Could you pass a year 10 civics test? Only 28% of Australian students can

Just 28% of year 10 students met the proficient standard for ‘attitudes and engagement’ with civics and citizenship, a fall from 38% in 2019 and the lowest level since assessments began in 2004. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Australian students’ understanding of civics education has fallen to a record low, a national test indicates.

The test, held by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (Acara) to measure “attitudes and engagement” with civics and citizenship, found 43% of year 6 students met the proficient standard, compared with 53% in 2019.

Just 28% of year 10 students met the proficient standard, a fall from 38% in 2019 and the lowest level since assessments began in 2004.

A parliamentary committee this month recommended the rollout of a universal and mandatory civics and citizenship curriculum, noting Australia’s system of compulsory voting and a precarious environment in which “democracies around the world … are facing rising disengagement, distrust … misinformation and disinformation”.

Acara’s example online test for year 10 students veered into the philosophical, covering topics from multiculturalism to protest laws.

Here is a sample of some of the questions – see how your knowledge stacks up.

1. Which of the following would be the task of a local council?

   1. Setting up schools

   2. Looking after parks and gardens

   3. Making sure hospitals run smoothly

   4. Taking part in parliamentary sessions

2. In 1965, a student group from the University of Sydney organised a bus tour of country towns in New South Wales. The group, called Student Action for Aborigines (Safa), wanted to investigate the state of Aboriginal health, education and housing in rural communities. This bus tour came to be known as a 'Freedom Ride'. In towns such as Walgett, Moree and Bowraville, the students protested against racial discrimination that prevented Aboriginal people from going to clubs, swimming pools, hotels and cafes. Why were the students able to protest in the country towns they visited?

   1. In Australia, all forms of protest are encouraged.

   2. In Australia, different laws apply in country towns to the cities.

   3. In Australia, people have the right to say and do as they please.

   4. In Australia, people have the right to organise legal forms of protest.

3. What is the main reason that the 'separation of powers' exists in a democracy?

   1. To keep traditions

   2. To make the system fair

   3. To make the system fast

   4. To make the system cheap to run

4. In democratic decision-making, how can the views of minority groups best be considered?

   1. By ensuring that the opinions of their members are made clear to the majority group

   2. By allowing their members to vote more than once

   3. By explaining to their members why their opinions are less important than the majority

   4. By asking the majority group to ignore their own needs and think only of the needs of others

5. Why did Australia move from a policy of assimilation to one of multiculturalism?

   1. Australia did not have an identifiable culture of its own.

   2. The government found it too difficult to force people to assimilate.

   3. The diversity of immigrants coming to live in Australia needed to be recognised.

   4. The government wanted equal numbers of immigrants from a variety of countries.

6. Australia gives aid to a number of countries throughout the world. The Australian government provided approximately $4bn in Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2015–16. Why would the Australian government choose to provide $4bn in foreign aid?

   1. The Australian government does not need the money for anything else.

   2. The Australian government wants to control the countries that accept Australian aid.

   3. The Australian government believes in the value of helping people in need throughout the world.

   4. The Australian government wants to prove to the rest of the world that Australia is a rich and powerful nation.

7. What is the main role of the speaker of the House of Representatives?

   1. To keep order when parliament is in session

   2. To make the final decision on important policies in parliament

   3. To make important policy speeches when parliament is in session

   4. To make sure that all members of parliament vote on important issues

Solutions

1:B, 2:D, 3:B, 4:A, 5:C, 6:C, 7:A

Scores

1. 7 and above.

   Well done!

2. 6 and above.

   Well done!

3. 5 and above.

   Well done!

4. 4 and above.

   Well done!

5. 3 and above.

   Better luck next time!

6. 2 and above.

   Better luck next time!

7. 0 and above.

   Better luck next time!

8. 1 and above.

   Better luck next time!