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Life in the UK Test

Life in the UK Test full exam 16

The real conditions: 24 questions, 45 minutes on the clock, no explanations until you finish. 18 correct to pass.

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All 24 questions and answers

  1. 1.Which of these is a principle in the European Convention on Human Rights?

    • AThe right to stand for Parliament
    • BProhibition of torture
    • CThe right to own property
    • DThe right to free healthcare

    Principles in the European Convention on Human Rights include the right to life and prohibition of torture. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

  2. 2.What are Halloween’s roots?

    • AA Christian festival honouring the dead
    • BA pagan festival to mark the beginning of winter
    • CA Celtic harvest festival held in autumn
    • DA Roman festival of light and lanterns

    Halloween, 31 October, is an ancient festival with roots in the pagan festival to mark the beginning of winter. (Other festivals and bank holidays)

  3. 3.Who took over as Prime Minister in 2007?

    • AGordon Brown
    • BTheresa May
    • CDavid Cameron
    • DTony Blair

    Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister in 2007. (The 1970s onwards, Thatcher, Blair and Brexit)

  4. 4.At what age is it legal to be sold tobacco products?

    • A16
    • B21
    • C18
    • D17

    It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. (Criminal and civil law)

  5. 5.Who is responsible for the economy?

    • AThe Foreign Secretary
    • BThe Home Secretary
    • CThe Prime Minister
    • DThe Chancellor of the Exchequer

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  6. 6.How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?

    • A60
    • B108
    • C129
    • D650

    There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs, elected by a form of proportional representation. (Devolved administrations)

  7. 7.What does Easter Sunday mark?

    • AThe death of Jesus Christ upon the cross
    • BThe end of the 40 days of Lent
    • CThe birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem
    • DThe rising of Jesus Christ from the dead

    Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a public holiday. (Christian festivals)

  8. 8.B1 is equivalent to which ESOL level?

    • ALevel 3
    • BEntry Level 1
    • CLevel 2
    • DEntry Level 3

    B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference is equivalent to ESOL Entry Level 3. (Becoming a permanent resident)

  9. 9.What were working conditions like during the Industrial Revolution?

    • AWell regulated by Parliament
    • BLimited to ten hours a day by law
    • CVery poor, with no laws to protect employees
    • DBetter than in other countries

    Working conditions during the Industrial Revolution were very poor and there were no laws to protect employees. (The Industrial Revolution)

  10. 10.Who mapped the coast of Australia?

    • ASir Francis Drake
    • BSir Francis Chichester
    • CCaptain James Cook
    • DSir Walter Raleigh

    Captain James Cook mapped the coast of Australia. (The Industrial Revolution)

  11. 11.How did the war against Japan end?

    • AJapan surrendered after the fall of Germany
    • BThe United States dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
    • CJapan was invaded by allied forces
    • DThe Soviet Union defeated Japan in Manchuria

    Atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war against Japan in August 1945. (Allied victory and post-war reform)

  12. 12.When does Easter take place?

    • AOn a fixed date each year
    • BIn April or May
    • CIn February or March
    • DIn March or April

    Easter takes place in March or April. (Christian festivals)

  13. 13.What does the monarch do at the opening of each new parliamentary session?

    • AAppoints the members of the cabinet
    • BPresents the budget for the year ahead
    • CMakes a speech summarising the government’s policies for the year ahead
    • DSwears in the newly elected members of Parliament

    The monarch opens the new parliamentary session each year with a speech summarising the government's policies for the year ahead. (The monarchy)

  14. 14.Who is the Prime Minister?

    • AThe leader of the political party in power
    • BThe leader of the largest party in the House of Lords
    • CThe MP with the longest service
    • DThe Speaker of the House of Commons

    The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party in power. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  15. 15.By what other name is Father Christmas known?

    • AThe Christmas Man
    • BSanta Claus
    • CSt Nicholas
    • DOld Nick

    Father Christmas is also known as Santa Claus. (Christian festivals)

  16. 16.What was the UK population in 1901?

    • A40 million
    • B8 million
    • C50 million
    • D20 million

    The population of the UK was 40 million in 1901 and 50 million in 1951. (Population and diversity)

  17. 17.When did the great fire destroy much of London?

    • AThe year after the outbreak of plague
    • BTen years after the outbreak of plague
    • CThe year Charles II returned from exile
    • DThe same year as the outbreak of plague

    A great fire destroyed much of London the year after the plague, including many churches and St Paul's Cathedral. (The Restoration)

  18. 18.Whom was James II’s elder daughter Mary married to?

    • AWilliam of Orange
    • BJames VI of Scotland
    • CGeorge I
    • DCharles II

    Mary, the elder daughter of James II, had married her cousin William of Orange, Protestant ruler of the Netherlands. (A Catholic king and the Glorious Revolution)

  19. 19.Which TWO comic operas did Gilbert and Sullivan write?

    Choose two

    • ACats
    • BThe Pirates of Penzance
    • CPeter Grimes
    • DHMS Pinafore

    Gilbert and Sullivan wrote comic operas including HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. (Arts, culture and leisure)

  20. 20.What is the most famous cricket competition?

    • AThe Open Championship
    • BThe Ashes
    • CThe Super League
    • DThe Six Nations Championship

    The most famous cricket competition is the Ashes, a series of Test matches played between England and Australia. (Sport)

  21. 21.What must you show at a polling station in Northern Ireland?

    • AYour passport
    • BProof of address only
    • CYour poll card only
    • DPhotographic identification

    In Northern Ireland you have to show photographic identification at the polling station. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)

  22. 22.Which TWO events happened during the Second World War?

    Choose two

    • AThe Great Exhibition
    • BThe evacuation of Dunkirk
    • CThe Battle of Trafalgar
    • DThe Battle of Britain

    Free at the point of use, the NHS guaranteed everyone a minimum standard of health care. (Allied victory and post-war reform)

  23. 23.On what date is Vaisakhi celebrated?

    • A5 November
    • B31 October
    • C14 April
    • D1 March

    Vaisakhi is celebrated on 14 April each year with parades, dancing and singing. (Other religious festivals)

  24. 24.For how long do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

    • AEight days
    • BForty days
    • CA month
    • DFive days

    A month of Muslim fasting, Ramadan, is brought to a close by Eid al-Fitr. (Other religious festivals)

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