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The Commonwealth: Life in the UK test revision

What the Life in the UK test can ask about this topic, explained in plain English. We have 3 checked facts on this topic. Here are the 3 that come up most.

The facts to know

Most Commonwealth member states were once part of what?

The British Empire.

The Commonwealth grew out of the old British Empire. As colonies became independent, many chose to stay linked as equal partners. That is why most members share a history with Britain. The door is not closed to others, though: a small number of countries with no imperial past have joined too.

Why it matters: A classic true/false item: the handbook says most, not all, members were once in the British Empire.

Memory hook: Empire ended, Commonwealth extended: most came from the Empire, a few came from elsewhere.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 90

What kind of membership does the Commonwealth have?

Voluntary.

Nobody is made to be in the Commonwealth. Countries join because they want to work together on democracy and development, and they can leave if they wish. This fits with the Commonwealth having no real power over its members. Its only sanction is to suspend a member that breaks its values.

Why it matters: Pairs with the fact that the Commonwealth has no power over members but can suspend them.

Memory hook: Commonwealth is a club, not a cage: you volunteer to join, and only the club can suspend you.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 90

Apart from the UK, which European countries are Commonwealth members?

Cyprus and Malta.

The handbook lists Commonwealth members by region: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe and the Pacific. Europe is the smallest group, with just three members. Cyprus and Malta are both Mediterranean islands with a British colonial past, which explains why they sit alongside the UK in the European column.

Why it matters: Questions on which countries belong to the Commonwealth often offer European names as the wrong answers.

Memory hook: Three in Europe, two in the Med: Cyprus and Malta join the UK on the list.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 90

Try 1 practice question

Question 1

Which of these statements is correct?

  1. The Commonwealth's European members are the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal.
  2. The Commonwealth's European members are the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Malta.
Show the answer

Answer: The Commonwealth's European members are the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Malta.

The handbook lists Commonwealth members by region: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe and the Pacific. Europe is the smallest group, with just three members. Cyprus and Malta are both Mediterranean islands with a British colonial past, which explains why they sit alongside the UK in the European column.

Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.7, page 90

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