How the Theory Test Works - Reality

So... Many... Butterflies!!!

I'm usually not a person who talks about their day, but this is something I feel is noteworthy and useful to all those who might have to go through this. So; yesterday, I went for a Theory Driving Test. For those who don't know what that is, let me explain.

In the UK all young drivers are required to pass a Theory and a Practical Test in order to gain a Driving Licence. The theory test requires you to pass two stages (as explained below). You will book a date online for you to go to a registered test centre. Here you will be given a booth with a computer screen and be expected to complete the tasks


1 - Multiple Choice -
In the test (that I did, yours may vary,) we were given 15min to complete a practice multiple choice section. This was to get you associated with the style of questions that was being asked and did not affect your results. I advise people to spend 5-10 running through this, just you are familiar with what to do.

I feel this helped me when the actual multiple choice test came along. As a result, I ended up rushing through the questions quite quickly. I was given 57min to answer the 50 questions, however; I ended up completing the choice test in far less than the maximum time limit. So, rather unsurprisingly I went back and reviewed my answers. However after checking through them I ended the test with 18mins still to go. Despite this though, the first 4 questions were quite hard for me, as a result I panicked a bit at the start, concerned the rest were that hard, but after a few deep breaths I calmed down.

2 - Hazard Perception Test -
In this part of the exam, we were first shown an example on how this works. Basically; we're are shown a (highly CGI'd) clip from the on board of a car. We have to click the mouse when a hazard appears. There will one major hazard that will develop. You will score more points depending on how early you pick it up.
  However; there will be one clip that will contain 2 hazards. We will be shown 14 clips in total and, we have to score a certain number of points in order to pass. The score for each clip will range from 5 points (top) to 0 points (bottom) depending on how early you spotted the hazard. What probably shouldn't have happened however, is that I started to feel sleepy in the warm room (oops).

At the end of this I was then made to complete a survey, but I think that's more for the company than anything, it did say it wouldn't affect my results. I did have a bit of problems trying to understand what the flag button was for. But in the end it didn't matter.


 - Do you think that everyone will understand that
 - Depends on if I worded it OK.
 - Knowing you, no ones going to understand
 - Yeah, my writing skills aren't excellent

You'll all be glad to hear that I PASSED the test. This means I can now aim for the practical. I'll tell you what happens with that in due course. In the meantime, good luck and good day.

The who never failed, never achieved anything

 -|CJ|-

Fiji's Flag Fuss - Ranting

Oh look, he's back!

Um, well, no. I'm probably not going to be doing a lot more, this is just because I saw something I care about and have a bit of spare time.

So yeah, Fiji. Small island nation of 850'000 people, gaining Independence in 1970 from the British. Has established itself as a major holiday resort and one of the largest island groups in the Pacific. However; Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, has recently voiced his concern that the country should get a new identity and scrap the flag. "The new flag should reflect Fiji's position in the world today as a modern and truly independent nation state" he stated. "We need to replace the symbols on our existing flag that are out of date and no longer relevant, including some anchored to our colonial past" he said. Bainimarama's main concern is the inclusion of the British insignia and has been known to dislike the British culture, having gotten rid of the Queen's head printed on its money.

As a keen vexillologist ...

 - Really, you think people will know what that is?

 - They can search it up.

 - Pfff, unlikely, they'll think you're being pompous!

 - OK fine. It's the study of flags ... I know, thrilling.

Anyway, I am quite keen on this subject. Firstly; I feel his way of saying the flag represents the past is a bit contradictory of the point of flag. A flag should, in my eyes, be there to show a countries history. It represents the land, the people and how it has reached that point in time. Which is why I feel it's not a major issue having the British flag in the corner, as it represents what is quite a large part of the country's history. 

Removing the British flag from a flag is not uncommon, its been something that has been done many times before with nations who have become independent. (see above) However; this is starting to raise concerns over the future for these flags. Australia, New Zealand and Tuvalu are now the only countries with the British Flag on them and the former two have both had talks about potentially changing the flag. Many of the countries who changed their flag had done so because they became a republic, not accepting the British monarchy as their (theoretical) head of state and Fiji did just this in 1970 when it too became a republic. So, many would argue, it has the right to break further away from the UK.

However; like all commonwealth nations, Fiji needs to accept that much of what it is now is because of the British governments leadership. While its majority use of English and the fact they drive on the left seemingly the few things left on the face of it, the culture still lingers.

The other question to be raised is; does this affect the commonwealth territories. While it may be reasonable for a nation to establish its Independence with a new non-colonial flag what about those islands/ territories who aren't independent, for various reasons. If they're are still governed by a country, is there a need for them to change. The point of putting a Union Flag in the corner of many colonies was not to show we oppressed them, but to show that they were united under a single ideology, of which, they still are. 

Also, what would happen to areas such as Niue (see left) or the Cook Islands, both are governed by New Zealand. If NZ decides to change its flag, should Niue/ Cook Islands keep with its traditional insignia or should it adopt a New Zealand type flag. Then again Norfolk Island, part of the Australian commonwealth, has a completely separate flag. The problem with this, is that it continues the idea of representation, rather than self identity. This is not just a British thing either; France does the same with its territories, as do many states/ provinces of various countries, who have a common insignia.

I won't make a decision on whether changing Fiji's identity is a good or bad thing, instead I'll leave it up to you. Thank you for reading through (even though I know you skipped some -_- )

Make Yourself Known

-|CJ|-