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Question 1 · Multiple choice
Australia's democratic system is based on the principle that every individual, regardless of background: A Must belong to a political party B Has rights and equality under Australian law C Must share the same religion D Has rights that depend on how much wealth they have
Show answer Correct answer: B — Has rights and equality under Australian law
Why? Every individual, regardless of background, has rights and equality under Australian law. Source
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Question 2 · Multiple choice
What is a federation? A A government ruled by one person, with no parliament and no elections B The union of colonies into one nation, with the colonies keeping certain powers C A group of countries that share a currency D A local council made up of several towns
Show answer Correct answer: B — The union of colonies into one nation, with the colonies keeping certain powers
Why? A federation is the union of colonies into one nation, with the colonies retaining certain powers. Source
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Question 3 · Multiple choice
Where did the early free settlers in Australia mostly come from? A China, Japan and other countries in Asia B France and Spain C Italy and Greece D Great Britain and Ireland
Show answer Correct answer: D — Great Britain and Ireland
Why? Early free settlers came from Great Britain and Ireland, a heritage with a major influence on Australia's history, culture and politics. Source
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Question 4 · Multiple choice
Is it legal in Australia to make false allegations about another person? A Yes, under freedom of speech B Yes, if it is posted online C Yes, if the person is a politician D No, it is illegal
Show answer Correct answer: D — No, it is illegal
Why? It is illegal to make false allegations or to encourage others to break the law. Source
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Question 5 · Multiple choice
What is the Australian Constitution? A A list of every law that the state parliaments have made since 1901 B The national anthem in written form C The legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia D A speech given at citizenship ceremonies
Show answer Correct answer: C — The legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia
Why? The Australian Constitution is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia. Source
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Question 6 · Multiple choice
Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of: A Race, gender, religion, age, disability or background B Whether the other person agrees with them on politics, but not religion C Their country of origin, but only if they are citizens D Nothing; respect depends on a person's wealth
Show answer Correct answer: A — Race, gender, religion, age, disability or background
Why? All Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of race, origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religion. Source
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Question 7 · Multiple choice
Where did the First Fleet land? A Port Phillip Bay B Moreton Bay C Sydney Cove D Hobart Town
Show answer Correct answer: C — Sydney Cove
Why? The glossary of Our Common Bond says the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. Source
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Question 8 · Multiple choice
The Australian Constitution was originally passed as part of: A A state law of New South Wales in 1788 B A treaty with the United States C A High Court decision in 1967 D A British Act of Parliament in 1900
Show answer Correct answer: D — A British Act of Parliament in 1900
Why? The Constitution was originally passed as part of a British Act of Parliament in 1900 and came into effect on 1 January 1901. Source
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Question 9 · Multiple choice
Why is tolerance of peaceful public protest important in Australia? A It is an essential part of democracy B It lets the police decide which new laws are needed C It allows violence to be used D It replaces the need for elections
Show answer Correct answer: A — It is an essential part of democracy
Why? Australians may peacefully protest against government actions because tolerance of peaceful protest is an essential part of democracy. Source
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Question 10 · Multiple choice
In which year did a gold rush begin in New South Wales and Victoria? A 1851 B 1788 C 1901 D 1967
Show answer Correct answer: A — 1851
Why? A gold rush began in 1851 when gold was discovered in the colonies of New South Wales and Victoria. Source
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Question 11 · Multiple choice
Which two Houses of Parliament did the Australian Constitution establish? A The House of Representatives and the Senate B The House of Lords and the House of Commons C The Legislative Council and the Cabinet D The High Court and the Senate
Show answer Correct answer: A — The House of Representatives and the Senate
Why? The Constitution established the Parliament of the Commonwealth, made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate. Source
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Question 12 · Multiple choice
Which of these describes Australians' attitude to living peacefully? A They accept violence as part of politics B They believe only the army keeps the peace C They are proud to live in a peaceful country with stable government D They prefer frequent changes of government brought about by force
Show answer Correct answer: C — They are proud to live in a peaceful country with stable government
Why? Australians are proud to live in a peaceful country with a stable system of government. Source
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Question 13 · Multiple choice
Mei disagrees strongly with her neighbour's political opinions. What reflects Australian values? A Threatening him until he changes his mind B Damaging his property to make a point C Respecting his right to express his lawful views D Reporting him to the police because of his political opinions
Show answer Correct answer: C — Respecting his right to express his lawful views
Why? Other people's freedom of speech and expression must be respected, as long as the expression is lawful. Source
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Question 14 · Multiple choice
Who were the first large group of migrants to Australia not from Europe? A Indian soldiers who settled in Australia after World War I B Chinese people who came during the gold rush C Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s D Americans who came to build railways
Show answer Correct answer: B — Chinese people who came during the gold rush
Why? Chinese people arriving during the gold rush of the 1850s were the first large group of migrants not from Europe. Source
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Question 15 · Multiple choice
Which court did the Australian Constitution establish? A The Supreme Court of New South Wales B The High Court of Australia C The Family Court D The Magistrates Court
Show answer Correct answer: B — The High Court of Australia
Why? The Constitution established the High Court of Australia, which has the ultimate power to apply and interpret the laws of Australia. Source
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Question 16 · Multiple choice
What happened to Australia's population in the 10 years after the 1851 gold rush began? A It fell by half B It stayed about the same C It more than doubled D It grew by only a few hundred people
Show answer Correct answer: C — It more than doubled
Why? People came from all around the world to try their luck, and in 10 years Australia's population more than doubled. Source
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Question 17 · Multiple choice
Which of these is an example of freedom of speech in Australia? A Criticising the government while obeying the law B Threatening people who disagree with you C Spreading false allegations about a neighbour on social media D Encouraging others to break the law
Show answer Correct answer: A — Criticising the government while obeying the law
Why? Freedom of speech means people can say and write what they think, including criticising the government, so long as they obey the law. Source
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Question 18 · Multiple choice
How can the Australian Constitution be changed? A By a decision of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet B By the people voting in a referendum C By the Governor-General alone D By the High Court
Show answer Correct answer: B — By the people voting in a referendum
Why? The Australian people can change the Constitution by voting in a referendum. Source
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Question 19 · Multiple choice
Under freedom of association, a person in Australia: A Must stay in a group for life once they have joined it B Can join or leave any legal group voluntarily C Can be forced to join a trade union D Must belong to a religious group
Show answer Correct answer: B — Can join or leave any legal group voluntarily
Why? People are free to join or leave any group voluntarily within the law, and cannot be compelled to join or forced to leave. Source
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Question 20 · Multiple choice
Many fine buildings in which state were built from the wealth of the 1850s gold rush? A Western Australia B Victoria C Tasmania D Queensland
Show answer Correct answer: B — Victoria
Why? Our Common Bond says many fine buildings in Victoria were built from the wealth created by the gold rush of the 1850s. Source
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