Citizenship - The Citizenship Testing Discussion Paper (3 Viewers)

[Aryanbeauty]

OTHER CITIZENSHIP TESTS SAMPLE QUESTIONS

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

What colours are the stripes on the flag?

Name the highest part of the judiciary branch of our government.

In what year was the constitution written?

Which president was the first commander-in-chief of the US military?

CANADA

Who are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada?

Where did the first European settlers in Canada come from?

How many electoral districts in Canada?

What is the capital city or the province or territory in which you live?

GREAT BRITAIN

Which of these courts uses a jury system - magistrates, crown, youth or county court?

Your employer can dismiss you for joining a trade union - true or false?

Which of these telephone numbers can be used to dial the emergency services - 112, 123, 555 or 999?

Which of these statements is correct - a television licence is required for each television in a home or a single television licence covers all televisions in a home?

I think it is a very good idea, even the world's greatest country like USA , UK and Canada have similar test and most european countries like Germany, Netherlans and extreme liberal Scandinavian countries are making it a requirements too including language test of their respective countries.

 

[HotShot]

OTHER CITIZENSHIP TESTS SAMPLE QUESTIONS

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

What colours are the stripes on the flag?

Name the highest part of the judiciary branch of our government.

In what year was the constitution written?

Which president was the first commander-in-chief of the US military?

CANADA

Who are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada?

Where did the first European settlers in Canada come from?

How many electoral districts in Canada?

What is the capital city or the province or territory in which you live?

GREAT BRITAIN

Which of these courts uses a jury system - magistrates, crown, youth or county court?

Your employer can dismiss you for joining a trade union - true or false?

Which of these telephone numbers can be used to dial the emergency services - 112, 123, 555 or 999?

Which of these statements is correct - a television licence is required for each television in a home or a single television licence covers all televisions in a home?

I think it is a very good idea, even the world's greatest country like USA , UK and Canada have similar test and most european countries like Germany, Netherlans and extreme liberal Scandinavian countries are making it a requirements too including language test of their respective countries.

yeah sure?.. ahem:

those questions are ridiculous, u will people offering tutoring to just to pass the test, and then people will be back to normal selves again. again it is pointless and not worthwile.

 

[Snaykew]

We let people into this country who are only here to take advantage of the benefits and don't care about Australia at all. They don't consider themselves Australian at all and don't have any interest in integrating.

A clarification for me, are you assuming all current and past immigrants behave or have a mentality such as you have described?

As for the Australia identity. It's not something you can define. Just think about yourself and the entire Australia population in general, the good things we have, the good qualities we display, the things we stand for. That is what the Australian identiy is.

If you cannot even define it, how are immigrants who have a basic level of English expected to explain it with their limited vocabulary?

This thing is essentially a 'wog-stopper'. It's like using double negatives in speech to mess up those who use english as a second language. It will be muslim targeted...

Lets face it it IS muslim targeted. Ah well.

Just a trend Australia has had. First it was the Europeans, then the Asians, now the Muslims. It'll pass.

Should Australia introduce a formal citizenship test?
Of course.

What level of English is required to participate as an Australian citizen?
A basic level, as some have mentioned already. Enough so they can survive. I think in their 4 years in Australia, they would've learnt it anyway.

How important is knowledge of Australia for Australian citizenship?
Hell, I didn't learn that much about Australian history from school so how are immigrants who may or may not attend school know it as well? Very unimportant, as long as they know the basic laws.

How important is a demonstrated commitment to Australia's way of life and values for those intending to settle permanently in Australia or spend a significant period of time in Australia?
I think there should be a commitment to Australia, but every Australian has a different "way of life" no matter how little or major the difference is. However, they should know to respect other people's values and opinions. Other than that, enjoy life!


Also, integration doesn't mean immigrants give up their original culture to adopt Australian culture. It just means that they can adopt some bits they may like at their own pace. It takes time to change and I don't see why people expect immigrants to change so rapidly. I bet barbeques were unheard of by Asians until they came to Australia, but now its a common thing for them. All that's needed is time for them to learn and adapt to things they like.

I don't think multiculturalism has failed. Although there are places where there is a large concentration of a certain ethnic group, there is also a bigger concentration of settlers(maybe except Cabra! ). I don't see the big deal. These groups will dwindle as their children will be going off to university or live elsewhere for jobs and such. Just my estimate though.

 

[Aryanbeauty]

Why did they think Muslims are targeted or why Muslims feels targeted? There are more immigrants from countries like Thailand, vietnam, China etc who are equally clueless about english like muslims and they will surely have to pass the test too. Why do muslims always whine and victimise themselves?

 

[gerhard]

Why did they think Muslims are targeted or why Muslims feels targeted? There are more immigrants from countries like Thailand, vietnam, China etc who are equally clueless about english like muslims and they will surely have to pass the test too. Why do muslims always whine and victimise themselves?

have you ever read the telegraph? for the last couple of weeks, every day there has been at least one opinion piece that could be taken as being anti muslim. every day the letters to the editor on the opposite page has people saying the same things.

i mean even if you believe that some muslims arent integrating or whatever they are saying, weeks worth of coverage on this issue is just unneccessary.

 

[ElendilPeredhil]

If you cannot even define it, how are immigrants who have a basic level of English expected to explain it with their limited vocabulary?

How important is knowledge of Australia for Australian citizenship?
Hell, I didn't learn that much about Australian history from school so how are immigrants who may or may not attend school know it as well? Very unimportant, as long as they know the basic laws.


.

It’s not exactly Australian values so much as combination of Western values and Australian. To hold Australian values you should believe in fair play, equality of sexes, races and religions, you should be able to live in a democracy, (although you are free to believe that socialism, communism etc are better ways of running a state) and follow the laws. and the next person who rapes a girl and then blames their culture, should be deported back to that culture.

 

[lulabelle]

If there is going to be a Citizenship test it should be restricted to just basic english communication skills. It's completely hypocritical to test migrants on australian history & values etc. I mean Andrew Robb supposed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, strong supporter of the Citizenship test couldn't even answer the question of 'who was the first female elected into the australian house of representatives' which should have been a very simple question for someone like him.

I think the government should be looking at educating migrants rather than testing them.

 

[*Minka*]

OTHER CITIZENSHIP TESTS SAMPLE QUESTIONS

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

What colours are the stripes on the flag?

Name the highest part of the judiciary branch of our government.

In what year was the constitution written?

Which president was the first commander-in-chief of the US military?

CANADA

Who are the Aboriginal peoples of Canada?

Where did the first European settlers in Canada come from?

How many electoral districts in Canada?

What is the capital city or the province or territory in which you live?

GREAT BRITAIN

Which of these courts uses a jury system - magistrates, crown, youth or county court?

Your employer can dismiss you for joining a trade union - true or false?

Which of these telephone numbers can be used to dial the emergency services - 112, 123, 555 or 999?

Which of these statements is correct - a television licence is required for each television in a home or a single television licence covers all televisions in a home?

I think it is a very good idea, even the world's greatest country like USA , UK and Canada have similar test and most european countries like Germany, Netherlans and extreme liberal Scandinavian countries are making it a requirements too including language test of their respective countries.

Some stuff like that are good questions - everyone should know the capital city of at least their state and nation, the flag, general information about the government and history.

However as I have said before, Australian History NEEDS to be taught in schools.

I saw something on SMH.com.au about asking what Donald Bradman's test average was and the difference between Test and One Day cricket. Call me Ub-Australian, but um, I don't really care. I am not into cricket, I don't LIKE it and I know plenty of Australian born women who also hate Cricket. I really hope it was a spoof.

 

[ogmzergrush]

I really hope it was a spoof.

One would assume so.

 

[lengy]

Some stuff like that are good questions - everyone should know the capital city of at least their state and nation, the flag, general information about the government and history.

However as I have said before, Australian History NEEDS to be taught in schools.

I saw something on SMH.com.au about asking what Donald Bradman's test average was and the difference between Test and One Day cricket. Call me Ub-Australian, but um, I don't really care. I am not into cricket, I don't LIKE it and I know plenty of Australian born women who also hate Cricket. I really hope it was a spoof.

Australian history IS taught in school. Anyone who disagrees isn't doing the NSW Board Of Studies curriculum or wasn't taught in Australia. You failed your argument.

 

[ogmzergrush]

Australian history IS taught in school. Anyone who disagrees isn't doing the NSW Board Of Studies curriculum or wasn't taught in Australia. You failed your argument.

I think the point being made was that it needs to be taught effectively, that is to say, with people coming out the other side of it *with* a fucking clue, which is clearly not always the case.

 

[wuddie]

Australian history IS taught in school. Anyone who disagrees isn't doing the NSW Board Of Studies curriculum or wasn't taught in Australia. You failed your argument.

Why should we know about Don Bradman to become an Australian? Believe me, I am all for cricket, a great sport and an integral part of our culture - but you're forcing an immigrant to learn about something they've probably never exposed to?

Having said that, I believe the citizenship test is a great idea - provided they ask basic questions about Australia culture, heritage and identity. What good is it when you become a citizen and don't know much about your country?

 

[ogmzergrush]

Why should we know about Don Bradman to become an Australian? Believe me, I am all for cricket, a great sport and an integral part of our culture - but you're forcing an immigrant to learn about something they've probably never exposed to?

I sometimes wonder what you people are smoking. I don't recall seeing lengy saying anything even remotely like that, and the only reference to Bradman at all that I've seen so far has been in relation to what one would assume was a tongue-in-cheek remark in the SMH?

Edit: and not that I think cricket is remotely important for testing, but your first and second statements there seem to contradict each other. As you said, cricket if included in the testing would expose these people to things they had probably never been exposed to. How is this different to testing on other elements of our history which in their minds are probably equally irrelevant? Presumably they would be equally removed from a lot of the other things which you seem to agree with. Who would decide which bits it was important for people to know?

(Speaking purely about history here, as it's the one I don't see as being entirely within reason, my thoughts on cultural values and identity have been previously stated)

 

[wheredanton]

Some stuff like that are good questions - everyone should know the capital city of at least their state and nation, the flag, general information about the government and history.

However as I have said before, Australian History NEEDS to be taught in schools.

I saw something on SMH.com.au about asking what Donald Bradman's test average was and the difference between Test and One Day cricket. Call me Ub-Australian, but um, I don't really care. I am not into cricket, I don't LIKE it and I know plenty of Australian born women who also hate Cricket. I really hope it was a spoof.

The dons average...my dear its 99.94! How could you NOT know that!? How dare you not be a cricket tragic like wheredanton and The honourable John Howard!

 

[HotShot]

Why should we know about Don Bradman to become an Australian? Believe me, I am all for cricket, a great sport and an integral part of our culture - but you're forcing an immigrant to learn about something they've probably never exposed to?

Having said that, I believe the citizenship test is a great idea - provided they ask basic questions about Australia culture, heritage and identity. What good is it when you become a citizen and don't know much about your country?

if u want to be in the national cricket team of any country, then u need you to know the don's average. u also need to know who is the leading test runscoreer and also the leading odi run scorer. u also need to know the leading wicket taker for both forms of the game.

u need to memorise the entire australian world cup XI. and u need to their nicknames as well.

LOL. gud luck.

 

[ElendilPeredhil]

I think the point being made was that it needs to be taught effectively, that is to say, with people coming out the other side of it *with* a fucking clue, which is clearly not always the case.

I don't think this is true. Obviously the sample wasn't big enough as pretty much everyone I know could answer questions on Basic australian history. It's not like its hard. lol.

We do two years of it in 9&10 and lots of other 'bits' in primary school, but i don't really see why australian history needs to put taught to migrants in great depth. Explain the anzac legend, explain that aboriginals were the traditional owners of this land and make sure they know the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and all the states names.

 

[HotShot]

I don't think this is true. Obviously the sample wasn't big enough as pretty much everyone I know could answer questions on Basic australian history. It's not like its hard. lol.

We do two years of it in 9&10 and lots of other 'bits' in primary school, but i don't really see why australian history needs to put taught to migrants in great depth. Explain the anzac legend, explain that aboriginals were the traditional owners of this land and make sure they know the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and all the states names.

all i can remember from that civis thingy was some names like:
Mabo
Hawke
Whitlam
Pig Iron BOB
um..White Australia Policy
.. on the other i did Elective history in 9 and 10 (same year as civics)
and i remember a whole lot more about that. a lot people hated learning about australian history it was just too boring, its relatively short - and nothin excitin really happens or has any greate significane to how we are now.. and how it has affected other countries.

 

[ogmzergrush]

I don't think this is true. Obviously the sample wasn't big enough as pretty much everyone I know could answer questions on Basic australian history. It's not like its hard. lol.

We do two years of it in 9&10 and lots of other 'bits' in primary school, but i don't really see why australian history needs to put taught to migrants in great depth. Explain the anzac legend, explain that aboriginals were the traditional owners of this land and make sure they know the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and all the states names.

I'm not sure if you've misinterpreted what I've actually said, or just got the wrong impression about what I think from it. The post which you don't think is true is simply saying that people living here who have successfully completed their schooling are not always as clued in on Australian history as one might expect. I know people like this, and I'm not suggesting that they're in the majority, but I think it's a bit optimistic to suggest that they don't exist.

Of course, I only made that observation in relation to someone else stating that it would be silly to assess migrants on their knowledge of our country when there are some individuals born here who would not pass the same test.

That's not a line of argument I took personally, as I just plain don't see it as a fundamental component of being a citizen here. Same goes for the second part of your post, I'd agree that there are far better things to be concerned about in migrants than the depth of their knowledge regarding our history.

 

[otay]

I saw something on SMH.com.au about asking what Donald Bradman's test average was and the difference between Test and One Day cricket. Call me Ub-Australian, but um, I don't really care. I am not into cricket, I don't LIKE it and I know plenty of Australian born women who also hate Cricket. I really hope it was a spoof.

I saw that article too...and it was a CLEAR joke. Besides its 99.94, every1 knows that - you and your friends sound unAustralian.

On a serious note, as long as you acknowledge Shane Warne is a legend and you can sing every word to "Working Class Man" (in English, kills 2 birds with one stone), I reckon that's good enough for me.

 

[ElGronko]

Should Australia introduce a formal citizenship test?

Yes, most definatley. At the moment, sitting the "test" they have involves telling the immigration officer who the Prime Minister is. And from what I could gather the day I went for my interview, at least 50% of the people around me didn't have a bloody clue.

What level of English is required to be an Australian citizen?

The same level of English that someone in Year 2 would be able to speak - ie, one should be able to go to the shops and purchase groceries, to use public transport without a hassle and interact with people on an everyday basis.

And wheredanton, it is a HUGE assumption to to say that



There are immigrants who believe that English is inferior and deliberatley don't learn it because they hate it and because they can speak their own language to everyone else around them.

How important is knowledge of Australia for Australian citizenship?

Absolutley vital. How are you supposed to be proud of a country that you don't know about? How are you supposed to be able to bring yourself to defend a country if you've got no clue? How are you supposed to be able to call yourself an Australian if you simply don't care?

Basic knowledge of Australia, its history and its voting processes (because it is compulsory to vote) is critical because without it you cannot have people participating fully in the state.

How important is a demonstrated commitment to Australia's way of life and values for those intending to settle permanently in Australia or spend a significant period of time in Autralia?

This is less important, but the level has to be raised from where it currently stands. It relates to the point above - I can't see how one would give a damn if they didn't know about our history, culture or values.

One would ask, why would you want to become a citizen if you didn't give a damn to start off with and I'd say to those people, that seeking Australian citizenship is not always about wanting to be Australian and it damn well should. There are plenty of people out there who immigrate from less than stable countries and seek citizenship to be guaranteed the protections that so many of you take for granted.

It is my belief that you should want to be Australian first, have an understanding of what it means to be Australian before you actually become Australian.

EDIT: I agree that people over 60 shouldn't be tested as most of these people are elderly relatives brought to Australia to be cared for by family - in essence, to put it harshly they will be dead soon anyway.

But I vehemently disagree with being under 18 and exempt. There were SO many people I knew at school from China/Korea who hated Australia, disliked it immensely but came here for an education, are fully intending on getting citizenship and my elderly Chinese grandparents put them to shame in the English speaking department. Thats just wrong.

Agree 100%