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Flashcards in this deck (482)
  • The annual Remembrance Day service is attended by the Queen, politicians, and foreign ambassadors at the Cenotaph.

    history events uk
  • Modern British architects like Sir Norman Foster, Lord (Richard) Rogers, and Dame Zaha Hadid work on major projects in the UK and around the world.

    architecture design uk
  • In the 18th century, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown designed grounds around country houses to appear natural with grass, trees, and lakes.

    garden landscaping history
  • Gertrude Jekyll often collaborated with Edwin Lutyens to create colourful gardens around houses.

    garden design collaboration
  • The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event that showcases garden design from Britain and around the world.

    events garden design
  • Notable British designers include Thomas Chippendale (furniture), Clarice Cliff (Art Deco ceramics), and Sir Terence Conran (interior design).

    design history uk
  • Leading fashion designers include Mary Quant, Alexander McQueen, and Vivienne Westwood.

    fashion design uk
  • Several British writers, including Sir William Golding, Seamus Heaney, and Harold Pinter, have won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

    literature awards uk
  • Agatha Christie is known for her detective stories, while Ian Fleming introduced James Bond.

    literature authors fiction
  • In 2003, The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien was voted the country's best-loved novel.

    literature novels uk
  • The Man Booker Prize for Fiction has been awarded annually since 1968 for the best fiction novel by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland, or Zimbabwe.

    awards literature uk
  • Jane Austen (1775–1817) wrote novels like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, focusing on marriage and family relationships.

    literature authors uk
  • Charles Dickens (1812–70) is famous for novels like Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, with characters like Scrooge and Mr Micawber.

    literature authors uk
  • Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) wrote famous books such as Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

    literature authors uk
  • Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) focused on rural society in novels like Far from the Madding Crowd and Jude the Obscure.

    literature authors uk
  • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) is best known for his stories about Sherlock Holmes, one of the first fictional detectives.

    literature detectives uk
  • Evelyn Waugh (1903–66) wrote satirical novels, including Decline and Fall and Brideshead Revisited.

    literature authors uk
  • Sir Kingsley Amis (1922–95) was an English novelist known for his book Lucky Jim.

    literature authors uk
  • Graham Greene (1904–91) wrote novels influenced by his religious beliefs, including The Heart of the Matter and Brighton Rock.

    literature authors uk
  • J K Rowling (1965–) is famous for the Harry Potter series, which has enjoyed huge international success.

    literature authors uk
  • The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf tells of its hero's battles against monsters and is still translated into modern English.

    literature poetry history
  • Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are examples of Middle Ages poetry.

    literature poetry history
  • Shakespeare wrote many sonnets and some longer poems.

    literature shakespeare poetry
  • John Milton wrote Paradise Lost inspired by his Protestant views.

    literature john_milton poetry
  • William Wordsworth was inspired by nature in his poetry.

    literature william_wordsworth poetry
  • Sir Walter Scott wrote poems inspired by Scotland and traditional stories.

    literature sir_walter_scott poetry
  • Poetry was very popular in the 19th century with poets like William Blake and John Keats.

    literature 19th_century poetry
  • Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon wrote about their experiences in the First World War.

    literature first_world_war poetry
  • Some well-known poets are buried in Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey.

    literature poets_corner history
  • Famous lines by Robert Browning include: ‘Oh, to be in England now that April’s there.’

    literature robert_browning poetry
  • Lord Byron wrote, ‘She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes.’

    literature lord_byron poetry
  • William Wordsworth wrote, ‘I wander’d lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills.’

    literature william_wordsworth poetry
  • William Blake's famous line is, ‘Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright in the forests of the night.’

    literature william_blake poetry
  • Wilfred Owen wrote, ‘What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?’

    literature wilfred_owen poetry
  • People in the UK spend their leisure time in many different ways.

    culture leisure uk
  • Many people in the UK enjoy gardening, often tending to their own gardens.

    culture gardening uk
  • Famous gardens to visit include Kew Gardens, Sissinghurst, and Hidcote.

    culture gardening uk
  • The flowers associated with each part of the UK are: England – rose, Scotland – thistle, Wales – daffodil, Northern Ireland – shamrock.

    culture flowers uk
  • Shopping areas in the UK are often called the town centre.

    culture shopping uk
  • Most shops in the UK are open seven days a week, but hours may be reduced on Sundays.

    culture shopping uk
  • Many people in the UK enjoy cooking and preparing food.

    culture cooking uk
  • In the UK, public holidays are generally reduced. Many towns also have markets on one or more days a week, where stallholders sell a variety of goods.

    holidays markets uk
  • Many people in the UK enjoy cooking and often invite each other to their homes for dinner.

    cooking food uk
  • Traditional food in England includes Roast beef served with potatoes, vegetables, and Yorkshire puddings.

    food traditions england
  • In Wales, a traditional snack called Welsh cakes is made from flour, dried fruits, and spices.

    food traditions wales
  • Scotland is known for Haggis, which is a sheep’s stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions, and oatmeal.

    food traditions scotland
  • The Ulster fry is a traditional meal from Northern Ireland that includes bacon, eggs, sausage, and various breads.

    food traditions northern_ireland
  • The UK has had a major influence on modern cinema, with films first shown publicly in 1896.

    cinema history uk
  • British filmmakers became famous for clever special effects, an area of expertise since the early days of cinema.

    cinema special_effects uk
  • Sir Charles Chaplin became famous in silent movies for his tramp character and had a career in Hollywood.

    actors hollywood uk
  • Eminent directors like Sir Alfred Hitchcock left for Hollywood but remained important until his death in 1980.

    directors hollywood history
  • British comedies in the 1950s and 1960s included films like Passport to Pimlico and The Ladykillers.

    comedy films uk
  • Many films produced in the UK are made by foreign companies, utilizing British expertise.

    films foreign_companies uk
  • The Harry Potter and James Bond franchises are among the most commercially successful films produced in the UK.

    films franchises uk
  • Ealing Studios is claimed to be the oldest continuously working film studio facility in the world.

    studios history uk
  • Nick Park, known for his animated films, has won four Oscars, including three for films featuring Wallace and Gromit.

    animation oscars uk
  • Actors like Sir Lawrence Olivier and David Niven starred in a variety of popular films, winning awards worldwide.

    actors awards uk
  • Recent British actors who won Oscars include Colin Firth, Dame Judi Dench, and Tilda Swinton.

    actors oscars uk
  • The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) are the British equivalent of the Oscars.

    awards bafta uk
  • Famous British films include The 39 Steps (1935) directed by Alfred Hitchcock and Brief Encounter (1945) directed by David Lean.

    films directors uk
  • Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) are notable British films directed by David Lean and Mike Newell respectively.

    films directors uk
  • British comedy traditions include satire, showcasing the ability to laugh at societal norms.

    comedy traditions uk
  • The film Four Weddings and a Funeral was directed by Mike Newell in 1994.

    film directors 1994
  • Touching the Void is a film directed by Kevin MacDonald released in 2003.

    film directors 2003
  • British comedy emphasizes the traditions of comedy and satire, reflecting the UK character.

    comedy satire uk
  • In medieval times, jesters entertained kings and nobles by making fun of people in the Court.

    history comedy jesters
  • Shakespeare included comic characters in his plays during the Renaissance period.

    literature shakespeare comedy
  • In the 18th century, political cartoons became popular, often targeting politicians and the Royal Family.

    history politics cartoons
  • The satirical magazine Punch was first published in the 1840s.

    history satire punch
  • Private Eye is a magazine that continues the tradition of satire in the UK.

    satire magazines media
  • British music halls featured comedians before television became the leading form of entertainment.

    entertainment comedy music_halls
  • Comedians like Morecambe and Wise became stars of television after performing in music halls.

    comedy television morecambe_and_wise
  • Situation comedies or sitcoms often explore family life and workplace relationships.

    comedy tv sitcoms
  • That Was The Week That Was and Spitting Image are examples of satirical TV shows from the UK.

    satire tv shows
  • Monty Python’s Flying Circus introduced a new type of progressive comedy in 1969.

    comedy monty_python 1969
  • Stand-up comedy has gained popularity in recent years as a form of live entertainment.

    comedy stand-up entertainment
  • In the UK, a television licence is required to watch TV, computer, or other media.

    tv licence uk
  • People over 75 can apply for a free TV licence, while blind people get a 50% discount.

    tv licence discount
  • The BBC is funded by TV licences and is the largest broadcaster in the world.

    bbc broadcasting funding
  • Unlike the BBC, other UK channels are primarily funded through advertisements and subscriptions.

    media funding advertisements
  • There are many different radio stations in the UK, some broadcasting nationally and others regionally.

    radio uk media
  • BBC radio stations are also funded by TV licences, while others rely on advertisements.

    radio funding bbc
  • Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter help people stay in touch and share opinions.

    social_media networking opinions
  • Pubs are a significant part of UK social culture, serving as local gathering spots for friends.

    social_culture pubs uk
  • Most communities in the UK have a local pub that acts as a focal point for social activities.

    social_culture pubs community
  • In the UK, people must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in a pub or night club. People under that age may be allowed in some pubs with an adult.

    pubs alcohol uk
  • At age 16, people can drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant if accompanied by someone over 18.

    pubs alcohol uk
  • Pubs usually open during the day from 11.00 am (or 12 noon on Sundays). Night clubs typically open and close later than pubs.

    pubs nightclubs uk
  • In the UK, you have to be 18 to enter betting shops or gambling clubs. There is a National Lottery with weekly draws.

    gambling lottery uk
  • People under 16 are not allowed to participate in the National Lottery.

    gambling lottery uk
  • In the UK, it is against the law to treat a pet cruelly or to neglect it.

    pets law uk
  • All dogs in public must wear a collar showing the owner's name and address. The owner is responsible for keeping the dog under control.

    pets law uk
  • Vaccinations and medical treatment for animals are available from veterinary surgeons (vets).

    pets vets uk
  • The UK has a large network of public footpaths in the countryside, with opportunities for mountain biking and hill walking.

    countryside outdoors uk
  • The UK has 15 national parks in England, Wales, and Scotland that are areas of protected countryside.

    national_parks countryside uk
  • The National Trust works to preserve important buildings and countryside in the UK and was founded in 1895.

    charity preservation uk
  • Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the Houses of Parliament in London, which is over 150 years old.

    landmarks big_ben uk
  • The Eden Project in Cornwall houses plants from all over the world and runs environmental and social projects.

    eden_project charity uk
  • Edinburgh Castle is a dominant feature of the skyline in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a history dating back to the early Middle Ages.

    edinburgh_castle history uk
  • The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is a land formation of columns made from volcanic lava, formed about 50 million years ago.

    giant's_causeway geology uk
  • The Giant's Causeway is a land formation of columns made from volcanic lava formed about 50 million years ago.

    geography landforms history
  • Loch Lomond is the largest expanse of fresh water in mainland Britain, located in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park which covers 720 square miles.

    geography nationalparks scotland
  • The London Eye is a Ferris wheel located on the southern bank of the River Thames and is 443 feet tall.

    landmarks london tourism
  • Snowdonia is a national park in North Wales covering 838 square miles, with its most famous landmark being Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.

    geography nationalparks wales
  • The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and is famous for housing the Crown Jewels.

    history landmarks london
  • The Lake District is England's largest national park at 885 square miles, known for its lakes and mountains, with Windermere as the largest stretch of water.

    geography nationalparks england
  • The UK is a parliamentary democracy with the monarch as head of state, where the adult population has a say through voting.

    government democracy uk
  • In the 19th century, only a small group of men over 21 and property owners could vote, but reforms in 1918 extended voting rights to women over 30.

    history voting reforms
  • The Chartists campaigned for six reforms including secret ballots and for any man to be able to stand as an MP.

    history politics reforms
  • The British constitution is a set of principles governing the country and includes all of the institutions that make up this system.

    government constitution uk
  • In 1969, the voting age was reduced to 18 for men and women.

    history voting uk
  • A constitution is a set of principles by which a country is governed, including laws and conventions.

    government constitution uk
  • The British constitution is described as unwritten because it is not in a single document, unlike the constitutions of America or France.

    government constitution uk
  • In the UK, the main constitutional institutions include the monarchy, Parliament, Prime Minister, cabinet, judiciary, and police.

    government institutions uk
  • Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of the UK and also the monarch for many Commonwealth countries.

    monarchy queen uk
  • The UK has a constitutional monarchy, meaning the monarch does not rule but appoints the government chosen by the people.

    monarchy government uk
  • The Queen has reigned since 1952 and celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

    monarchy queen history
  • The Queen's important ceremonial roles include the opening of the new parliamentary session and summarising the government's policies in a speech.

    monarchy ceremony uk
  • The National Anthem of the UK is ‘God Save the Queen’, played at important national occasions.

    national_anthem uk music
  • New citizens swear loyalty to the Queen as part of the citizenship ceremony.

    citizenship loyalty uk
  • The Oath of allegiance includes a pledge to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

    oath citizenship uk
  • The Affirmation of allegiance is a solemn declaration affirming loyalty to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

    affirmation citizenship uk
  • Upon becoming a British citizen, I declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.

    citizenship allegiance uk
  • The system of government in the UK is a parliamentary democracy.

    government uk democracy
  • In a General Election, voters elect their member of Parliament (MP) in parliamentary constituencies.

    elections mps uk
  • The House of Commons is regarded as the more important chamber because its members are democratically elected.

    house_of_commons parliament uk
  • The Prime Minister and almost all cabinet members are members of the House of Commons.

    prime_minister cabinet house_of_commons
  • MPs have several responsibilities including: - representing everyone in their constituency - helping to create new laws - scrutinising government actions - debating important national issues.

    mps responsibilities uk
  • Members of the House of Lords, known as peers, are not elected by the people.

    house_of_lords peers uk
  • Until 1958, all peers were either hereditary, senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England.

    house_of_lords hereditary uk
  • Since 1958, the Prime Minister can nominate life peers who have had important careers in various fields.

    life_peers nominations uk
  • Since 1999, hereditary peers have lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords.

    hereditary_peers house_of_lords uk
  • The House of Lords can suggest amendments or propose new laws, which are then discussed by MPs.

    house_of_lords laws uk
  • The Speaker of the House of Commons is the chief officer and is chosen by other MPs in a secret ballot.

    speaker house_of_commons uk
  • The Speaker keeps order during debates and ensures that the opposition has a guaranteed amount of time to debate issues.

    speaker debates uk
  • MPs are elected at a General Election, held at least every five years.

    elections mps uk
  • If an MP dies or resigns, a by-election is held in their constituency.

    by-election mps uk
  • MPs are elected through a system called first past the post.

    elections first_past_the_post uk
  • A fresh election, called a by-election, is held in a constituency.

    elections uk politics
  • MPs are elected through a system called ‘first past the post’.

    elections uk politics
  • The government is usually formed by the party that wins the majority of constituencies.

    government politics uk
  • If no party wins a majority, two parties may join together to form a coalition.

    coalition politics uk
  • Elections for the European Parliament are held every five years.

    elections eu politics
  • Elected members of the European Parliament are called Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

    eu politics elections
  • Elections to the European Parliament use a system of proportional representation.

    elections eu politics
  • All elected members have a duty to serve and represent their constituents.

    representation politics uk
  • You can get contact details for your representatives from your local library or from www.parliament.uk.

    contact politics uk
  • You can contact MPs by letter or telephone at their constituency office or at their office in the House of Commons.

    contact mps politics
  • The Prime Minister (PM) is the leader of the political party in power.

    prime_minister politics uk
  • The official home of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street.

    prime_minister uk politics
  • The Prime Minister can be changed if the MPs in the governing party decide to do so, or if he or she wishes to resign.

    politics prime_minister uk
  • The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments.

    cabinet politics uk
  • The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy.

    cabinet politics uk
  • The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing, and immigration.

    cabinet politics uk
  • The Foreign Secretary is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries.

    cabinet politics uk
  • The opposition is the second-largest party in the House of Commons.

    politics uk opposition
  • The leader of the opposition usually becomes Prime Minister if his or her party wins the next General Election.

    politics uk elections
  • The leader of the opposition appoints senior opposition MPs to be ‘shadow ministers’.

    politics uk opposition
  • Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election.

    elections politics uk
  • MPs are positioned to be ‘shadow ministers’ and form the shadow cabinet to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.

    politics government uk
  • Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP, but they need to be nominated by one of the major political parties such as the Conservative Party, Labour Party, or Liberal Democrats.

    politics elections uk
  • MPs who do not represent any of the main political parties are called independents and usually represent an issue important to their constituency.

    politics independents uk
  • Political parties actively seek members of the public to join their debates, contribute to their costs, and assist at elections for Parliament or local government.

    politics parties elections
  • Pressure and lobby groups influence government policy; examples include the CBI representing British business and Greenpeace campaigning on the environment.

    politics lobby groups
  • Civil servants support the government in developing policies and delivering public services. They are chosen on merit and are politically neutral.

    government civil_service uk
  • Local authorities govern towns, cities, and rural areas in the UK, providing a range of services funded by central government and local taxes.

    local_government uk services
  • Many local authorities appoint a mayor, who may be the ceremonial leader or the effective leader of the administration, with elections held in May every year.

    local_government mayor elections
  • Since 1997, powers have been devolved from the central government to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, allowing more local control over certain matters.

    devolution uk government
  • The Welsh government and National Assembly for Wales are based in Cardiff, with elections held every four years using a form of proportional representation.

    wales government elections
  • The National Assembly has the power to make laws for Wales in 21 areas, including education and training and health and social services.

    wales laws government
  • The Assembly has the power to make laws for Wales in 21 areas, including: - education and training - health and social services - economic development - housing.

    government wales laws
  • Since 2011, the National Assembly for Wales has been able to pass laws on these topics without the agreement of the UK Parliament.

    government wales laws
  • The Welsh Assembly building was opened in March 2006.

    government wales building
  • The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999 and sits in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.

    government scotland history
  • There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation.

    government scotland elections
  • The Scottish Parliament can pass laws for Scotland on all matters which are not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament.

    government scotland laws
  • The matters on which the Scottish Parliament can legislate include: - civil and criminal law - health - education - planning - additional tax-raising powers.

    government scotland laws
  • The Scottish Parliament building was opened in October 2004.

    government scotland building
  • A Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922, but it was abolished in 1972.

    government northern_ireland history
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly was established soon after the Belfast Agreement in 1998.

    government northern_ireland history
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs (members of the Legislative Assembly).

    government northern_ireland elections
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly can make decisions on issues such as: - education - agriculture - the environment - health - social services.

    government northern_ireland laws
  • The UK government has the power to suspend all devolved assemblies, which it has used several times in Northern Ireland.

    government northern_ireland power
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly building is known as Stormont.

    government northern_ireland building
  • Proceedings in Parliament are broadcast on television and published in official reports called Hansard.

    government media parliament
  • The UK has a free press, meaning what is written in newspapers is free from government control.

    government media press
  • By law, radio and television coverage of the political parties must be balanced, giving equal time to rival viewpoints.

    government media law
  • The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928, with the voting age of 18 set in 1969.

    government voting history
  • Adult citizens of the UK, and citizens of the Commonwealth and Ireland who are resident in the UK, can vote in all public elections.

    government voting citizenship
  • To vote in a parliamentary, local or European election, you must have your name on the electoral register.

    government voting elections
  • A resident in the UK can vote in all elections except General Elections.

    voting uk elections
  • To vote in a parliamentary, local or European election, you must have your name on the electoral register.

    voting register elections
  • You can register to vote by contacting your local council electoral registration office.

    voting registration council
  • The electoral register is updated every year in September or October.

    voting register dates
  • In Northern Ireland, a different system called individual registration is used for voting.

    voting northern_ireland registration
  • Each local authority must make its electoral register available for anyone to look at, although this must be supervised.

    voting register local_authority
  • People vote at places called polling stations or polling places in Scotland.

    voting polling locations
  • On election day, polling stations are open from 7.00 am until 10.00 pm.

    voting polling times
  • In Northern Ireland, you must show photographic identification at the polling station.

    voting identification northern_ireland
  • If you can't get to a polling station, you can register for a postal ballot.

    voting postal ballot
  • Most citizens of the UK, Ireland, or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office.

    politics office candidates
  • Members of the House of Lords may not stand for election to the House of Commons.

    politics house_of_lords house_of_commons
  • The public can listen to debates in the Palace of Westminster from public galleries.

    politics parliament debates
  • You can find further information on the UK Parliament website at www.parliament.uk.

    politics parliament website
  • In Northern Ireland, elected members known as MLAs meet in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.

    politics northern_ireland assembly
  • The Northern Ireland Assembly is located at Stormont in Belfast.

    politics northern_ireland assembly
  • To visit the Northern Ireland Assembly, you can contact the Education Service or visit the website at http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/visit-and-learning/visiting/.

    visiting northern_ireland assembly
  • In Scotland, the elected members called MSPs meet in the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.

    politics scotland parliament
  • You can book tickets or arrange tours at the Scottish Parliament by contacting them via telephone at 0131 348 5200 or email at [email protected].

    visiting scotland parliament
  • In Wales, elected members known as AMs meet in the Welsh Assembly in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

    politics wales assembly
  • The Senedd is an open building where you can book guided tours or seats in the public galleries for the Welsh Assembly.

    visiting wales assembly
  • The Commonwealth is an association of countries that support each other and work towards shared goals in democracy and development.

    international commonwealth democracy
  • The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, which has 53 member states.

    international commonwealth monarchy
  • Membership in the Commonwealth is voluntary and based on the core values of democracy, good government, and the rule of law.

    international commonwealth values
  • The European Union (EU) was originally called the European Economic Community (EEC) and was established by six countries, including Belgium and France.

    international eu history
  • The UK became a member of the EU in 1973 after initially deciding not to join.

    international eu history
  • In a referendum held on 23 June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union.

    politics referendum eu
  • The Council of Europe has 47 member countries and is responsible for the protection of human rights.

    international council_of_europe human_rights
  • Unlike the EU, the Council of Europe has no power to make laws.

    international council_of_europe law
  • The Council of Europe has 47 member countries, including the UK, and is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights.

    politics humanrights europe
  • The European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is the most well-known convention of the Council of Europe.

    politics humanrights europe
  • The UK is part of the United Nations (UN), an international organisation with more than 190 countries as members.

    politics international un
  • The UN was set up after the Second World War to prevent war and promote international peace and security.

    history international un
  • The UN Security Council has 15 members, with the UK being one of five permanent members.

    politics international un
  • The UK is a member of NATO, a group of European and North American countries that agree to help each other if they come under attack.

    politics nato international
  • One of the most important responsibilities of all residents in the UK is to know and obey the law.

    law uk responsibilities
  • In the UK, every person receives equal treatment under the law, meaning the law applies in the same way to everyone, regardless of background.

    law uk equality
  • Criminal law relates to crimes, which are usually investigated by the police and punished by the courts.

    law criminal uk
  • Civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups.

    law civil uk
  • It is a criminal offence to carry a weapon of any kind, even if it is for self-defence.

    law criminal weapons
  • Selling or buying drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis is illegal in the UK.

    law criminal drugs
  • It is a criminal offence to cause harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin.

    law criminal racialcrime
  • It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.

    law criminal tobacco
  • Smoking in public places is against the law in nearly every enclosed public place in the UK.

    law criminal smoking
  • It is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone who is under 18.

    law criminal alcohol
  • Some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public, and the police can confiscate alcohol or move young people on from public places.

    law criminal alcohol
  • Examples of civil laws include housing law, which includes disputes between landlords and tenants.

    law civil housing
  • Examples of civil laws include: - Housing law - Consumer rights - Employment law - Debt.

    law civil examples
  • The job of the police in the UK is to: - protect life and property - prevent disturbances - prevent and detect crime.

    law police duties
  • The police in the UK are independent of the government and are organised into separate police forces headed by Chief Constables.

    law police structure
  • In November 2012, the public elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales to set local police priorities and budgets.

    law pcc elections
  • Police officers must obey the law and must not misuse their authority or commit racial discrimination.

    law police conduct
  • Police community support officers (PCSOs) usually patrol the streets and support police officers at crime scenes and major events.

    law pcsos support
  • Anyone can make a complaint about the police by going to a police station or writing to the Chief Constable.

    law complaints police
  • The UK faces terrorist threats from Al Qa’ida and other groups, including Northern Ireland-related terrorism.

    terrorism threats uk
  • All citizens should feel safe from extremism, including religious extremism and far-right extremism.

    extremism safety uk
  • If you think someone is trying to persuade you to join an extremist or terrorist cause, you should notify your local police force.

    extremism reporting safety
  • The duties of the police include maintaining law and order and enforcing the law.

    law police duties
  • The role of the courts is to interpret the law and ensure that trials are conducted fairly.

    law courts trials
  • Judges are responsible for ensuring that trials are conducted fairly and can order changes if a public body is not respecting someone's legal rights.

    law judges rights
  • In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates' Court.

    law courts criminal
  • In Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court.

    law courts scotland
  • Magistrates in England, Wales, and Scotland usually work unpaid and do not need legal qualifications but receive training.

    law magistrates training
  • Serious offences in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are tried in a Crown Court, while in Scotland, they are heard in a Sheriff Court.

    law courts serious_offences
  • A jury in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland has 12 members, while in Scotland, it has 15 members.

    law jury members
  • In Youth Courts, cases for individuals aged 10 to 17 are typically heard in front of specially trained magistrates or a District Judge.

    law youth_courts magistrates
  • In Scotland, the Children’s Hearings System is used to deal with children and young people who have committed an offence.

    law scotland youth
  • County Courts handle a wide range of civil disputes, including personal injury, family matters, and breaches of contract.

    law civil_courts disputes
  • In Scotland, most civil matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court. More serious civil cases are dealt with in the High Court in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while in Scotland, they are dealt with in the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

    law courts scotland
  • The small claims procedure is used for claims of less than £10,000 in England and Wales and £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

    law smallclaims claims
  • Small claims can be issued online through Money Claims Online (www.moneyclaim.gov.uk).

    law onlineclaims smallclaims
  • You can get details about the small claims procedure from your local County Court or Sheriff Court.

    law courts procedure
  • Solicitors are trained lawyers who give advice on legal matters, take action for their clients, and represent them in court.

    law solicitors legal
  • It is important to check a solicitor's specialisation and experience before hiring them.

    law solicitors specialisation
  • The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

    law humanrights uk
  • Some principles included in the European Convention on Human Rights are the right to life, prohibition of torture, and right to a fair trial.

    law humanrights principles
  • UK laws ensure that people are not treated unfairly because of their age, disability, sex, or race.

    law equalopportunities discrimination
  • If you face problems with discrimination, you can get more information from Citizens Advice or the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

    law discrimination advice
  • In the UK, domestic violence is considered a serious crime, and anyone who is violent towards their partner can be prosecuted.

    law domestic_violence
  • The 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline can be reached at 0808 2000 247.

    helpline domestic_violence
  • Female genital mutilation (FGM) is illegal in the UK, and practising it is a criminal offence.

    law fgm
  • A forced marriage occurs when one or both parties do not or cannot give their consent.

    law forced_marriage
  • The Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced in 2008 for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.

    law forced_marriage
  • In the UK, people must pay income tax on their income, which includes wages, profits, and pensions.

    taxation income_tax
  • The Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system automatically deducts income tax from employees' wages and pays it directly to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

    taxation paye
  • Self-employed individuals need to pay their own tax through a system called self-assessment.

    taxation self_assessment
  • You can find more information about income tax at www.gov.uk/income-tax.

    taxation income_tax
  • You can find out more about income tax at www.gov.uk/income-tax.

    tax income_tax uk
  • For help with taxes, contact the HMRC self-assessment helpline at 0300 200 3310.

    tax hmrc helpline
  • Almost everybody in the UK who is in paid work must pay National Insurance Contributions.

    national_insurance uk work
  • The money from National Insurance Contributions is used for state benefits like the state retirement pension and the NHS.

    national_insurance benefits pension
  • Employees have their National Insurance Contributions deducted from their pay by their employer.

    national_insurance employees employer
  • Self-employed people must pay their National Insurance Contributions themselves.

    national_insurance self-employed tax
  • Not paying enough National Insurance Contributions may prevent access to benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance.

    national_insurance benefits jobseeker
  • You can find more guidance about National Insurance Contributions at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance.

    national_insurance guidance uk
  • A National Insurance number is a unique personal account number for recording contributions and tax.

    national_insurance account_number tax
  • All young people in the UK receive a National Insurance number just before their 16th birthday.

    national_insurance youth uk
  • A non-UK national must have a National Insurance number to work in the UK, but can start work without one.

    national_insurance non-uk work
  • To apply for a National Insurance number, you may need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

    national_insurance dwp application
  • In the UK, you must be at least 17 years old to drive a car or motorcycle.

    driving age uk
  • To get a UK driving licence, you must pass a driving test that assesses knowledge and practical skills.

    driving licence test
  • You need to be at least 16 years old to ride a moped.

    driving moped age
  • Drivers can use their driving licence until they are 70 years old.

    driving licence age_limit
  • In Northern Ireland, newly qualified drivers must display an ‘R plate for one year after passing the test.

    driving northern_ireland r_plate
  • If your driving licence is from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway, you can drive in the UK as long as it's valid.

    driving licence eu
  • If your licence is from another country, you can use it in the UK for up to 12 months before needing a UK licence.

    driving licence foreign
  • If you are resident in the UK, your vehicle must be registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

    driving dvla registration
  • You must pay an annual vehicle tax which cannot be passed on when a vehicle changes hands.

    driving tax vehicle
  • If your vehicle is off the road, you must inform DVLA by making a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

    driving sorn dvla
  • You must have valid motor insurance to legally drive a vehicle in the UK.

    driving insurance uk
  • To notify the DVLA, you must make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). SORN cannot be transferred if the vehicle is sold or given to a new owner.

    dvla sorn vehicle
  • It is a serious criminal offence to drive without insurance.

    law insurance offence
  • If your vehicle is over three years old, you must take it for a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test every year.

    mot vehicle test
  • You must have an MOT certificate if your vehicle is more than three years old.

    mot vehicle certificate
  • You can find out more about vehicle tax and MOT requirements from www.gov.uk.

    vehicle_tax mot government
  • In the UK, domestic violence, FGM, and forced marriage are illegal.

    law uk violence
  • Becoming a British citizen brings responsibilities but also opportunities to participate in your community.

    citizenship community responsibilities
  • Shared values and responsibilities in Britain include to obey and respect the law.

    values law responsibilities
  • You should treat everyone equally, regardless of sex, race, religion, age, disability, class, or sexual orientation.

    equality diversity values
  • When moving into a new house, you should introduce yourself to your neighbours.

    community neighbours responsibility
  • You can help prevent problems with your neighbours by respecting their privacy and limiting noise.

    neighbours conflict responsibility
  • Volunteering and helping your community are important parts of being a good citizen.

    volunteering community citizenship
  • People on the electoral register aged 18–70 can be randomly selected to serve on a jury.

    jury electoral_register law
  • Parents can help in schools by supporting activities or listening to children read.

    schools parents volunteering
  • Many schools organize events to raise money for extra equipment or out-of-school activities.

    schools fundraising community
  • You can find out about volunteering opportunities from notices in the school or notes your children bring home.

    volunteering school community
  • School governors must be aged 18 or over at the date of their election or appointment.

    governors education age
  • Governors have three key roles: setting the strategic direction of the school, ensuring accountability, and monitoring and evaluating school performance.

    governors roles education
  • In England, parents can apply to open a free school in their local area via the Gov.uk website.

    education free_school application
  • Joining a political party is a way to demonstrate your support for certain views and get involved in the democratic process.

    politics democracy community
  • Members of political parties work hard during election times to persuade people to vote for their candidates by canvassing.

    politics elections canvassing
  • British citizens can stand for office as a local councillor, a member of Parliament, or a member of the European Parliament.

    politics elections council
  • There are opportunities to volunteer with local service providers, including local hospitals and youth projects.

    volunteering services community
  • You can register to give blood at various websites depending on your location, such as blood.co.uk for England and North Wales.

    donation blood health
  • Many people in the UK are waiting for organ transplants, and registering as an organ donor can help your family make decisions about donation.

    donation health organs
  • You can register to be an organ donor at organdonation.nhs.uk.

    donation organ registration
  • You can register to be an organ donor at www.organdonation.nhs.uk.

    health organ_donation
  • Living people can also donate a kidney.

    health organ_donation
  • Volunteering is working for good causes without payment.

    volunteering community
  • Benefits of volunteering include meeting new people and helping make your community a better place.

    volunteering benefits
  • Some volunteer activities allow you to practise your English or develop work skills.

    volunteering skills
  • Activities you can do as a volunteer include: - working with animals - youth work - helping improve the environment - working with the homeless - mentoring - work in health and hospitals - helping older people.

    volunteering activities
  • Voluntary organisations work to improve the lives of people, animals, and the environment.

    volunteering organizations
  • Charities in the UK range from the British branches of international organisations to small local charities.

    charities uk
  • Examples of charities include: - British Red Cross - Age UK - NSPCC - Crisis and Shelter - Cancer Research UK - National Trust.

    charities examples
  • Volunteers are needed to help with activities and to raise money for charities.

    volunteering charities
  • You can find information about volunteering from https://do-it.org.

    volunteering resources
  • The National Citizen Service programme is for 16- and 17-year-olds to enjoy outdoor activities and develop their skills.

    youth volunteering
  • You can find more about volunteering opportunities in: - England: www.vinspired.com - Wales: www.gwirvol.org - Scotland: www.volunteerscotland.net - Northern Ireland: www.volunteernow.co.uk.

    volunteering resources
  • It is important to recycle as much of your waste as you can to reduce landfill.

    environment recycling
  • Using recycled materials to make new products uses less energy.

    environment recycling
  • Learn more about recycling at www.recyclenow.com.

    recycling resources
  • Support your local community by shopping for products locally to help businesses and reduce your carbon footprint.

    community environment
  • Shopping for products locally supports businesses and farmers in your area and in Britain.

    community shopping environment
  • Walking and using public transport reduces pollution compared to using a car.

    transport environment pollution
  • You can help at your child's school by understanding the different ways to support it.

    education community school
  • The role of school governors and members of school boards is important for school management.

    education governance school
  • Members of political parties play a role in the government and community.

    politics community government
  • People can volunteer to support different local services in their area.

    volunteering community services
  • Donating blood and organs is a way to help others in need.

    health volunteering donation
  • Volunteering benefits you, other people, and the community.

    volunteering benefits community
  • Volunteers can engage in various activities to support others.

    volunteering activities support
  • You can look after the environment by making conscious choices.

    environment sustainability community
  • The glossary helps readers understand key words in the handbook.

    glossary vocabulary understanding
  • AD stands for Anno Domini, referring to the years after the birth of Jesus Christ.

    history time ad
  • Allegiance refers to loyalty to a leader, faith, or country.

    loyalty values country
  • An architect is someone who designs buildings.

    profession architecture design
  • The armed forces include the army, navy, and air force which defend a country.

    military defense armedforces
  • Arrested means taken by the police to a station to answer questions about illegal actions.

    law police arrest
  • Arson is the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to a building.

    crime fire arson
  • Assault is the criminal act of using physical force against someone, such as hitting.

    crime assault violence
  • A bank holiday is an official day off work when many businesses are closed.

    holidays work business
  • A baron is a man who holds one of the ranks of the British nobility.

    nobility titles history
  • BC stands for Before Christ, referring to the years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

    history time bc
  • A bishop is a senior member of the clergy in the Christian religion.

    religion clergy bishop
  • A boom refers to a sharp rise in business activity or the economy.

    economy business growth
  • Brutality refers to cruel and violent behavior that causes harm.

    violence behavior harm
  • A by-election is held to fill a vacancy in a parliamentary constituency.

    elections politics government
  • The cabinet is a group of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy.

    government cabinet policy
  • Casualties refer to people who are wounded or killed, for example, in a war.

    medical casualties war
  • A cathedral is the most important church in an area.

    religion architecture cathedral
  • A charter is an official written statement describing the rights and responsibilities of a state and its citizens.

    government rights charter
  • A chieftain is the leader of a clan in Scotland or Ireland.

    culture leadership chieftain
  • Civil disobedience is the refusal to obey laws to protest against political decisions.

    protest politics law
  • The leader of a clan in Scotland or Ireland is called a chieftain.

    history scotland ireland
  • Civil disobedience is the refusal of members of the public to obey laws to protest against political issues.

    politics law protest
  • Civil law deals with disputes between people or groups of people.

    law civil disputes
  • The civil service manages the business of running the country, and its workers are called civil servants.

    government service administration
  • A civil war is a war between groups who live in the same country.

    history war conflict
  • A clan is a group of people or families living under a chieftain's rule, often in Scotland.

    culture scotland clan
  • Clergy refers to religious leaders in Christian churches.

    religion christianity leadership
  • A coalition is a partnership between different political parties.

    politics coalition parties
  • To colonise is to inhabit and take control of another country.

    history colonization countries
  • To commemorate means to show that something or someone is remembered.

    memory remembrance history
  • A composer is someone who writes music.

    music art composition
  • Conquered means to be beaten in battle.

    history war defeat
  • A constituency is a specific area where voters can elect an MP to represent them in Parliament.

    politics elections representation
  • The constitution is the legal structure of established laws and principles used to govern a country.

    law government constitution
  • A convention is an agreement about particular rules or codes of behaviour between countries.

    politics agreements international
  • Criminal law deals with illegal activities.

    law crime justice
  • A decree is an official order, law or decision.

    law government order
  • A democratic country is governed by people elected by the population to represent them in Parliament.

    politics democracy government
  • Devolution is the passing of power from a central government to a regional or local level.

    government politics administration
  • A dialect is a form of a language spoken by a particular group of people in a specific area.

    language culture communication
  • Domestic policies are political decisions that relate to what is happening within a country.

    politics policy government
  • The electoral register is the official list of all the people in a country who are allowed to vote.

    politics elections voting
  • The electorate consists of all the people who are allowed to vote in an election.

    politics voting elections
  • Eligible means allowed by law.

    law rights eligibility
  • Ethnic origin refers to the country of birth, race, or nationality of someone.

    identity culture ethnicity
  • To be executed means to be killed as a punishment.

    law punishment capital
  • The first past the post system is an election method where the candidate with the largest number of votes wins.

    politics elections voting
  • The franchise is the right to vote.

    politics rights elections
  • A General Election is when all citizens allowed to vote choose their representatives in government.

    politics elections democracy
  • Gothic refers to a type of art or architecture based on the Middle Ages.

    art architecture history
  • Government policies are official ideas and beliefs agreed by a political party about how to govern the country.

    politics policy government
  • Being guilty means being found by a court to have done something illegal.

    law justice crime
  • An heir is someone who will legally receive a person's money or possessions after their death.

    inheritance law family
  • The House of Commons is part of Parliament where MPs elected by the public debate political issues.

    politics government parliament
  • The House of Lords is where people who inherited their place or were chosen by the government debate political issues.

    politics government parliament
  • A household refers to a home and the people who live in it, or tasks done around the house.

    home family domestic
  • The Houses of Parliament is the building in London where the House of Commons and House of Lords meet.

    politics government parliament
  • Illegal refers to something which the law does not allow.

    law crime regulation
  • Infrastructure is a structured network necessary for the successful operation of a business.

    business economy development
  • The House of Commons and House of Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster.

    government uk parliament
  • Illegal refers to something which the law does not allow.

    law definitions
  • Infrastructure is a structured network necessary for successful operation of a business or transport system, such as roads or railways.

    infrastructure transport
  • In law, a person found by a court not to have done something illegal is considered innocent.

    law definitions
  • The judge is the most important official in court, ensuring that what happens is fair and legal.

    law court
  • The judiciary consists of all the judges in a country, responsible for using the law of the land in the correct way.

    law judiciary
  • A jury consists of people chosen to sit in court and decide if someone is guilty or innocent.

    law court
  • Legal means allowed to do so by law.

    law definitions
  • Legislative power is the power to make laws.

    government law
  • Liberty refers to freedom.

    philosophy freedom
  • A magistrate acts as a judge in a court case where the crime is not a serious one.

    law judiciary
  • Marital status refers to whether a person is single, married, separated, or divorced.

    social definitions
  • The media includes all organizations that provide information to the public, such as newspapers, television, and the internet.

    media communication
  • The medieval period, also known as the Middle Ages, lasted from about the 5th to the 15th century.

    history medieval
  • A missionary is someone who travels to teach about a religion.

    religion education
  • A monarch is the king or queen of a country.

    government monarchy
  • National issues are political problems that can affect everyone who lives in a country.

    politics national
  • Nationalised refers to something bought and controlled by central government.

    government economics
  • Nobility consists of people in a country who belong to the highest social class.

    society social_class
  • To be in office means to be in power in government.

    politics government
  • The Olympics is an international sporting event held every four years.

    sports events
  • In the House of Commons, the largest political party not part of the government is known as the opposition.

    politics government
  • An oratorio is a piece of music for an orchestra and singers, often about a religious idea.

    music religion
  • The Pale refers to part of Ireland governed by the English.

    history ireland
  • Party politics refers to the shared ideas and beliefs of an organized group of politicians.

    politics government
  • A patron saint is a Christian saint believed to protect a particular area or group of people.

    religion saints
  • A penalty is a punishment for breaking the law.

    law punishment
  • Plague is a very serious, infectious disease.

    health disease
  • The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

    religion catholicism
  • A portrait is a picture of a person.

    art photography
  • To practise a religion means to live according to the rules and beliefs of a religion.

    religion practice
  • Presbyterian is the main Protestant Church in Scotland.

    religion scotland
  • The Prime Minister is the politician who leads the government.

    politics government
  • To prohibit means to make something illegal.

    law definitions
  • Proportional representation is a system of election where political parties are allowed a number of seats in Parliament that represents their share of the total votes cast.

    politics elections
  • Protestants are Christians who are not members of the Roman Catholic Church.

    religion christianity
  • A public body is a governmental department or group that works for the good of the general public.

    government society
  • A public house or pub is a place where adults can buy and drink alcohol.

    social drinks
  • Quakers are a Protestant religious group known for their peaceful beliefs.

    religion quakers
  • A rebellion is organized fighting against a government.

    politics conflict
  • The Reformation was a religious movement in the 16th century that challenged the authority of the Pope.

    religion history
  • A refugee is a person who must leave their country often due to war or political reasons.

    human_rights migration
  • Residence refers to the place where someone lives.

    social definitions
  • Rival viewpoints are opinions held by different groups of people.

    philosophy opinions
  • Rural refers to the countryside.

    geography countryside
  • To scrutinise means to examine all the details.

    analysis examination
  • A seat in Parliament refers to a constituency.

    politics government
  • A sentence is a punishment imposed by a court.

    law punishment
  • The shadow cabinet consists of senior MPs of a political party not in government.

    politics government
  • A sheriff in law is a judge in Scotland.

    law judiciary
  • Slavery is a system in which people are bought and sold as slaves forced to work without pay.

    history human_rights
  • A sonnet is a type of poetry that consists of 14 lines.

    literature poetry
  • In Scotland, a sheriff is a judge.

    law scotland
  • Slavery is a system in which people bought and sold other people (slaves) who were forced to work without pay.

    history slavery
  • A sonnet is a poem which is 14 lines long and rhymes in a particular way.

    literature poetry
  • The Speaker is the member of the House of Commons who controls the way issues are debated in Parliament.

    politics parliament
  • To stand for office means to apply to be elected – for example, as an MP or councillor.

    politics elections
  • To strike means to refuse to work in order to protest against something.

    labor protest
  • A successor is a person who comes after another and takes over an office or receives some kind of power.

    government succession
  • To suspend means to stop something from happening or operating, usually for a short time.

    general suspension
  • Terrorism is violence used by people who want to force a government to do something, and the violence is usually random and unexpected.

    politics violence
  • The Phone Book contains names, addresses and phone numbers of organisations, businesses and individuals.

    reference directory
  • Theft is the criminal act of stealing something from a person, building or place.

    crime theft
  • A trade union is an association of workers formed to protect its members.

    labor unions
  • A treaty is an official written agreement between countries or governments.

    politics international_relations
  • An uprising is a violent revolt or rebellion against an authority.

    politics rebellion
  • Voluntary work is work which someone does because they want to and which they do for free.

    community volunteering
  • A volunteer is someone who works for free or who offers to do something without payment.

    community volunteering
  • The war effort refers to the work people did in order to help the country during wartime.

    history war