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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. 751.Who heads each separate police force?

   • AA Police and Crime Commissioner
   • BA Chief Constable
   • CThe Home Secretary
   • DA magistrate

   A complaint about the police may be made at any station, or in writing to the force's Chief Constable. (The police and their duties)

2. 752.How independent are the police from government?

   • AThey are run by local councils
   • BThey report to the Home Secretary
   • CThey are directed by the courts
   • DThey are independent of the government

   The police are independent of the government. (The police and their duties)

3. 753.When were Police and Crime Commissioners first elected?

   • ANovember 2010
   • BNovember 2012
   • CMay 2015
   • DMay 2012

   In November 2012 the public first elected Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales. (The police and their duties)

4. 754.Which TWO do Police and Crime Commissioners do?

   Choose two

   • ADecide criminal verdicts
   • BAppoint the local Chief Constable
   • CSet local police priorities
   • DInvestigate serious crimes

   Police and Crime Commissioners set local police priorities and the local policing budget. (The police and their duties)

5. 755.Which of these must a police officer not do?

   • AQuestion a witness
   • BArrest a suspect
   • CMake a false statement
   • DGive evidence in court

   Officers are bound by the law too — no misuse of authority, no false statement, no rudeness or abuse, no racial discrimination. (The police and their duties)

6. 756.What happens to police officers who are corrupt or misuse their authority?

   • AThey are suspended without pay
   • BThey are transferred to another force
   • CThey are severely punished
   • DThey are given further training

   Separate forces, each under its own Chief Constable, are how the police are organised. (The police and their duties)

7. 757.What do police community support officers usually do?

   • ASet the local policing budget and the local priorities
   • BPatrol the streets, work with the public and support officers at crime scenes
   • CHead a police force in the role of Chief Constable
   • DDecide whether a suspect should be charged with an offence

   Street patrol, work with the public, and support at crime scenes and major events are the usual duties of police community support officers. (The police and their duties)

8. 758.What will happen if you are arrested and taken to a police station?

   • AYou will be told the reason for your arrest and be able to seek legal advice
   • BYou will be charged before you may speak to anyone
   • CYou will be held for 48 hours before any questioning
   • DYou must answer every question put to you at once

   On arrest at a station you must be told why, and may seek legal advice. (The police and their duties)

9. 759.How can anyone make a complaint about the police?

   • AOnly through a solicitor acting on your behalf
   • BBy going to a police station or writing to the Chief Constable
   • COnly through your own member of Parliament
   • DOnly by writing to the Home Secretary

   A complaint about the police may be made at any station, or in writing to the force's Chief Constable. (The police and their duties)

10. 760.What are judges together called?

    • AThe magistracy
    • BThe judiciary
    • CThe bar
    • DThe bench

    Interpreting law, and keeping trials fair, is the work of judges — the judiciary. (The courts)

11. 761.What are judges responsible for?

    • AMaking the new laws that Parliament approves
    • BInterpreting the law and ensuring trials are conducted fairly
    • CInvestigating crimes reported to the police
    • DProsecuting criminal cases in the Crown Court

    Interpreting law, and keeping trials fair, is the work of judges — the judiciary. (The courts)

12. 762.Where are most minor criminal cases dealt with in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

    • AA County Court
    • BA Justice of the Peace Court
    • CA Magistrates’ Court
    • DA Crown Court

    Scotland's serious cases go to a Sheriff Court, before a sheriff alone or a sheriff with a jury. (The courts)

13. 763.Where do minor criminal offences go in Scotland?

    • AA Sheriff Court
    • BA Justice of the Peace Court
    • CA Magistrates’ Court
    • DA High Court

    A Justice of the Peace Court takes minor criminal offences in Scotland. (The courts)

14. 764.Are magistrates in England, Wales and Scotland paid?

    • AYes, they are salaried
    • BOnly in Scotland
    • CNo, they usually work unpaid
    • DThey receive a daily fee

    Magistrates and Justices of the Peace are members of the local community and usually work unpaid without legal qualifications. (The courts)

15. 765.Where are serious offences tried in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

    • AThe High Court, before a judge and jury
    • BA County Court, before a judge sitting alone
    • CA Magistrates’ Court, before three magistrates
    • DA Crown Court, before a judge and jury

    Murder and the gravest Scottish cases go to a High Court, before a judge sitting with a jury. (The courts)

16. 766.Where are serious cases heard in Scotland?

    • AA County Court
    • BA Crown Court
    • CA Magistrates’ Court
    • DA Sheriff Court

    Scotland's serious cases go to a Sheriff Court, before a sheriff alone or a sheriff with a jury. (The courts)

17. 767.Where are the most serious cases in Scotland, such as murder, heard?

    • AA Sheriff Court
    • BA High Court, with a judge and jury
    • CA Justice of the Peace Court
    • DThe Court of Session

    Murder and the gravest Scottish cases go to a High Court, before a judge sitting with a jury. (The courts)

18. 768.How many members does a jury have in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

    • A8
    • B10
    • C12
    • D15

    Interpreting law, and keeping trials fair, is the work of judges — the judiciary. (The courts)

19. 769.How many members does a jury have in Scotland?

    • A10
    • B12
    • C15
    • D8

    Interpreting law, and keeping trials fair, is the work of judges — the judiciary. (The courts)

20. 770.Which TWO conditions can lead to being asked to do jury service?

    Choose two

    • ABeing randomly selected
    • BOwning property
    • CHolding a British passport
    • DBeing on the electoral register

    Members of the public drawn at random from the local electoral register make up a jury. (The courts)

21. 771.Which third verdict is possible in Scotland?

    • ANot proceeded
    • BNo case
    • CUndecided
    • DNot proven

    In Scotland a third verdict of not proven is also possible. (The courts)

22. 772.Who decides the penalty if a jury finds a defendant guilty?

    • AThe judge
    • BThe magistrates
    • CThe Crown Prosecution Service
    • DThe jury

    On a guilty verdict from the jury, the penalty is the judge's to set. (The courts)

23. 773.Where is an accused person aged 10 to 17 normally heard in England and Wales?

    • AA Youth Court
    • BA Crown Court
    • CA County Court
    • DA Magistrates’ Court

    In England, Wales and Northern Ireland an accused person aged 10 to 17 is normally heard in a Youth Court. (The courts)

24. 774.What cannot be published about a young person accused in a Youth Court?

    • AThe verdict
    • BTheir name or photographs
    • CThe name of the court
    • DThe charge against them

    Youth Courts exclude the public, and neither the accused young person's name nor their photograph may be published. (The courts)

25. 775.Which system does Scotland use for children who have committed an offence?

    • AYouth conferencing
    • BThe Youth Court
    • CThe Children’s Hearings System
    • DThe Justice of the Peace Court

    On a guilty verdict from the jury, the penalty is the judge's to set. (The courts)

26. 776.What do County Courts deal with?

    • AAppeals from the Crown Court
    • BA wide range of civil disputes
    • CSerious criminal offences
    • DYouth offending

    Scotland's serious cases go to a Sheriff Court, before a sheriff alone or a sheriff with a jury. (The courts)

27. 777.Where are more serious civil cases dealt with in Scotland?

    • AThe High Court, before a judge and jury
    • BThe Sheriff Court, before a sheriff
    • CThe Court of Session in Edinburgh
    • DA County Court, before a single judge

    Bigger civil claims reach the High Court in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, and Edinburgh's Court of Session in Scotland. (The courts)

28. 778.What is the small claims limit in England and Wales?

    • ALess than £3,000
    • BLess than £25,000
    • CLess than £5,000
    • DLess than £10,000

    Small claims cover under £10,000 in England and Wales, and under £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. (The courts)

29. 779.What is the small claims limit in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

    • ALess than £10,000
    • BLess than £1,000
    • CLess than £5,000
    • DLess than £3,000

    Small claims cover under £10,000 in England and Wales, and under £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. (The courts)

30. 780.What are solicitors?

    • AMembers of the local community who decide verdicts
    • BJudges in the County Court
    • COfficials who prosecute criminal cases
    • DTrained lawyers who advise on legal matters and represent clients in court

    Advising on legal matters, acting for clients and appearing for them in court is the work of solicitors, who are trained lawyers. (The courts)

31. 781.In which THREE documents do British rights have their roots?

    • AMagna Carta, the Act of Union and the Human Rights Act
    • BThe Quebec Act, Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights
    • CThe Bill of Rights, the Reform Act and the Human Rights Act
    • DMagna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act and the Bill of Rights

    Three roots for British rights: Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act, and 1689's Bill of Rights. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

32. 782.In which year did the UK sign the European Convention on Human Rights?

    • A1998
    • B1948
    • C1689
    • D1950

    The UK was one of the first countries to sign the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

33. 783.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)

34. 784.Which TWO are principles in the European Convention on Human Rights?

    Choose two

    • AThe right to a free education
    • BThe right to a fair trial
    • CFreedom of thought, conscience and religion
    • DThe right to vote at 18

    The European Convention on Human Rights includes the right to a fair trial and freedom of thought, conscience and religion. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

35. 785.Which Act incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law?

    • AThe Habeas Corpus Act 1679
    • BThe Equality Act 2010
    • CThe Bill of Rights 1689
    • DThe Human Rights Act 1998

    UK law absorbed the European Convention on Human Rights through the Human Rights Act 1998. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

36. 786.On which grounds do UK laws prevent unfair treatment?

    • ASex and race, but no other characteristic
    • BReligion and belief, but no other characteristic
    • CAge and disability, but no other characteristic
    • DAge, disability, sex, race, religion, sexuality and marital status

    Unfair treatment is barred on grounds of sex, age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexuality, marital status, and pregnancy and maternity. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

37. 787.Who can be prosecuted for domestic violence in the UK?

    • AOnly married partners, and not those who live together
    • BOnly where the violence causes serious physical injury
    • COnly men, and not women who are violent to a partner
    • DAnyone violent towards their partner, whether married or living together

    Anyone who is violent towards their partner, whether a man or a woman, married or living together, can be prosecuted. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

38. 788.What are safe places for people facing domestic violence called?

    • ASafe houses
    • BHavens
    • CSanctuaries
    • DRefuges or shelters

    Safe places for people facing domestic violence are called refuges or shelters. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

39. 789.Is female genital mutilation legal in the UK?

    • AOnly where it is carried out abroad rather than here
    • BOnly where it is carried out with the consent of both parents
    • CNo, and taking a girl or woman abroad for it is also a criminal offence
    • DYes, where it is performed with medical consent

    Practising female genital mutilation or taking a girl or woman abroad for it is a criminal offence. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

40. 790.What is the difference between an arranged and a forced marriage?

    • AThere is no legal difference
    • BA forced marriage is arranged by the families; an arranged marriage is not
    • CAn arranged marriage is illegal; a forced marriage is not
    • DIn an arranged marriage both parties agree; in a forced marriage they do not consent

    Where both parties agree to it, an arranged marriage is acceptable here. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

41. 791.When were Forced Marriage Protection Orders introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

    • A2007
    • B2008
    • C2011
    • D1998

    England, Wales and Northern Ireland gained Forced Marriage Protection Orders in 2008. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

42. 792.What can happen to someone who breaches a Forced Marriage Protection Order?

    • AThey can be jailed for up to two years for contempt of court
    • BThey receive a fine, but no other penalty
    • CThey can be jailed for up to five years
    • DThey are given a formal warning by the court

    Breaching such an order can mean up to two years in jail for contempt of court. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)

43. 793.Which government department collects taxes?

    • AHM Revenue & Customs
    • BThe Treasury
    • CThe Department for Work and Pensions
    • DThe Home Office

    HM Revenue & Customs is the government department that collects taxes. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)

44. 794.What is the system called where an employer deducts income tax from your pay?

    • APAYG
    • BSelf-assessment
    • CNational Insurance
    • DPay As You Earn

    The system by which employers take the right amount of income tax from employment income is called Pay As You Earn. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)

45. 795.How do self-employed people pay their income tax?

    • AThrough Pay As You Earn
    • BThrough the DVLA
    • CThrough National Insurance
    • DThrough self-assessment

    Income tax in the UK is paid on wages from paid employment, profits from self-employment, taxable benefits, pensions, and income from property, savings and dividends. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)

46. 796.What do National Insurance Contributions pay for?

    • AEducation, policing and the fire service
    • BLocal authority services such as refuse collection
    • CState benefits and services such as the state pension and the NHS
    • DRoads, the armed forces and foreign affairs

    State benefits and services — the NHS, the state retirement pension — are funded from National Insurance Contributions. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)

47. 797.When are young people in the UK sent a National Insurance number?

    • AJust before their 16th birthday
    • BJust before their 18th birthday
    • CWhen they register to vote
    • DWhen they start their first job

    Shortly before a young person's 16th birthday a National Insurance number arrives. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)

48. 798.What happens if you do not pay enough National Insurance Contributions?

    • AYour rate of income tax increases to make up the difference
    • BYou are fined by HM Revenue & Customs for the shortfall
    • CYou cannot receive certain contributory benefits or a full state pension
    • DYou lose your National Insurance number altogether

    Fall short on contributions and certain contributory benefits go: a full state retirement pension, or Jobseeker's Allowance. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)

49. 799.What is the minimum age to drive a car in the UK?

    • A17
    • B18
    • C16
    • D21

    Income tax in the UK is paid on wages from paid employment, profits from self-employment, taxable benefits, pensions, and income from property, savings and dividends. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)

50. 800.What is the minimum age to ride a moped in the UK?

    • A17
    • B18
    • C15
    • D16

    Shortly before a young person's 16th birthday a National Insurance number arrives. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)