Australian citizenship test: free mock test 2

All 20 questions in this mock test, each with the right answer, the reason, and where it is in Our Common Bond. Try the test first.

1. Question 1. Why does Australia have compulsory voting?

   • A. So the government can raise money from the fines
   • B. So that everyone has a say in who governs
   • C. So the people can choose the judges of the High Court

   Answer: B. So that everyone has a say in who governs

   Making voting compulsory means everyone has a say in who governs the country and who represents them.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How do I have my say?)

2. Question 2. What is a coalition?

   • A. Two or more political parties joining together
   • B. A meeting of all the state Premiers each year
   • C. A group of judges hearing a case together

   Answer: A. Two or more political parties joining together

   A coalition forms when two or more parties join, usually to govern or to act as the opposition.

   In Our Common Bond, Glossary of testable section (part of the testable section)

3. Question 3. What legal status do religious laws have in Australia?

   • A. The same status as Australian law
   • B. None; Australian law must be followed
   • C. A higher status than Australian law

   Answer: B. None; Australian law must be followed

   Religious laws carry no legal weight here. Where they differ from Australian law, Australian law must be followed.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Freedom of religion)

4. Question 4. What power does the High Court of Australia have?

   • A. The final say in applying and interpreting laws
   • B. The power to make new laws and change old ones
   • C. The power to collect taxes and spend public money

   Answer: A. The final say in applying and interpreting laws

   The High Court has the final say on applying and interpreting Australia's laws.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (The Australian Constitution)

5. Question 5. In what year did the gold rush begin?

   • A. 1851
   • B. 1788
   • C. 1901

   Answer: A. 1851

   Gold was found in New South Wales and Victoria in 1851, starting the gold rush.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (Early days of European settlement)

6. Question 6. What does each state government have of its own?

   • A. An army, a navy and an air force
   • B. A parliament and a constitution
   • C. Its own currency and its own passports

   Answer: B. A parliament and a constitution

   Every state has a parliament of its own and a constitution of its own.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (State and territory government)

7. Question 7. The Australian system of parliamentary democracy combines which traditions?

   • A. French and Chinese
   • B. British and North American
   • C. Ancient Greek and Roman

   Answer: B. British and North American

   Australia's system blends British and North American traditions in its own way.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (Constitutional monarchy)

8. Question 8. What does the black half of the Australian Aboriginal Flag represent?

   • A. The night sky over the desert
   • B. The Aboriginal peoples of Australia
   • C. The sea that surrounds Australia

   Answer: B. The Aboriginal peoples of Australia

   The upper, black half stands for Australia's Aboriginal peoples.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (Australia's flags)

9. Question 9. Which Australian citizens can be called to serve on a jury?

   • A. Those listed on the electoral roll
   • B. Only citizens who are lawyers
   • C. Only citizens who volunteer to serve

   Answer: A. Those listed on the electoral roll

   Jury service can be asked of citizens whose names are on the electoral roll.

   In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)

10. Question 10. What happens when an Australian law conflicts with a religious practice?

    • A. The religious practice prevails
    • B. Religious leaders decide which applies
    • C. Australian law prevails

    Answer: C. Australian law prevails

    Where a law and a religious practice clash, Australian law wins.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our freedoms)

11. Question 11. Which of these is one of the main political parties named in the booklet?

    • A. The Australian Electoral Commission
    • B. The Australian Federal Police
    • C. The Australian Labor Party

    Answer: C. The Australian Labor Party

    The booklet names four main parties: the Liberal Party, the Labor Party, the Nationals and the Greens.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (What role do political parties play?)

12. Question 12. Who recommends which members of parliament become ministers?

    • A. The Governor-General
    • B. The High Court
    • C. The Prime Minister

    Answer: C. The Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister recommends who becomes a minister. The Governor-General approves the appointments.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 3: Government and the law in Australia (How is the Australian Government formed?)

13. Question 13. Which of these actions shows the spirit of mateship?

    • A. Taking a friend to see the doctor
    • B. Ignoring a neighbour who is lonely
    • C. Charging a friend for help with shopping

    Answer: A. Taking a friend to see the doctor

    Mateship includes things like driving a friend to the doctor, taking a meal to an elderly neighbour, or visiting someone who is unwell.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Compassion for those in need)

14. Question 14. In the first half of the 20th century, which migrants did special programs encourage to settle in Australia?

    • A. Chinese migrants
    • B. British migrants
    • C. American migrants

    Answer: B. British migrants

    Programs set up to attract British migrants succeeded, and many came to live here.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (The nation of Australia)

15. Question 15. What is the capital city of Australia?

    • A. Sydney
    • B. Canberra
    • C. Melbourne

    Answer: B. Canberra

    Canberra is Australia's capital. Sydney is the largest city, but it is not the capital.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 1: Australia and its people (Australia's states and territories)

16. Question 16. Giving everyone equal legal rights is a key part of which idea?

    • A. Fairness in Australian society
    • B. Freedom of association
    • C. The Governor-General's reserve powers

    Answer: A. Fairness in Australian society

    Fairness in Australia includes making sure everyone has the same legal rights.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Equality of opportunity and a 'fair go')

17. Question 17. Where can Australian citizens ask for help while overseas?

    • A. Any local bank or post office in that country
    • B. The reception desk of the hotel where they stay
    • C. An Australian embassy, high commission or consulate

    Answer: C. An Australian embassy, high commission or consulate

    Australia has embassies, high commissions or consulates in many countries, and citizens can go there for help.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship)

18. Question 18. Applicants for citizenship whose native language is not English must undertake to do what?

    • A. Pass a university-level English exam first
    • B. Stop using their first language at home
    • C. Make reasonable efforts to learn English

    Answer: C. Make reasonable efforts to learn English

    If English is not their first language, applicants must agree to make reasonable efforts to learn it.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (English as the national language)

19. Question 19. Can a person be forced to join an organisation in Australia?

    • A. Yes, if their employer tells them to
    • B. No, people can choose not to join
    • C. Yes, if their family belongs to it

    Answer: B. No, people can choose not to join

    People are free to join legal groups, and they can also decide not to join. No one can force them.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (Our freedoms)

20. Question 20. If a person knows that a child is being abused, what should they do?

    • A. Report it to the police
    • B. Wait to see if it stops
    • C. Tell only family members

    Answer: A. Report it to the police

    Anyone who sees or knows of child abuse should report it to the police to investigate.

    In Our Common Bond, Part 4: Australian values (Helping to keep our society safe)