Make Bradford British

[Econoline]

How "useful" is it to know whether the percentage of the UK's population that lives in Scotland is 8% rather than, say, 11%? Or whether the percentage of the UK population identified themselves as Muslim is 2.7% rather than 3.6%? Or whether the percentage of the UK population which regularly attends religious services is 7, 10, 14, or 18%? Or whether two-thirds of British people own their own homes, or only half? Why would you care about how many bank holidays there are, rather than what days those holidays are? Unless you were Welsh, why would you need to know whether the Welsh Assembly is based in Swansea or Cardiff? Unless you were over 70, why would you need to know how often someone over 70 needs to renew their driver's license? Unless you were blind, why would you need to know precisely how great a discount a blind person is entitled to on their television licence? (And why would a blind person be watching television? )

[Sean]

The licence is for BBC TV and radio.

[Lord Jim]

As I recall, the question doesn't say that.

[Sean]

The test is designed to teach potential citizens about all aspects of life in the UK. That's why it covers such a broad range of topics. Have a look here for a better explanation.

[Sean]

As I recall, the question doesn't say that.

The licence is known in the UK simply as the 'TV Licence' Jim. In a test designed to teach about life in the UK, thay're not about to call it something else...

[Lord Jim]

I'm with Econo...

It seems like Trivial Pursuit: The UK Edition

[Scooter]

How "useful" is it to know whether the percentage of the UK's population that lives in Scotland is 8% rather than, say, 11%?

In discussing parliamentary representation, devolution, burden of taxation, distribution of services, etc.

Or whether the percentage of the UK population identified themselves as Muslim is 2.7% rather than 3.6%?

In discussing trends in religious affiliation, challenges to the assimilation of immigrants, etc.

Or whether the percentage of the UK population which regularly attends religious services is 7, 10, 14, or 18%?

In discussing the continued utility of privileges granted to religious institutions, or whether there should still be an established church.

Or whether two-thirds of British people own their own homes, or only half?

In discussing burden of taxation, provision of services, availability/affordability of housing, etc.

Why would you care about how many bank holidays there are, rather than what days those holidays are?

Because knowing how many paid holidays one has per year is a good thing to know.

Unless you were Welsh, why would you need to know whether the Welsh Assembly is based in Swansea or Cardiff?

Because once someone has immigrated to the UK, they might move to Wales.

Unless you were over 70, why would you need to know how often someone over 70 needs to renew their driver's license?

Because most people will reach 70 at some point.

Unless you were blind, why would you need to know precisely how great a discount a blind person is entitled to on their television licence?

Because you might be caring for a blind person now or in the future, or be blind yourself, or to discuss whether the subsidy is appropriate, and at what level.

And why would a blind person be watching television?

Blind people, well they don't exactly watch, but sit in front of and listen to television all the time. Hence the introduction of described video.

[loCAtek]

9/24, and most of the answers I gave were guesses. (On one of the early questions I tried thinking about it for a few seconds and was marked wrong for using too much time.) After I finished my reaction was much the same as Andrew's. It seemed more like a game of Trivial Pursuit than a realistic citizenship test. Why so many random statistics and percentages?

Ditto

[Andrew D]

What, you don't want your own resurected language?

<chuckle>

And still no response to this:

A dead language is one that is no longer learned as a native language:

dead language
n.
A language, such as Latin, that is no longer learned as a native language by a speech community.

(The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009.)

A native language is one's first language:

your native language or native tongue is the first language that you learn

(MacMillian Dictionary and Thesaurus.)

The only language which was dead and is now being learned as a native language is Hebrew.

QED

<chuckle>

What's the matter, Gob? Cat Dictionaries' got your tongue?

[Sean]

Please Andrew, give it a rest...

[Andrew D]

Please Andrew, give it a rest...

Tell that to Gob.

He threw it into this thread.

I had posted exactly nothing in this thread when he decided to throw it into this thread.

It has nothing to do with this thread.

So how about you post:

Please, Gob, give it a rest ....

Or do the identities of posters matter more than does the content of postings?

[Gob]

Jim raised Cornish, I made a joke.

The old Andrew would have understood that, the new one....


....whines like a bitch

[Sean]

As the man said Andrew, it was a joke. For other examples of this see the 'rock climbing baby' gags thrown into every rock climbing thread.

The difference is that Gob knows how to take a joke.

[Gob]

[Sean]

LMAO - I'm on a roll today with words of wisdom.

Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead...

[Andrew D]

The difference is that Gob knows how to take a joke.

Really?

<chuckle>

wasn't hint enough?

Twice wasn't hint enough?

Not much for picking up on a joke, are you?

Concededly, my jokes are not the funniest ever posted. But if Gob's "What, you don't want your own resurected [sic] language?" qualifies, then any of my attempts at humor should also qualify.

[Gob]

It would help if as well as including the <chuckle> you included some humour or funny stuff, otherwise it would appear you were just being bitter.

[Sean]

The difference is that Gob knows how to take a joke.

Really?

<chuckle>

wasn't hint enough?

Twice wasn't hint enough?

Not much for picking up on a joke, are you?

Concededly, my jokes are not the funniest ever posted. But if Gob's "What, you don't want your own resurected [sic] language?" qualifies, then any of my attempts at humor should also qualify.

Really? It was a joke?
So why the very non-jokey whingey follow up?

Sean wrote:
Please Andrew, give it a rest...

Tell that to Gob.

He threw it into this thread.

I had posted exactly nothing in this thread when he decided to throw it into this thread.

It has nothing to do with this thread.

So how about you post:

Sean wrote:
Please, Gob, give it a rest ....

Or do the identities of posters matter more than does the content of postings?

Why do you feel the need to revisit and revive old arguments Andrew? Is there something inside you that craves conflict?

[Sean]

I'd also like to ask how a quote from here means that you are joking in this thread?

[Andrew D]

Why do you feel the need to revisit and revive old arguments Andrew Gob?

Why is it that when Gob revives an old dispute -- I had posted nothing in this thread -- I end up accused of having revived it? If you have a problem with reviving an old dispute, please take it up with the person who actually revived it.

Is there something inside you that craves conflict?

... but above all argue!