While I have set out several recommendations for how a new citizenship test might be refreshed and relaunched, there remains the issue of what this might look like, offering a concrete contrast with the past three test editions building from the analysis in the preceding chapters. Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith pointed out to me that while ‘the principle is right’ about citizenship tests, it is difficult getting right the nitty- gritty of what multiple- choice questions and answers should be used. I will attempt this task here.

As already noted, I believe the specific content should be driven from a public consultation – and this has not yet happened. So, I am not claiming that these sample test questions are exactly what I have in mind, but rather they are an approximation of the variety and complexity in mind. As a bridge, not a barrier, most of the hard work of qualifying is to be met by meeting various other requirements, such as residency tests, possessing ‘good character’ and sufficient knowledge of English among others.

The next text might separate its contents into ‘Shared British values’, ‘British history and culture’, ‘British geography’ and ‘British government’. Some possible kinds of new test questions for a fourth edition might look like the following (answers in bold).

Shared British values

• 1. Name TWO British values:

• A. Rule of law

• B. Not keeping dog on lead

• C. Fair play

• D. Driving on right- hand side of road

• 2. Everyone should be treated equally regardless of which TWO:

• A. Sexual orientation

• B. Disability

• C. Favourite food

• D. Hair colour

• 3. The initials ‘NHS’ stand for the:

• A. National Horse- riding Society

• B. Northumberland Helium Sales

• C. New Home Sales

• D. National Health Service

• British history and culture

• 4. Who invaded England from Normandy in 1066 and later became King of England?

• A. Boudicca

• B. William the Conqueror

• C. Julius Caesar

• D. Robert the Bruce

• 5. The Kingdom of Great Britain began in 1707 bringing together which TWO nations:

• A. England

• B. Scotland

• C. Northern Ireland

• D. France

• 6. The Union Flag consists of the three overlapping crosses of St Andrew, St Patrick and who else:

• A. St Mark

• B. St Margaret

• C. St George

• D. St Pirin