Life in the UK Test Glossary

The ending of a practice or institution through political or legal change.

Example: Abolition of the slave trade in 1807 is distinct from slavery abolition legislation in 1833.

A cricket series between England and Australia.

Example: The Ashes belongs with cricket; Wimbledon belongs with tennis.

An officially designated public holiday; calendars differ across the UK.

Example: A cultural celebration is not automatically a bank holiday in every UK nation.

The annual occasion on 25 January celebrating Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Example: Poetry and a traditional supper are associated with Burns Night.

The group of senior government ministers led by the Prime Minister.

Example: The Cabinet belongs to government, not to the court system.

The principal city associated with a country or territory’s government.

Example: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the capitals of the UK’s four constituent parts.

An organisation established for charitable purposes, operating within the relevant legal framework.

Example: A charity may support a community project or people in need.

Membership of a state with rights and responsibilities defined by that state’s law.

Example: Passing the knowledge test does not by itself make an applicant a British citizen.

Taking part in the life of a community or public affairs.

Example: Volunteering or raising a concern with a representative can be civic participation.

Law dealing with matters such as disputes between individuals or organisations.

Example: A claim about an unpaid contractual debt is a civil-law example.

The body of officials supporting the administration and work of government.

Example: Civil servants support departments across changes in political leadership.

Armed conflict between groups within the same country.

Example: The English Civil War involved conflict between supporters of the Crown and Parliament.

An act or occasion of remembering a person or event.

Example: Remembrance commemorates those who died in war.

An association of independent countries with shared cooperation and historical connections.

Example: The Commonwealth is not a present-day British Empire.

An electoral area represented by an MP in the House of Commons.

Example: In a UK general election, voters choose their constituency MP.

A system in which a monarch is head of state and royal powers operate within constitutional rules and conventions.

Example: The monarch does not personally decide every government policy.

Law concerning offences dealt with through the criminal justice system.

Example: A prosecution for an offence is different from a private contractual dispute.

A self-governing dependency of the Crown that is not part of the United Kingdom.

Example: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are Crown Dependencies.

The process through which colonies become independent or colonial rule ends.

Example: Many countries gained independence as the British Empire changed after the Second World War.

A system in which people have a voice in government, including by choosing representatives through elections.

Example: Voters choosing an MP is an example of democratic participation.

The transfer of certain powers to institutions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland within the UK.

Example: The Senedd has devolved responsibilities in Wales; devolution is not independence.

A collection of territories or peoples governed or controlled by an imperial power.

Example: The British Empire’s history includes colonial rule, exploitation, resistance and decolonisation.

The political change of 1688 associated with the removal of James II and the accession of William and Mary.

Example: Connect it with the Bill of Rights of 1689 and changing royal authority.

The executive responsible for developing policy and running public administration.

Example: Ministers lead departments; Parliament can question their decisions.

The name referring to England, Scotland and Wales, excluding Northern Ireland.

Example: Cardiff and Edinburgh are in Great Britain; Belfast is in Northern Ireland.

The elected House of the UK Parliament, whose members are MPs.

Example: A constituency elects an MP to represent it in the Commons.

The second House of the UK Parliament, which examines legislation and scrutinises government.

Example: The Lords is distinct from the elected House of Commons.

A person’s freedom to make choices within the law.

Example: A person may choose their lawful beliefs rather than being required to share a neighbour’s beliefs.

The transformation of production and society through developments such as mechanisation, factories and steam power.

Example: A factory using powered machinery illustrates industrial change rather than religious reform.

A group of people selected to decide questions of fact in a trial using a jury.

Example: Jurors and the judge have different roles; a jury does not pass Acts of Parliament.

Laws enacted through the relevant law-making process.

Example: An Act of Parliament is legislation; a proposal for an Act is a Bill.

An elected local authority responsible for a range of services and decisions in its area.

Example: A councillor and an MP represent people at different levels of government.

The charter agreed by King John in 1215 that limited royal power and became associated with the rule of law.

Example: Its later significance should not be confused with introducing universal voting rights in 1215.

A Member of Parliament, usually used to refer to an elected member of the House of Commons.

Example: An MP represents a constituency; a local councillor has a different role.

Treating other people fairly and recognising their dignity and rights.

Example: Listening to another person’s view before responding illustrates respect during disagreement.

The National Health Service, associated with public healthcare in the UK.

Example: 1948 is the historical anchor for the establishment of the NHS.

The conquest of England associated with William of Normandy’s victory in 1066.

Example: The Battle of Hastings is an anchor event for the Norman Conquest.

The part of the island of Ireland that forms part of the United Kingdom.

Example: Belfast is its capital; the Republic of Ireland is a separate state.

The UK legislature, comprising the Commons, Lords and Crown, with law-making and scrutiny functions.

Example: Parliament examines government; it is not simply another name for the Cabinet.

A saint traditionally associated with a place, group or activity.

Example: St David is associated with Wales; St Andrew with Scotland.

An antibiotic associated with Alexander Fleming’s discovery in 1928.

Example: Connect Fleming with penicillin rather than Darwin’s theory of evolution.

The head of the UK government.

Example: The Prime Minister and the monarch have different roles: head of government and head of state.

A vote asking the electorate to answer a specific question.

Example: A referendum is different from an election choosing a constituency representative.

A period of major religious change involving challenges to the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and the development of Protestant churches.

Example: Henry VIII’s break with Rome belongs to this religious and political context.

Something a person is expected or required to do.

Example: Obeying the law and treating other people fairly are responsibilities discussed in the handbook.

The return of the monarchy in 1660 after a period without a monarch.

Example: Charles II is associated with the Restoration.

A freedom or protection a person has, subject to its legal context and limits.

Example: Freedom to hold a belief is different from requiring everyone else to adopt it.

The principle that law applies to everyone, including people who exercise public power.

Example: Being a minister does not give a person permission to ignore the law.

Careful examination of decisions, proposals or activity, including holding government to account.

Example: Parliamentary questions and committee work can scrutinise government.

Permission to live in the UK without a time limit, subject to the relevant immigration rules.

Example: Indefinite Leave to Remain is a form of settlement; it is not the same status as citizenship.

The right to vote in political elections.

Example: Voting reform in 1918 and 1928 concerned the extension and equalisation of suffrage.

Respect for others’ freedom to hold different lawful beliefs or ways of life, without having to agree with them.

Example: Neighbours can follow different religions and still treat one another respectfully.

The state consisting of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Example: The full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Giving time or skills to help others without treating the activity as paid employment.

Example: Helping a local community group is one form of volunteering.

A system of linked information accessed over the internet, associated with Tim Berners-Lee’s work at CERN.

Example: The Web and the internet are related, but not identical terms.