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Life in the UK Test questions and answers
There are 811 practice questions here, each with its correct answer and an explanation, written from Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). The real Life in the UK Test is 24 questions in 45 minutes and you need 18 correct to pass. Reading is free and needs no account.
You will learn more by taking a timed test than by reading answers.
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)
2.Tolerance of what is named as a fundamental principle of British life?
- AThose with different faiths and beliefs
- BThose who refuse jury service
- CThose who avoid paying tax
- DThose who break the law
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs is a fundamental principle of British life. (The fundamental principles of British life)
3.Which TWO are fundamental principles of British life?
Choose two
- ACompulsory military service
- BDemocracy
- CA single state religion
- DIndividual liberty
The fundamental principles of British life include democracy and the rule of law. (The fundamental principles of British life)
4.What does the handbook say British society has no place for?
- AExtremism or intolerance
- BReligious observance
- CTrade unions
- DPolitical disagreement
There is no place in British society for extremism or intolerance. (The fundamental principles of British life)
5.What do new citizens do about the fundamental values of the UK at the citizenship ceremony?
- AThey pledge to uphold them
- BThey choose which ones to accept
- CThey register them with the council
- DThey sit a further written test
At the citizenship ceremony new citizens pledge to uphold these values. (The fundamental principles of British life)
6.Which TWO are responsibilities of everyone living in the UK?
Choose two
- ARespect and obey the law
- BServe in the armed forces
- CTreat others with fairness
- DJoin a political party
Residents should respect and obey the law. (Responsibilities and freedoms)
7.Which of these does the UK offer in return for the responsibilities of residents?
- AFree housing
- BA guaranteed job
- CFreedom from unfair discrimination
- DExemption from taxation
The UK offers freedom of speech and freedom from unfair discrimination. (Responsibilities and freedoms)
8.Which right does the UK offer in relation to the courts?
- AA right to appeal any verdict twice
- BA right to choose your judge
- CA right to refuse jury service
- DA right to a fair trial
The UK offers a right to a fair trial. (Responsibilities and freedoms)
9.Whose opinions are residents expected to respect?
- AOther people’s, including their right to their own opinions
- BOnly the opinions of elected representatives
- COnly opinions held by a majority of people
- DOnly opinions expressed openly in Parliament
Residents should respect the rights of others, including their right to their own opinions. (Responsibilities and freedoms)
10.What are residents expected to look after besides themselves and their family?
- AThe national economy and the value of the pound
- BThe area in which they live and the environment
- CTheir local church and its congregation
- DThe interests of their employer and its business
Residents should look after the area in which they live and the environment. (Responsibilities and freedoms)
11.What level of English speaking and listening must applicants evidence?
- AA1 of the Common European Framework of Reference
- BC1 of the Common European Framework of Reference
- CB1 of the Common European Framework of Reference
- DC2 of the Common European Framework of Reference
B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference is equivalent to ESOL Entry Level 3. (Becoming a permanent resident)
12.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)
13.Which TWO must an applicant for settlement do?
Choose two
- AProvide evidence of English speaking and listening skills
- BJoin one of the major British political parties
- CBuy a property somewhere in the United Kingdom
- DPass the Life in the UK test
Applicants must pass the Life in the UK test. (Becoming a permanent resident)
14.What do successful applicants do at a citizenship ceremony?
- AMake a pledge to uphold the values of the UK
- BSurrender their previous passport
- CRegister with their local council
- DSit a second written test
At a citizenship ceremony new citizens pledge to uphold the values of the UK. (Becoming a permanent resident)
15.How many questions are in the Life in the UK test?
- A30
- B20
- C24
- D45
Candidates sitting together in one session each receive a different set of 24 questions. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
16.Which parts of the handbook are the questions based on?
- AOnly the government chapter
- BOnly the chapters after the introduction
- CAll parts, including the introduction
- DOnly the history chapter
Questions are based on all parts of the handbook, including the introduction. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
17.What will you NOT be asked to remember?
- ADates of birth or death
- BThe date of the Battle of Hastings
- CThe capital cities of the UK
- DThe names of the patron saints
You will not need to remember dates of birth or death. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
18.In which other languages can special arrangements be made to take the test?
- AAny language on request
- BFrench or German
- CIrish Gaelic or Cornish
- DWelsh or Scottish Gaelic
The test is usually taken in English, although special arrangements can be made for Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
19.Where can you book the Life in the UK test?
- AOnline only
- BAt any post office
- CAt your local council
- DBy telephone only
You can only book your test online. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
20.What must you take with you to the test?
- AYour copy of the official handbook
- BA recent passport photograph of yourself
- CTwo references as to your character
- DIdentification and proof of your address
You need to take identification and proof of your address to the test. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
21.About how many registered test centres are there in the UK?
- AAbout 5
- BOver 300
- COver 30
- DExactly 24
There are over 30 registered Life in the UK test centres in the UK. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
22.Which four countries make up the UK?
- AEngland, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
- BEngland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
- CEngland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands
- DEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (The countries of the UK)
23.What is the official name of the country?
- AThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- BThe Commonwealth of Great Britain
- CThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- DThe British Isles
Officially the country is named the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (The countries of the UK)
24.Which countries does ‘Great Britain’ refer to?
- AEngland, Scotland and Wales
- BThe UK and the Crown dependencies
- CEngland and Wales only
- DEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Great Britain refers only to England, Scotland and Wales. (The countries of the UK)
25.What is the status of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man?
- AThey are counties of England
- BThey are British overseas territories
- CThey are part of Great Britain
- DThey are Crown dependencies with their own governments
The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies and are not part of the UK. (The countries of the UK)
26.Which of these is a British overseas territory?
- AThe Republic of Ireland
- BThe Isle of Man
- CJersey
- DThe Falkland Islands
St Helena and the Falkland Islands are British overseas territories linked to the UK but not part of it. (The countries of the UK)
27.Where does the parliament that governs the UK sit?
- AWestminster
- BStormont
- CHolyrood
- DCardiff Bay
The UK is governed by the parliament sitting in Westminster. (The countries of the UK)
28.Which TWO are Crown dependencies?
Choose two
- AThe Channel Islands
- BSt Helena
- CThe Isle of Man
- DThe Falkland Islands
The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies and are not part of the UK. (The countries of the UK)
29.What is the capital city of the UK?
- ABelfast
- BCardiff
- CLondon
- DEdinburgh
London is the capital city of the UK. (Capital cities and geography)
30.What is the capital city of Scotland?
- AGlasgow
- BEdinburgh
- CDundee
- DAberdeen
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. (Capital cities and geography)
31.What is the capital city of Wales?
- ANewport
- BBangor
- CSwansea
- DCardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. (Capital cities and geography)
32.What is the capital city of Northern Ireland?
- ADublin
- BArmagh
- CBelfast
- DLondonderry
Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. (Capital cities and geography)
33.Where in Europe is the UK located?
- AIn the south east
- BIn the north west
- CIn the far north
- DIn central Europe
The UK is located in the north west of Europe. (Capital cities and geography)
34.Between which two points is the longest distance on the UK mainland?
- ALand’s End and Dover
- BJohn O’Groats and Cardiff
- CJohn O’Groats and Land’s End
- DBelfast and London
The longest distance on the mainland is from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in England. (Capital cities and geography)
35.Approximately how long is the longest distance on the UK mainland?
- AAbout 870 miles
- BAbout 400 miles
- CAbout 1,870 miles
- DAbout 250 miles
The distance from John O'Groats to Land's End is about 870 miles, approximately 1,400 kilometres. (Capital cities and geography)
36.What were the first people to live in Britain?
- AHunter-gatherers
- BTraders
- CMetalworkers
- DFarmers
The first people to live in Britain were hunter-gatherers in the Stone Age. (Early Britain)
37.About how long ago did Britain become permanently separated from the continent?
- AAbout 4,000 years ago
- BAbout 2,000 years ago
- CAbout 10,000 years ago
- DAbout 6,000 years ago
About 10,000 years ago the Channel cut Britain off from the continent for good. (Early Britain)
38.How long ago did the first farmers arrive in Britain?
- A6,000 years ago
- B4,000 years ago
- C2,000 years ago
- D10,000 years ago
The first farmers arrived in Britain 6,000 years ago. (Early Britain)
39.In which English county does Stonehenge stand?
- ADorset
- BSuffolk
- COrkney
- DWiltshire
Stonehenge in Wiltshire was probably a special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies. (Early Britain)
40.What was Stonehenge probably used for?
- AA royal burial ground
- BA trading post
- CSeasonal ceremonies
- DA hill fort
Stonehenge in Wiltshire was probably a special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies. (Early Britain)
41.What is Skara Brae?
- AA Roman fort standing on Hadrian’s Wall
- BAn Iron Age hill fort in the county of Dorset
- CThe best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe
- DA Bronze Age burial mound in Wiltshire
Skara Brae on Orkney is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe. (Early Britain)
42.Where is Skara Brae?
- AAnglesey
- BOrkney
- CWiltshire
- DDorset
Skara Brae on Orkney is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe. (Early Britain)
43.What kind of homes did people live in during the Bronze Age?
- ALonghouses
- BHill forts
- CRoundhouses
- DRound barrows
Bronze Age homes were roundhouses, and the dead went into tombs called round barrows. (Early Britain)
44.What were Bronze Age tombs called?
- AHill forts
- BRoundhouses
- CCairns
- DRound barrows
Bronze Age homes were roundhouses, and the dead went into tombs called round barrows. (Early Britain)
45.Which Iron Age hill fort does the handbook name?
- AMaiden Castle in Dorset
- BStonehenge in Wiltshire
- CEdinburgh Castle
- DThe Tower of London
Maiden Castle in Dorset is an impressive Iron Age hill fort. (Early Britain)
46.Which language family did Iron Age people in Britain speak?
- ALatin
- BGermanic
- CNorse
- DCeltic
The language of the Iron Age was part of the Celtic language family. (Early Britain)
47.What marks the beginning of British history?
- AThe Roman invasion of AD 43
- BThe first coins minted in Britain
- CThe building of Stonehenge
- DThe arrival of the first farmers
The first coins to be minted in Britain were made in the Iron Age. (Early Britain)
48.Who led the first Roman invasion of Britain?
- ABoudicca
- BJulius Caesar
- CThe Emperor Claudius
- DThe Emperor Hadrian
Julius Caesar led a Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC, which was unsuccessful. (The Romans)
49.In which year did Julius Caesar invade Britain?
- AAD 43
- B55 BC
- CAD 410
- DAD 122
Julius Caesar led a Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC, which was unsuccessful. (The Romans)
50.Which emperor led the successful invasion of Britain?
- AClaudius
- BJulius Caesar
- CHadrian
- DAugustus
The Emperor Claudius led a new Roman invasion in AD 43. (The Romans)
Common questions
- How many questions are in the Life in the UK Test?
- The real test is 24 multiple-choice questions with 45 minutes to answer them, and you need 18 correct to pass. This page lists 811 practice questions drawn from the same official material, which is far more than any single sitting will ask you.
- Are these the real Life in the UK Test questions?
- No, and nobody has them. No government publishes its live exam questions. These are written from Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the official study guide the real questions are drawn from, so the facts being tested are the same even though the wording is ours.
- Do I need an account to read the questions and answers?
- No. Every question, its correct answer and its explanation is on this page with no signup and no payment. An account only matters if you want your progress saved across devices.
- How should I use the question bank?
- Reading answers is the weakest form of revision. Sit a timed test first to find out which chapters you are losing marks on, then come back here and read only those. Recognition feels like knowledge and is not the same thing.