diversity and dynamism of our national life.

Applying to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK is an important decision and commitment. You will be agreeing to accept responsibilities which go with permanent residence and to respect the laws, values and traditions of the UK. Good citizens are an asset 8)_____ the UK. We welcome those seeking to make a positive contribution 9)______ our society.

Passing the life in the UK test is part 10)_____ demonstrating that you are ready to become a permanent migrant to the UK. This handbook is designed to support you 11)_____ the preparation. It will help you to integrate 12)______ society and play a full role in your local community. It will also help to ensure that you have a broad general knowledge 13)______the culture, laws and history of UK.

The values and principles of the UK

British society is founded 14)______ fundamental values and principles which all those living in the UK should respect and support. These values are reflected 15)_____ the responsibilities, rights and privileges of being a British citizen or permanent resident of the UK. They are based 16)_____ history and traditions and are protected 17)_______ law, customs and expectations. There is no place in British society 18)______ extremism and intolerance.

The fundamental principles 19)______ British life include:

· Democracy

· The rule of law

· Individual liberty

· Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

· Participation in community life.

As part of the citizenship ceremony, new citizens pledge to uphold these values. The pledge is:

‘I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfill my duties and obligations as a British citizen.

Flowing 20)______ the fundamental principles are responsibilities and freedoms which are shared 21)______ all those living in the UK and which we expect all residents to respect.

If you wish to be a permanent resident or citizen of the UK, you should:

· respect and obey the law

· respect the rights of others, including their right to their own opinion

· treat others with fairness

· look 22)______yourself and your family

· look 23)______ the area in which you live and the environment.

24)______ return, the UK offers:

· freedom of belief and religion

· freedom of speech

· freedom from unfair discrimination

· a right to a fair trial

· a right to join in the election of a government.

Becoming a permanent resident

To apply to become a permanent resident or a citizen of the UK, you will need to:

· speak and read English

· have a good understanding of life in the UK.

(from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide to New Residents)

Ex. 19 Writea sample of the first chapter of a new book called Life in the Russian Federation: A Guide to New Residents on the 'values and principles' of the Russian Federation.

Ex.20 Insert words or word combinations from the box. Read the text about American values and be ready to add an account of Russian values:

a) the power b) placed on them c) to control d) take responsibility e) lie at the root f) risk g) lose the respect h) circumstances of birth i) achieve success j) of great importance k) to take l) cultural beliefs m) the same opportunity n) in the smallest detail o) are protected p) no monopoly of power q) highly respected r) multiple aspects s) reflects t) solve u) historically based v) has a long tradition w) to advance the happiness x) “self-made” men and women y) take priority

What are “American Values”?

According to Datesman, Crandall and Kearney in their leading book on American values, The American Ways, “what binds Americans from all backgrounds and races together is a sense of national identity.” They name six basic American values that 1)­­­­­­_______________of American national identity. Additionally, you’ll note that the values often relate to or build upon each other. In any society, values are often intertwined.

1. Individual Freedom.

This is also called “individualism” or the right 2)_____________ your own destiny. This freedom is the basis of American identity and is manifested in 3)________________of American culture: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of press, to name a few. Individual freedom also underscores family structure.

2. Self-Reliance.

This is sometimes interpreted as personal responsibility. One must be self-reliant to maintain his or her individual freedom, and one must also 4) _______________for his or her actions. The expression: “stand on one’s own two feet” comes from this essential American value. Americans are expected 5) ______________care of themselves and 6)_______________ their own problems. If someone does not appear self-reliant they 7) _______________of those around them.

Also, if one does not take responsibility for one’s actions (mistakes), one 8) ______________losing respect as well.

3. Equality of Opportunity.

This value prescribes an equal opportunity for success despite anyone’s 9)__________________, upbringing or socio-economic situation. This value connects to self-reliance and individual freedom. Everyone has 10) ___________________to control his or her own destiny (individual freedom), so everyone is expected to be self-reliant about achieving success.

4. Hard Work.

This is also known as “work ethic.” Only through hard work can one 11)__________________. This value very much supports the value of Equality of Opportunity. While everyone has 12) ____________________to succeed in the United States, it is up to each person to work hard and acquire his or her own success.

5. Competition.

This value is seen as the means by which individual freedom, equality of opportunity and hard work 13)___________________. One must compete with others in order to succeed, so competition protects the freedom of the individual by ensuring that there is 14)____________________, particularly in business.

This idea begins in early childhood with playing competitive sports; one must compete to win. Both competition itself and winning (through hard work and honesty) are 15) ______________and admired in American culture. Americans respect 16) _____________________and expect success to be acquired through competition and hard work, not birth.

6. Material Wealth.

This value is more than mere “materialism.” While wealth 17) _______________social status, an important component of this status is that it is seen as the natural reward to hard work. While some see it as the “rags to riches” story, it is important to note that this story was 18) _________________on the idea of going from impoverishment to living a comfortable middle class life – not acquiring extreme wealth.

Moreover, there are a few 19) _________________that are offshoots to these six values that Americans identify with implicitly and recognize as values: the underdog, individualism within the family, and time management.

According to Charles H. Webb, professor of English at California State University/Long Beach, “The United States began as a nation of underdogs, and 20) __________________of rooting for the ‘little guy.’ This value ties into the concepts of equal opportunity and the work ethic. Underdogs must have the opportunity…to improve their lot.”

Some sociologists explain that Americans’ desire for freedom from outside control clearly extends to the family; they don’t like to have controls 21) _________________by other family members. They want to make independent decisions. What would be best for the family is not usually considered to be as important as what would be best for the individual. Americans view the family as a group whose primary purpose is 22) _________________of individual members. The result is that the needs of each individual 23) __________________in the life of the family.

Finally, “time,” for the average American, is 24)__________________. In the words of Dr. L. Robert Kohls, Director of International Programs at San Francisco State University, “Schedules, for the American, are meant to be planned and then followed 25)_____________________. American English is filled with references to time, giving a clear indication of how much it is valued. Time is something to be "on," to be "kept," "filled," or "saved,"

that can be "used," "spent," "wasted," "lost," "gained," "planned," "given," "made the most of," or even "killed."