Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties. Practice questions
20 questions, no clock, with the answer explained as you go. Use the timed exams when you want to know if you are ready.
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All 20 questions and answers
Every question here was checked by hand against Our Common Bond. How we check
1.Which of these is permitted under freedom of speech in Australia?
- ACriticising the government and campaigning to change laws
- BMaking false allegations against others
- CInjuring a person during a protest
- DDamaging property during a protest
Even while engaging in freedom of speech, the laws of Australia must be obeyed. (Freedom of speech and freedom of expression)
2.What help can you ask an Australian official for while overseas?
- APayment of medical bills in full
- BConsular assistance in times of need
- CExemption from local laws
- DFree flights back to Australia
As an Australian citizen you can ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)
3.What does freedom of expression allow people to do?
- ABreak the law where necessary to make a political point
- BMeet for discussion in private places but not public ones
- CRefuse to obey an order made against them by a court
- DExpress their views through art, film, music and literature
Freedom of expression means people can express their views through art, film, music and literature. (Freedom of speech and freedom of expression)
4.Which of these is a way of actively participating in Australian society?
- AVolunteering to do social and community work
- BDeclining to vote at federal and state elections
- CRefusing to serve on a jury when called to do so
- DAvoiding paying tax on money earned from a business
Paying tax is an important way to contribute to the Australian community and is required by law. (Participating in Australian society and paying tax)
5.What does it mean that Australia is a secular country?
- AIt operates separately from churches and other religious entities
- BReligious observance is required at citizenship ceremonies
- CChristianity is the official national religion
- DReligious leaders are appointed by the government
The government in Australia is secular, which means it operates separately from churches or other religious entities. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)
6.Under a ‘fair go’, what should determine what someone achieves in life?
- ATheir length of residence
- BTheir talents, work and effort
- CTheir wealth and background
- DTheir religion
A 'fair go' means what someone achieves in life should be the result of their talents, work and effort rather than their wealth or background. (Equality of opportunity and a fair go)
7.What are Australian taxes spent on?
- AHealthcare, education, defence, roads and social security
- BHealthcare and education, but no other services
- CDefence and foreign affairs, but no other services
- DLocal council services such as rubbish collection only
Taxes are spent on services including government-funded healthcare and education, defence, roads and railways, and social security. (Participating in Australian society and paying tax)
8.From what age is voting a responsibility for Australian citizens?
- A25 years or over
- B16 years or over
- C21 years or over
- D18 years or over
Voting is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)
9.What can Australian citizens apply for on behalf of children born overseas?
- ADual nationality with the other country
- BAn automatic Australian passport at birth
- CExemption from the citizenship test
- DAustralian citizenship by descent
As an Australian citizen you can apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent. (Privileges of Australian citizenship)
10.On what principle does Australia’s democratic system rest?
- AOnly Australian citizens hold rights under the law
- BRights depend on how long a person has lived here
- CEvery individual has rights and equality under Australian law
- DRights are granted to people by religious leaders
Every individual, regardless of their background, has rights and equality under Australian law. (Living peacefully and respect for all)
11.Is paying tax optional in Australia?
- AYes, for temporary residents
- BYes, for people who do not vote
- CNo, it is required by law
- DYes, for people under 21
Paying tax is an important way to contribute to the Australian community and is required by law. (Participating in Australian society and paying tax)
12.What does the Rule of Law mean in Australia?
- ANo person, group or religious rule is above the law
- BReligious law applies to believers
- CMinisters are immune from prosecution
- DParliament may set aside the courts
The Rule of Law means that no person, group or religious rule is above the law. (The Rule of Law)
13.Can a person in Australia be forced to join an organisation?
- ANo, people can decide not to join and cannot be forced
- BYes, if it is a registered trade union
- CYes, if their employer requires it
- DYes, if it is a political party
People can decide not to join an organisation and cannot be forced into doing so. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)
14.What does a jury do?
- AAdvises the Governor-General on granting Royal Assent
- BListens to the evidence and decides if a person is guilty or not guilty
- CInterprets the Australian Constitution for the courts
- DDecides what penalty a guilty person should receive
A jury is a group of ordinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)
15.What happens where an Australian law and a religious practice conflict?
- AAustralian law prevails
- BThe courts must find a compromise
- CThe practice is exempt from the law
- DThe religious practice prevails
Where there is a conflict between an Australian law and a religious practice, Australian law prevails. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)
16.Who must obey Australia’s laws?
- AOnly Australian citizens
- BEveryone, including people who hold positions of power
- CEveryone except elected representatives
- DEveryone except the police
Everyone, including people who hold positions of power, must obey Australia's laws. (The Rule of Law)
17.How must representatives in parliament answer to the people?
- AThrough elections
- BThrough the Governor-General
- CThrough public petitions
- DThrough the courts
Representatives in parliament must answer to the people, through elections, for the decisions they make. (Parliamentary democracy)
18.What does it mean that the government in Australia is secular?
- AIt bans religious practice in all public places
- BIt appoints the heads of churches and other faiths
- CIt requires Australian citizens to be non-religious
- DIt operates separately from churches or other religious entities
The government in Australia is secular, which means it operates separately from churches or other religious entities. (Freedom of association and freedom of religion)
19.What does Australian society aim to have no formal version of?
- ATrade unions
- BPolitical parties
- CClass distinctions
- DReligious groups
Australian society has no formal class distinctions. (Equality of opportunity and a fair go)
20.Which of these is a responsibility of Australian citizenship?
- AServe in the Australian Defence Force
- BFly the national flag on Australia Day
- CJoin a political party
- DServe on a jury if called to do so
As an Australian citizen you must serve on a jury if called to do so. (Responsibilities of Australian citizenship)