Filling in Forms

What does 'SURNAME' or 'FAMILY NAME' mean on a form?

• AYour middle name
• BYour nickname
• CYour last name✓
• DYour first name

Answer: SURNAME (also called FAMILY NAME or LAST NAME) is your family name. For example, if you are John Smith, Smith is your surname.

What does 'FORENAME' or 'FIRST NAME' mean on a form?

• AYour last name, also called surname
• BYour first name given at birth✓
• CA nickname your friends use
• DThe name you use at your workplace

Answer: FORENAME (also called FIRST NAME or GIVEN NAME) is your first name. For example, if you are John Smith, John is your first name.

What does 'DATE OF BIRTH' mean on a form?

• AThe day when you and your partner married
• BYour birthday - when you were born✓
• CThe day you started at your first job
• DThe day that your first baby was born

Answer: DATE OF BIRTH is the day you were born. Write it as DD/MM/YYYY (for example: 15/06/1980 for 15th June 1980).

What should you write in the 'ADDRESS' box on a form?

• AYour phone number
• BYour job
• CWhere you live✓
• DYour email

Answer: ADDRESS is where you live. Write your street name and number, town, and postcode.

What does 'POSTCODE' or 'ZIP CODE' mean?

• AThe name of the street where you live
• BThe name of the town where you live
• CA number and letter code for your address✓
• DThe phone number for your home

Answer: POSTCODE (British English) or ZIP CODE (American English) is a number and letter code for your address. In the UK, it looks like 'SW1A 1AA'.

What does 'PHONE NUMBER' or 'TELEPHONE' mean on a form?

• AThe address of the place where you live
• BThe number people can call you on✓
• CYour identity card number
• DYour email address for online messages

Answer: PHONE NUMBER (or TELEPHONE) is the number people can call you on. Include the area code (for example, +44 for UK).

What is an 'EMAIL ADDRESS'?

• AA number that people can ring you on
• BA code that helps your post arrive
• CYour internet contact name (example@example.com)✓
• DThe address of the house where you live

Answer: EMAIL ADDRESS is your internet contact. It looks like: yourname@provider.com. People can send you messages electronically.

What does 'NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER' mean (in the UK)?

• AThe number on your car insurance papers
• BA unique number the government gives you✓
• CThe address where you live now
• DThe number of your bank account

Answer: NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER is a unique code given by the British government. It is used for tax and benefits. It looks like AB 12 34 56 C.

What does 'MALE/FEMALE' or 'GENDER' mean on a form?

• AThe country where you were born
• BHow old you are in years
• CWhether you are a man or woman✓
• DWhether you are married or single

Answer: GENDER (or MALE/FEMALE) asks whether you are a man (male) or woman (female). You tick or write one answer.

What does 'MARITAL STATUS' mean on a form?

• AWhere you work and what your job is
• BHow many children live in your home
• CWhether you are married, single, divorced, or widowed✓
• DHow old you were on your last birthday

Answer: MARITAL STATUS asks if you are: Single (not married), Married, Divorced, or Widowed. Choose the one that is true for you.

What does 'NATIONALITY' mean on a form?

• AWhat country you are from✓
• BThe religion that you follow
• CWhat language you speak at home
• DThe colour of your eyes and hair

Answer: NATIONALITY is what country you are from. For example: British, Polish, Indian, Nigerian, etc.

What does 'OCCUPATION' or 'JOB' mean on a form?

• AHow much money you earn each month
• BThe name of the company you work for
• CWhat your job is / what work you do✓
• DThe town or city where you live

Answer: OCCUPATION (or JOB) is your work. For example: Teacher, Nurse, Builder, Shop Assistant, etc.

What does 'SIGNATURE' mean on a form?

• AYour handwritten name that only you can write✓
• BThe full address of the place where you live now
• CThe day, month and year that you were born
• DYour name printed in clear capital letters

Answer: SIGNATURE is your personal handwritten name. Only you can write your signature. It shows you agree with what is on the form.

When a form says 'TICK' or 'CHECK', what should you do?

• APut a mark in the box (✓)✓
• BWrite your full name in the box
• CRead the question carefully
• DWrite more information here

Answer: TICK (British) or CHECK (American) means put a mark (✓) in the box next to the answer. Sometimes you can only choose one answer.

What does 'PASSPORT NUMBER' mean on a form?

• AThe number printed on your driving licence
• BYour home address and postcode
• CThe unique number in your passport✓
• DThe phone number people can call you on

Answer: PASSPORT NUMBER is the unique code in your passport. It is used to identify you when you travel.

What does 'EMERGENCY CONTACT' mean on a form?

• AThe manager at your workplace
• BThe name of the doctor at your surgery
• CSomeone to call in an emergency✓
• DThe phone number of your local police

Answer: EMERGENCY CONTACT is a person's name and phone number to call if something bad happens to you. Usually it is a family member.

What does 'PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY' mean on a form?

• APrint the form on a printer
• BWrite in very small letters
• CDraw a picture in the box
• DWrite clearly and neatly✓

Answer: PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY means write neatly so people can read your writing. Use capital letters or write in the boxes.

What does 'LEAVE BLANK' or 'NOT APPLICABLE (N/A)' mean?

• AWrite either yes or no in this box
• BWrite any answer you like in the box
• CWrite your full name here
• DDo not write anything in this box✓

Answer: LEAVE BLANK or N/A means do not write anything. This question does not apply to you. Skip it.

What do you do when a form says 'SELECT ALL THAT APPLY'?

• AWrite your own answer in the box below
• BTick all the answers that are true for you✓
• CLeave all of the boxes blank
• DTick one answer only, even if more are true

Answer: SELECT ALL THAT APPLY means you can tick more than one answer. Tick all the answers that are correct for you.

What does 'DECLARATION' or 'I DECLARE THAT...' mean on a form?

• AInstructions for filling the form
• BA statement that you say is true✓
• CA signature area
• DA question to answer

Answer: A DECLARATION is a statement that you promise is true. By signing, you say the information on the form is correct and honest.

What should you do if you make a mistake on a form?

• ACross it out neatly and write the correct answer✓
• BScribble over it completely so no one can read it
• CWrite the new answer on top of it
• DLeave it and hope that no one notices

Answer: If you make a mistake, cross it out neatly and write the correct answer. Do not use correction fluid (Tipp-Ex) on important forms.

What does 'INITIAL' mean on a form?

• AThe first letter(s) of your name(s)✓
• BThe full signature that you write by hand
• CYour family name, written out in full
• DYour complete first name, not shortened

Answer: INITIAL means the first letter of your name(s). For example, if you are John Michael Smith, your initials are J.M.S.

When a form says 'REQUIRED FIELD', what does it mean?

• AYou must fill in this section✓
• BYou can fill it in if you want
• CThis part is for staff to fill in
• DYou can leave this box blank

Answer: REQUIRED FIELD means you must write something in this box. You cannot leave it empty. Usually it has an asterisk (*) next to it.

What does 'NEXT OF KIN' mean on a form?

• AThe doctor at your local surgery
• BYour closest family member✓
• CYour best friend from school
• DYour manager at the place you work

Answer: NEXT OF KIN is your closest family member (usually spouse, parent, or adult child). This person should be contacted in an emergency.

What does 'DATE' mean on a form?

• AThe time of your next appointment at the office
• BThe day you were born
• CThe day you complete the form (DD/MM/YYYY)✓
• DThe day you go out and post the form to the office

Answer: DATE means write the day, month, and year when you complete the form. Write it as DD/MM/YYYY (for example: 25/03/2026).