Practice questions on Part 4 of Our Common Bond, guide pages 33 to 39, grouped by topic. Pick your answer, then open it: the explanation and the page in the guide are under each question.
Written by Cal Australia from the guide. These are not questions from the test. The number of answer options in the test is not published; we show 3, or 2 for situations.
Every question on this page is a values question in our tagging. Home Affairs does not publish which test questions count as values questions. In the test, all 5 values questions must be right.
1. A state Premier says her job is so important that she does not have to follow a court order. Is she right?
AA: Yes, government leaders are above court orders
BB: Yes, if her party agrees with her
CC: No, leaders must obey the law like everyone
See the answer
Answer: C, No, leaders must obey the law like everyone
No one is above the law, including leaders of government. Under the Rule of Law, everyone must obey Australia's laws. See Our Common Bond, pages 18 and 34.
Not A: Nobody is above the law, and that includes leaders of government.
Not B: Party support does not place anyone above the law; everyone must obey it.
4. Omar says the King makes Australia's laws. Which is correct?
AA: The King makes them from Britain
BB: The Governor-General makes them alone
CC: Elected parliaments make them
See the answer
Answer: C, Elected parliaments make them
Our laws are determined by parliaments elected by the people. The King does not have a day-to-day role in government. See Our Common Bond, pages 26 and 34.
Not A: The King does not make Australia's laws; elected parliaments do, and the King has no day-to-day role in government.
Not B: The Governor-General signs Bills passed by the Australian Parliament but cannot make laws alone.
6. Residents hold signs and give speeches at a peaceful rally against a council decision. They have police approval and obey all other laws. Which is correct?
AA: This is a lawful way to disagree
BB: It is illegal to protest against a council
CC: Only councillors may criticise the council
See the answer
Answer: A, This is a lawful way to disagree
Peaceful protest against a government decision is part of our democracy. People must still obey the law. See Our Common Bond, pages 19 and 35.
Not B: People may peacefully protest against government decisions, and a council decision is one of them.
Not C: Anyone may criticise the council within the law, not only councillors.
7. Mei, 24, is invited to join a group that plans violent attacks on people of another religion. Which is correct?
AA: She is free to join it, like any group
BB: She may join it if her family agrees
CC: Freedom of association does not cover this group
See the answer
Answer: C, Freedom of association does not cover this group
Freedom of association covers legal organisations and groups that act within the law. Promoting violence against a group is never acceptable and is against the law. See Our Common Bond, page 35.
Not A: Freedom of association covers only lawful groups, and a group planning violence is not one.
Not B: Family agreement cannot make it acceptable to join a group that plans violence against others.
9. Peter is still married to his first wife. Now he marries Hana in Australia as a second wife. Which is correct?
AA: This is lawful, as he has only one wife
BB: This is polygamy, which is against the law
CC: He needs his first wife's permission
See the answer
Answer: B, This is polygamy, which is against the law
Polygamy, being married to more than one person at the same time, is against the law in Australia. It can lead to severe penalties, including prison. See Our Common Bond, page 35.
Not A: He is still married to his first wife, so he would have two wives at the same time.
Not C: Permission changes nothing: a second marriage while still married is polygamy, which is against the law.
11. Ken and his wife have a loud argument. Ken feels very angry, so he leaves the room to calm down. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: A, Matches Australian values
Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a criminal offence. Australians believe in peaceful disagreement. See Our Common Bond, pages 36 and 37.
12. A real estate agent refuses to rent a flat to a family only because of their race. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: B, Goes against Australian values
Laws in Australia protect people from being treated differently because of their race. People from all backgrounds must not be discriminated against. See Our Common Bond, page 36.
13. A hospital has a nursing job open to anyone. It hires Ben, a man, because he has the best skills and experience. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: A, Matches Australian values
A person should get a job based on their skills and experience, not their gender. The law supports choosing the person with the best skills and experience. See Our Common Bond, page 36.
15. A sports club will not let equally skilled members become leaders only because their families migrated to Australia recently. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: B, Goes against Australian values
Everyone deserves a 'fair go', and people should not be limited by any kind of class distinction. Everyone should have an equal opportunity, whatever their background. See Our Common Bond, page 36.
16. Kim and her uncle vote for different parties. At dinner, they listen to each other's views calmly. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: A, Matches Australian values
Mutual respect means listening to others and respecting their views, even when they differ from yours. People should be tolerant when they disagree. See Our Common Bond, page 37.
20. A serious illness stops Ana from working, so she receives a government pension. Does this go against what Australians expect?
AA: No, people support themselves when they are able
BB: Yes, everyone must work, whatever their health
CC: Yes, unless her family pays her costs
See the answer
Answer: A, No, people support themselves when they are able
Everyone has a responsibility to try to support themselves and their families when they are able to. Social security helps people in need, and Ana is not able to work. See Our Common Bond, pages 38 and 43.
Not B: The expectation is to support yourself when able to, and a serious illness means Ana is not able.
Not C: Her illness is what matters; receiving help while unable to work does not go against Australian values.
23. Ravi is applying for citizenship. English is not his first language, so he goes to English classes each week. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: A, Matches Australian values
Applicants for citizenship must undertake to make reasonable efforts to learn English if it is not their first language. Learning English also helps with work and community life. See Our Common Bond, page 38.
24. Tom overhears his neighbour planning a serious crime. What should Tom do?
AA: Wait to see if it really happens
BB: Talk to the neighbour, but no one else
CC: Report it to the authorities
See the answer
Answer: C, Report it to the authorities
If you suspect someone may be planning a serious crime, you should report it to Australian government authorities as soon as possible. This helps keep the community safe. See Our Common Bond, page 38.
Not A: A suspected serious crime should be reported to authorities as soon as possible, not after it happens.
Not B: Talking only to the neighbour is not enough; it should be reported to government authorities.
25. After a break up, Dan posts private sexual photos of his former partner online without her consent. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: B, Goes against Australian values
Sharing sexual photos or videos online without consent is cyber abuse. Many forms of cyber abuse are illegal in Australia. See Our Common Bond, page 38.
29. Jake is an Australian citizen on holiday in another country. He says no Australian law can reach him there. Is he right?
AA: Yes, Australian laws stop at the border
BB: No, some Australian laws still apply to him there
CC: Yes, only that country's laws exist for him
See the answer
Answer: B, No, some Australian laws still apply to him there
Some Australian laws still apply to Australian citizens when they are overseas. For example, sex with a child under 16 is illegal for Australians here or overseas. See Our Common Bond, page 38.
Not A: Some Australian laws still apply to citizens overseas, such as the ban on sexual activity with a child under 16.
Not C: He must follow the local laws, but some Australian laws also still apply to him abroad.
30. Mei is a citizen of Australia and of another country. While in Australia, she follows Australian law where the two countries' laws differ. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: A, Matches Australian values
A dual citizen within Australia must follow all Australian laws at all times. Holding another citizenship does not change this. See Our Common Bond, page 38.
