Life in the UK Test

Chapter 2: A Changing Society

Children, family and young people

• 25% of the total population are young people up to the age of 19.
• 65% live with their parents.
• 25% live with single parents(either father or mother)
• 10% are looked after by step family.
• Out door leisure activities by children drastically declined due to home entertainment such as TV, Computer games, videos and increasing concern over child safety.

Child Education

• Full time Education between the age of 5 and 16 is compulsory by law.

Age 5    Compulsory education starts
Age 7    National tests on English Maths &Science
Age 11   National tests on English Maths &Science only in England and wales
Age 14   National test on English, Maths & science
Age 16   General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
Age 17   General Certificate of Education at an Advanced subsidiary level(AS)
Age 18   General Certificate of Education at an Advanced level(AGCE)

One in three young people go to university on the completion of AGCE . Some defer their university entrance by one year(gap year) to do voluntary work and travel overseas.

People over 16 years of age may choose to study at colleges and further education or adult education centres.

Young people often do part time work such as paper delivery,working in super markets or news agents. But law permits only certain types of jobs.
See more details on this.

It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 16 years old.(Note: This limit is going to be raised to 18 years from October 2007) and alcohol to anyone under 18 years.

Young people can vote in the elections from the age of 18. Although young people show little interest in party politics there is strong evidence that many are interested in specific political issues such as environment and cruelty to animals.Latest survey shows increasing number of youngsters are involved in community or charity work.

Now you can try a practice test on Chapter 2: A Changing Society

Next Chapter 3: UK TODAY: A Profile.