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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.
701.In how many areas can the National Assembly for Wales make laws?
- A31
- B12
- C60
- D21
The National Assembly for Wales has the power to make laws for Wales in 21 areas. (Devolved administrations)
702.Since which year has the Welsh Assembly been able to pass laws without the agreement of the UK Parliament?
- A1997
- B2011
- C1998
- D1999
Westminster's agreement has not been needed for Welsh laws on those topics since 2011. (Devolved administrations)
703.When was the Northern Ireland Parliament established, and when abolished?
- AEstablished in 1922, abolished in 1972
- BEstablished in 1969, abolished in 1998
- CEstablished in 1998, abolished in 2002
- DEstablished in 1921, abolished in 1969
A Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922 but was abolished in 1972. (Devolved administrations)
704.In which year did the Troubles break out?
- A1922
- B1998
- C1972
- D1969
The Troubles broke out in 1969. (Devolved administrations)
705.By what other name is the Belfast Agreement known?
- AThe Downing Street Declaration
- BThe Anglo-Irish Agreement
- CThe Good Friday Agreement
- DThe Stormont Agreement
1998's Belfast Agreement — the Good Friday Agreement — was shortly followed by the Northern Ireland Assembly. (Devolved administrations)
706.Which system are members of the devolved bodies elected by?
- AFirst past the post
- BAppointment by the monarch
- CThe single-member plurality system
- DA form of proportional representation
Elections to the National Assembly for Wales are held every four years using a form of proportional representation. (Devolved administrations)
707.What power does the UK government have over the devolved assemblies?
- AIt can suspend them
- BIt can appoint their members
- CIt has no power over them
- DIt can dissolve them permanently
Members of the National Assembly for Wales can speak in either Welsh or English. (Devolved administrations)
708.Since which year has the UK had a fully democratic voting system?
- A1832
- B1918
- C1969
- D1928
The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
709.In which year was the present voting age of 18 set?
- A1969
- B1928
- C1918
- D1979
The present voting age of 18 was set in 1969. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
710.Who can vote in all UK public elections?
- AOnly citizens who were born in the United Kingdom
- BAny resident of the UK aged 18 or over, whatever their citizenship
- COnly citizens who own property in the United Kingdom
- DAdult citizens of the UK, and resident citizens of the Commonwealth and Ireland
All public elections are open to adult UK citizens, and to resident citizens of Ireland and the Commonwealth. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
711.What must you be on to vote in a parliamentary or local election?
- AThe census
- BThe National Register of Electors
- CThe council tax register
- DThe electoral register
Your name must appear on the electoral register before you can vote in a parliamentary or local election. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
712.When is the electoral register updated each year?
- AIn September or October
- BIn April or May
- CIn January
- DIn July
The electoral register is updated every year in September or October. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
713.Which system of registration operates in Northern Ireland?
- AIndividual registration
- BAutomatic registration
- CHousehold registration
- DPostal registration
In Northern Ireland a system called individual registration operates, and all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
714.What are polling stations called in Scotland?
- APolling places
- BVoting halls
- CElection centres
- DPolling booths
People vote at places called polling stations, or polling places in Scotland. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
715.What hours is the polling station open on election day?
- AFrom 7.00 am until 10.00 pm
- BFrom 7.00 am until 9.00 pm
- CFrom 8.00 am until 8.00 pm
- DFrom 9.00 am until 9.00 pm
On election day the polling station is open from 7.00 am until 10.00 pm. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
716.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)
717.What can you do if it is difficult to get to a polling station?
- AVote by telephone
- BAsk a family member to vote for you
- CVote online
- DRegister for a postal ballot
If it is difficult to get to a polling station you can register for a postal ballot. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
718.Which TWO groups cannot stand for public office?
Choose two
- AMembers of the armed forces
- BCommonwealth citizens resident in the UK
- CPeople aged over 70
- DCivil servants
Members of the armed forces, civil servants and people found guilty of certain criminal offences cannot stand for public office. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
719.What may members of the House of Lords not stand for election to?
- AThe Scottish Parliament
- BA local council
- CThe House of Commons
- DAny public office
Public office is open to most citizens of the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth from the age of 18. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
720.What are the official reports of proceedings in Parliament called?
- AThe Gazette
- BThe Journal
- CThe Record
- DHansard
Television carries proceedings in Parliament, and Hansard is the official printed report. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
721.What does it mean that the UK has a free press?
- ANewspapers may not be sued for libel
- BNewspapers receive no advertising revenue
- CWhat is written in newspapers is free from government control
- DNewspapers are distributed free of charge
The UK has a free press, which means that what is written in newspapers is free from government control. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
722.What does the law require of radio and television coverage of political parties?
- AIt must be balanced, giving equal time to rival viewpoints
- BIt must be approved by the Speaker
- CIt must favour the governing party
- DIt must exclude parties with fewer than ten MPs
Balance is required by law of radio and television coverage of the parties, rival viewpoints receiving equal time. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
723.How much does it cost to listen to debates from the public galleries at Westminster?
- AYou must buy a ticket in advance
- BNothing — entrance is free
- CIt is free only for UK citizens
- DA small charge per person
The UK has a free press, which means that what is written in newspapers is free from government control. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
724.What is the Commonwealth?
- AA trading bloc made of former British colonies
- BAn association of countries working together towards shared goals
- CA court that protects human rights in Europe
- DA military alliance of European countries
Countries supporting one another towards shared aims in development and democracy make up the Commonwealth. (The UK and international institutions)
725.How many member states does the Commonwealth currently have?
- A15
- B47
- C54
- D190
The Commonwealth currently has 54 member states. (The UK and international institutions)
726.Who is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth?
- AThe Prime Minister
- BThe monarch
- CA rotating head of state
- DThe Secretary-General
The monarch is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth. (The UK and international institutions)
727.What power does the Commonwealth have over its members?
- ANo power over its members, although it can suspend membership
- BIt can make laws that bind all of its members
- CIt can impose economic sanctions upon a member
- DIt can deploy peacekeeping forces to a member
Empire membership lies behind most Commonwealth states, though a few that were never part of it have joined. (The UK and international institutions)
728.Which THREE core values is the Commonwealth based on?
- ADemocracy, good government and the rule of law
- BDemocracy, free trade and defence
- CPeace, order and good government
- DLiberty, equality and fraternity
Democracy, the rule of law and good government are the Commonwealth's core values. (The UK and international institutions)
729.How many member countries does the Council of Europe have?
- A190
- B54
- C15
- D47
The Council of Europe has 47 member countries, including the UK. (The UK and international institutions)
730.What is the Council of Europe responsible for?
- AMaking laws for its member countries
- BThe protection and promotion of human rights
- CManaging the Euro currency
- DCoordinating European defence
The Council of Europe is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in its member countries. (The UK and international institutions)
731.Which is the best-known convention drawn up by the Council of Europe?
- AThe European Convention on Human Rights
- BThe Treaty of Rome
- CThe Geneva Convention
- DThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The best-known convention of the Council of Europe is the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. (The UK and international institutions)
732.How many countries are members of the United Nations?
- AMore than 190
- BMore than 90
- CExactly 47
- DExactly 54
The United Nations has more than 190 countries as members. (The UK and international institutions)
733.Why was the United Nations set up?
- ATo coordinate the defence of its members
- BTo protect human rights in Europe
- CTo prevent war and promote international peace and security
- DTo promote free trade between nations
Preventing war and promoting international peace and security were the aims behind founding the United Nations after the Second World War. (The UK and international institutions)
734.How many members are there on the UN Security Council?
- A5
- B47
- C190
- D15
There are 15 members on the UN Security Council. (The UK and international institutions)
735.How many permanent members does the UN Security Council have, including the UK?
- AFive
- BTen
- CThree
- DFifteen
The UK is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council. (The UK and international institutions)
736.What is NATO?
- AThe body responsible for protecting human rights in Europe
- BAn association made up of former British colonies
- CThe peacekeeping arm of the United Nations Security Council
- DA group of European and North American countries that help each other if attacked
European and North American countries pledged to come to one another's aid if attacked make up NATO. (The UK and international institutions)
737.What is civil law used for?
- ATo appoint judges to the courts of the UK
- BTo prosecute the most serious criminal offences
- CTo make changes to the British constitution
- DTo settle disputes between individuals or groups
Civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups. (Criminal and civil law)
738.Who usually investigates crimes?
- AThe police or another authority such as a council
- BThe Crown Prosecution Service alone
- CThe courts
- DLocal councillors
Crimes fall under criminal law and are normally investigated by police, or by another authority such as a council. (Criminal and civil law)
739.Is it legal to carry a knife for self-defence in the UK?
- AOnly in Northern Ireland, not elsewhere
- BYes, with a permit issued by the police
- CNo, carrying a weapon of any kind is a criminal offence
- DYes, provided the blade is short enough
Carrying any weapon at all is a criminal offence, self-defence being no excuse. (Criminal and civil law)
740.Which of these is an example of criminal law?
- AA dispute between a landlord and tenant
- BCarrying a weapon
- CA dispute over faulty goods
- DA dispute over unpaid wages
Carrying any weapon at all is a criminal offence, self-defence being no excuse. (Criminal and civil law)
741.Which of these is an example of civil law?
- AHousing law
- BCarrying a weapon
- CRacial crime
- DSelling drugs
Repairs, eviction and similar landlord and tenant disputes fall under housing law. (Criminal and civil law)
742.Which TWO are examples of civil law?
Choose two
- ASmoking in enclosed public places
- BConsumer rights
- CRacial crime
- DEmployment law
Consumer rights cases include disputes about faulty goods or services. (Criminal and civil law)
743.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)
744.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)
745.At what age can a person be sold alcohol?
- A16
- B17
- C21
- D18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. (Criminal and civil law)
746.What is the one exception for people aged 16 or over and alcohol?
- AThey can drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant
- BThey can buy beer in a supermarket
- CThey can drink at home unsupervised
- DThey can buy alcohol on licensed premises
With a meal in a hotel or restaurant, alcohol may be drunk from the age of 16. (Criminal and civil law)
747.What can the police do in an alcohol-free zone?
- AClose nearby licensed premises
- BConfiscate alcohol or move young people on
- CArrest anyone carrying alcohol
- DIssue a criminal record
Selling alcohol to an under-18, or buying it on their behalf, is a criminal offence. (Criminal and civil law)
748.What kind of law covers unfair dismissal?
- AConsumer rights
- BCriminal law
- CHousing law
- DEmployment law
Wages, unfair dismissal and workplace discrimination are the stuff of employment law cases. (Criminal and civil law)
749.Which THREE things is the job of the police in the UK?
- AKeep the peace, make laws, and enforce them
- BProtect life and property, prosecute offenders, and pass sentence
- CProtect life and property, prevent disturbances, and prevent and detect crime
- DPrevent crime, decide verdicts, and run the prisons
Three police duties: protecting life and property; preventing disturbances; preventing and detecting crime. (The police and their duties)
750.What is preventing disturbances also known as?
- APublic order duty
- BCommunity policing
- CKeeping the peace
- DDetecting crime
Preventing disturbances is also known as keeping the peace. (The police and their duties)