Do you consider yourself a true Guern? Are you knowledgeable enough about our island home to pass the test that you have to take as part of the British citizenship exam? Find out by taking the quiz below. All are sample questions of the type that you might face if you were applying to become a British citizen in Guernsey.

You need to score 15 or more to pass, otherwise you might find yourself on the next boat out of the island!

1. Which of these statements is correct?

AThe Bailiwick of Guernsey includes the Islands of Sark, Herm and Jethou.
BAlderney does not form part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Answer...

Answer = A

Alderney IS also a part of the Bailiwick

2. During the period of the English Civil War, the garrison holding Castle Cornet remained loyal to which person?

AOliver Cromwell
BThe King of France
CThe Duke of Normandy
DThe King of England

Answer...

Answer = D

During the civil war the Castle remained loyal to the King whilst the island declared for parliament

3. During which conflict was Guernsey occupied by Germany?

AThe First World War
BThe Second World War
CThe Napoleonic Wars
DThe English Civil War

Answer...

Answer = B

The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by the Germans during World War II

4. On which date every year is Liberation Day celebrated?

AMay 1st
BMay 9th
CJune 30th
DSeptember 9th

Answer...

Answer = B

On May 9th 1945, the day after V.E. day and after 5 long dark years of occupation, Guernsey was finally free again.

5. Which TWO of the following statements are correct?

AGuernsey’s Legislative Assembly is known as The “States of Deliberation”
BGuernsey is divided into 7 electoral districts
CGuernsey is a full member of the European Union (the EU)
DGuernsey is a part of the United Kingdom.

Answer...

Answer = A and B

6. How often are general elections held in Guernsey?

AEvery 2 years
BEvery 3 years
CEvery 4 years
DEvery 5 years

Answer...

Answer = C

Elections happen every 4 years

7. Which of the following statements is FALSE?

AThe presiding officer of the States of Deliberation is the Bailiff
BFull meetings of the States of Deliberation are held every three months

Answer...

Answer = B

The States meets monthly and the presiding officer of the States is the Bailiff.

8. Which Office has as one of its roles that of the Registrar-General of Births, Marriages and Deaths?

AThe Procureur
BThe Comptroller
CThe Receiver-General
DThe Greffier

Answer...

Answer = D

All births, marriages & deaths are recorded at the Greffe

9. How many States Departments are involved in the day to day administration of matters in Guernsey?

A8
B10
C12
B15

Answer...

Answer = B

10 departments help administer Guernsey

10. Which of the following TWO statements are correct?

AGuernsey is divided into 12 parishes
BThe administration of parish matters is carried out by the “Douzaine”.
CIncome from parishioners is mainly derived from The “Occupier’s Rate”.
DMembers of the Douzaine are appointed by the Chief Minister

Answer...

Answer = B and C

Guernsey consists of 10 parishes and the Douzaine are elected by the parishoners.

11. Is the following statement true or false?
The Bailiwick of Guernsey operates a “Jury System” similar to that used in England and Wales.

ATRUE
BFALSE

Answer...

Answer = B

False. Guernsey operates a system of Jurats.

12. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
The States of Election includes the Rectors of the island’s parish churches.

ATRUE
BFALSE

Answer...

Answer = A

True. The Parish priests are included.

13. Which of the following industries has not contributed to Guernsey’s economy since the beginning of the 19th century?

ABoat Building
BQuarrying for stone
COil Exploration
DHorticulture

Answer...

Answer = C

Although declining, boat building, quarying and horticulture still form a part of the economy of Guernsey.

14. Who is entitled to occupy a dwelling that is categorised as “open market”?

AAnybody
BOnly locally-qualified license holders
COnly those who have obtained a “Right to Work” document
DA person whose net wealth is over £10million

Answer...

Answer = A

Anyone can live in an open market house. It is only ‘local market’ housing that is restricted.

15. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
A National Health Service similar to the one that operates in the UK is available to residents of the Bailiwick

ATRUE
BFALSE

Answer...

Answer = B

False. Private health insurance is needed for most islanders.

16. What is the current school leaving age in Guernsey?

A14
B15
C16
D17

Answer...

Answer = C

The school leaving age is 16 although with parental permission a pupil can leave at the age of 15.

17. Is the following statement true or false?
Contributions to the States Social Insurance Service are income-related but subject to an upper earnings limitation.

ATRUE
BFALSE

Answer...

Answer = A

True. There is an upper salary limit to SI contributions.

18. Which TWO of the following statements are correct?

AThe island of Herm is owned by Guernsey
BJethou is owned by the Crown, leased to Guernsey and sub-let to tenants
CThe island of Brechou is owned by Alderney
DThe island of Herm is owned by the Crown

Answer...

Answer = A and B

Herm is owned by Guernsey whilst Jethou is leased to Guernsey. Both are leased out to tennants.

19. Is the following statement true or false?
The States of Alderney consists of 10 elected members and a President.

ATRUE
BFALSE

Answer...

Answer = A

True. Although part of the bailiwick Alderney has its own States body.

20. Which TWO of the following statements are correct?

AThe States of Alderney is responsible for all public services in Alderney
BThe current “parliament” in Sark is known as the “Chief Pleas”.
CIncome Tax in Sark is levied at the same rate as in Guernsey
DThere are no restrictions on the occupation of a dwelling in Alderney

Answer...

Answer = B and D

The “parliament” in Sark is called the “Chief Pleas” and Alderney has no restrictions on the occupation of a dwelling.