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Life in the UK Test questions and answers PDF

Every one of our 811 practice questions in a single printable file, grouped by chapter, with the correct answer marked and a short explanation under each. Every question was checked by hand against Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition).

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811 questions · 144 pages · 0.6 MB

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What is inside

  • The values and principles of the UK21 questions
  • What is the UK?14 questions
  • A long and illustrious history415 questions
  • A modern, thriving society166 questions
  • The UK government, the law and your role195 questions

The real test is 24 multiple-choice questions, 18 correct to pass (75%), in 45 minutes. Some questions ask you to choose two answers.

Rather be marked?

A PDF shows you the answers. A practice test shows you which ones you actually know.

Free to read, always

A sample of 12 from the PDF

Every question here was checked by hand against Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). How we check

  1. 1.Which of these is a fundamental principle of British life?

    • AMandatory voting
    • BA single state religion
    • CCompulsory military service
    • DThe rule of law

    The fundamental principles of British life include democracy and the rule of law. (The fundamental principles of British life)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  2. 2.Who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury?

    • ASt Columba
    • BSt Patrick
    • CSt Augustine
    • DSt George

    St Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. (The Anglo-Saxons)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  3. 3.What is Henry VIII most famous for?

    • AUniting England and Scotland into one kingdom
    • BBreaking away from the Church of Rome and marrying six times
    • CDefeating the Spanish Armada sent against England
    • DBeing forced by his noblemen to sign Magna Carta

    Two things made Henry VIII famous: six marriages, and the break with the Church of Rome. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  4. 4.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)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  5. 5.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)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  6. 6.Before 1870, what happened to a woman’s property when she married?

    • AIt was held in trust for her children
    • BIt automatically belonged to her husband
    • CIt was taxed at a higher rate
    • DIt remained entirely her own

    Until 1870 a woman's earnings, property and money automatically belonged to her husband when she married. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  7. 7.Which supersonic airliner did Britain and France develop?

    • AThe Harrier
    • BThe Comet
    • CThe Spitfire
    • DConcorde

    Britain and France developed the supersonic commercial airliner Concorde. (Decolonisation, migration and the 1960s)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  8. 8.What is the Church of England called in Scotland and the United States?

    • AThe Presbyterian Church
    • BThe Episcopal Church
    • CThe Church of Scotland
    • DThe Anglican Church

    Elsewhere the Church of England goes by Anglican, and in Scotland and the United States by Episcopal. (Religion in the UK)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  9. 9.Where did the British team finish in the 2012 Olympic medal table?

    • AFifth
    • BSecond
    • CThird
    • DFirst

    The British team finished third in the medal table at the 2012 Olympic Games. (Sport)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  10. 10.Who first built the Tower of London?

    • AEdward I
    • BSir Christopher Wren
    • CHenry VIII
    • DWilliam the Conqueror

    William the Conqueror raised the Tower of London on taking the throne in 1066. (Landmarks and places of interest)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  11. 11.Which TWO are roles of the shadow cabinet?

    Choose two

    • AAppointing life peers
    • BPutting forward alternative policies
    • CChallenging the government
    • DApproving the budget

    The role of the shadow cabinet is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

  12. 12.Where is it against the law to smoke tobacco products?

    • AIn nearly every enclosed public place
    • BOnly on public transport
    • COnly in workplaces
    • DOnly in restaurants and pubs

    Smoking tobacco is unlawful in nearly any enclosed public place here. (Criminal and civil law)

    Think this is wrong? Tell us

Questions are original works testing facts published in Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), © Crown copyright 2013. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Home Office.