Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties: Citizenship Test Practice Questions

Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties is one of the four sections of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official resource every real test question comes from. It covers: Parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, freedom of speech and association, freedom of religion, equality before the law and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

Of the 280 questions in our practice bank, 60 are Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties questions. On a typical 20-question test you can expect roughly 4 from this section. Below are 9 sample questions with answers and explanations to show you exactly what to prepare for.

Sample Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties Questions and Answers

Try each question before expanding the answer. Every question below also appears in one of our free practice tests.

1. Australians believe that change should occur through each of the following EXCEPT:

ADiscussion

BPeaceful persuasion

CViolent protest

DConversation

Show answer and explanation

CViolent protest (Correct answer)

Explanation

Change in Australia is expected to happen via dialogue, non-violent influence, and democratic means. Using violence to alter laws or opinions is unacceptable.

2. A jury is composed of:

AJudges that interpret the law and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty

BElected representatives that decide how long someone should go to prison for

COrdinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not

DPolice officers involved in the case

Show answer and explanation

COrdinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not (Correct answer)

Explanation

Juries consist of everyday Australian citizens tasked with hearing court evidence and determining a defendant's guilt or innocence.

3. Which of the following is FALSE?

ASeeking election guarantees a position in the Australian Government

BAustralian citizens aged 18 years or over can seek election to parliament

CIt is both an honour and a serious responsibility to serve in an Australian parliament.

DYou must be an Australian citizen to run for office

Show answer and explanation

ASeeking election guarantees a position in the Australian Government (Correct answer)

Explanation

Running for office does not automatically mean you will secure a position.

4. Australians believe in all of the following EXCEPT:

ARespecting other people's differences and choices

BTreating people fairly

CGiving preferential treatment based on where people come from

DFreedom of speech

Show answer and explanation

CGiving preferential treatment based on where people come from (Correct answer)

Explanation

Australia's democratic values form the foundation of its society and culture, attracting many individuals to seek citizenship.

5. What type of religious heritage does Australia have?

ABuddhist

BJudaeo-Christian

CIslamic

DHindu

Show answer and explanation

BJudaeo-Christian (Correct answer)

Explanation

While Australia possesses a Judaeo-Christian background, it does not designate any religion as the official state religion.

6. Where does the power of government come from?

AThe Australian people

BThe King

CThe elected representatives

DInternational treaties

Show answer and explanation

AThe Australian people (Correct answer)

Explanation

Government authority originates from the Australian populace, as citizens periodically elect parliamentary representatives.

7. While overseas, an Australian citizen CANNOT:

AAsk for help from an Australian embassy, high commission or consulate

BRefuse to be bound by the laws of that country

CAsk for an emergency passport

DVote in Australian elections

Show answer and explanation

BRefuse to be bound by the laws of that country (Correct answer)

Explanation

While visiting a foreign nation, adherence to its laws is mandatory. Australians abroad can vote.

8. The service in the Australian Defence Force is:

AVoluntary

BCompulsory for all citizens aged 18 years or over

CCompulsory for all men aged 18 years or over

DOnly open to people born in Australia

Show answer and explanation

AVoluntary (Correct answer)

Explanation

Enlistment in the Australian Defence Force is optional.

9. What does a "fair go" mean?

AThere are class distinctions in our society

BWhat someone achieves in life should be a result of their wealth or background

CWhat someone achieves in life should be a result of their hard work and talents

DEveryone receives the same income

Show answer and explanation

CWhat someone achieves in life should be a result of their hard work and talents (Correct answer)

Explanation

Numerous accounts exist in Australia of immigrants achieving success as leaders across various fields like business, professions, arts, public service, and sports, based on their diligence and abilities.

Practise Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties Until It Sticks

The app has 14 dedicated category tests, so you can practise Democratic Beliefs & Rights questions on their own. All 16 mock exams, every question in 13 languages, and weak-spot tracking, all in the app.

Study This Section First

Prefer to read before you practise? Our Democratic Beliefs, Rights & Liberties study guide breaks down everything this section of Our Common Bond actually tests.

Read the Democratic Beliefs, Rights & Liberties study guide

Take a Full Practice Test

Every full test includes Democratic Beliefs & Rights questions alongside the other three categories, in the same mix as the real exam.

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