Is it a threat to freedom? The British government believes that ID cards will halt illegal work and make services smoother. But their opponents think the cost to civil liberty is too great.
Britons must carry digital ID, says PM
Civil servitude: The UK government says that digital ID cards will boost border security and simplify government administration with faster, more efficient access to public functions. Not everyone agrees. Comprehension quiz
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What does the word “dystopian” mean?
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Which word is the closest synonym for “mandating”?
A: Suggesting
B: Questioning
C: Requiring
D: Prohibiting
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According to the article, what is the UK government’s primary initial reason for introducing digital ID cards?
A: To allow citizens to report problems like potholes and missed dustbin collections easily.
B: To reduce illegal immigration and halt illegal work.
C: To follow the example of European neighbours like Belgium and Germany.
D: To make tax applications and booking appointments simpler.
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Which two of the following groups are most concerned about the introduction of digital ID cards?
A: The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
B: Civil liberties groups
C: Starmer’s political opponents
D: Working adults
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What is the main argument made by rights charity Liberty against the digital ID scheme?
A: It is too expensive to set up and run.
B: It will exclude vulnerable people who don’t use the internet, making them “second class citizens”.
C: It will not stop illegal work because current right-to-work checks already exist.
D: It will lead to government monitoring and profiling of citizens.
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The article mentions that the failed 2006 ID card card scheme cost £250m and the new scheme is estimated to cost £1bn to set up. What is your opinion on whether the UK government can successfully deliver a large-scale, complex system like this without major cost overruns or security issues?
Answers
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1: A fictional, futuristic, and oppressive world characterised by great suffering, injustice, and dehumanisation., 2: C, 3: B, 4: B and C, 5: B, 6: Your view!
1: A fictional, futuristic, and oppressive world characterised by great suffering, injustice, and dehumanisation., 2: C, 3: B, 4: B and C, 5: B, 6: Your view!
Glossary
Citizens - Legally recognised members of a country or a state.
Tony Blair - Tony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
Mandating - Officially ordering, requiring, or demanding to do something by an official authority.
Coalition - Two sides working together officially.
Populist - The term comes from the People's Party, which operated in the USA in the 1890s. Now, it is often used to refer to any movement that makes a distinction between the "people" and the corrupt "establishment".
Civil liberties - Basic rights and freedoms given to citizens of a country through the law. They include freedom of speech, freedom of movement, and freedom of religious worship. Such rights and freedoms are part of a democratic society and are often denied to those living in a dictatorship.
Quail - To quail at something means to show fear or want to move away from it.
HS2 - A long-planned high-speed railway line in the United Kingdom.