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Life in the UK Test questions and answers

Every question in the bank, with the answer and an explanation. Written from Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). Browsing is free and needs no account. But you will learn far more by taking a timed test than by reading answers.

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)

2. 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. 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. 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. 5.What do new citizens do about these values 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. 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. 7.Which of these does the UK offer in return for those responsibilities?

   • 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Crown dependencies have their own governments. (The countries of the UK)

26. 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. 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. 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. 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. 30.What is the capital city of Scotland?

    • AGlasgow
    • BEdinburgh
    • CDundee
    • DAberdeen

    Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. (Capital cities and geography)

31. 31.What is the capital city of Wales?

    • ANewport
    • BBangor
    • CSwansea
    • DCardiff

    Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. (Capital cities and geography)

32. 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. 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. 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. 35.Approximately how long is that distance?

    • 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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)