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Life in the UK Test

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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. 51.About how many senior MPs does the Prime Minister appoint as ministers in charge of departments?

    • AAbout 10
    • BAbout 20
    • CAbout 100
    • DAbout 50

    Around 20 senior MPs are made departmental ministers by the Prime Minister. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  2. 52.Who is responsible for the economy?

    • AThe Foreign Secretary
    • BThe Home Secretary
    • CThe Prime Minister
    • DThe Chancellor of the Exchequer

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  3. 53.Who is responsible for crime, policing and immigration?

    • AThe Chancellor of the Exchequer
    • BThe Home Secretary
    • CThe Foreign Secretary
    • DThe Lord Chancellor

    The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  4. 54.Who is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries?

    • AThe Chancellor of the Exchequer
    • BThe Home Secretary
    • CThe Prime Minister
    • DThe Foreign Secretary

    The Foreign Secretary is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  5. 55.What are other ministers in charge of departments called?

    • AParliamentary Under-Secretaries
    • BShadow ministers
    • CMinisters of State
    • DSecretaries of State

    Other ministers are called Secretaries of State and are responsible for subjects such as education, health and defence. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  6. 56.How often does the cabinet usually meet?

    • AWeekly
    • BMonthly
    • CDaily
    • DOnce a session

    Meeting weekly as a committee, the cabinet takes the important decisions on government policy. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  7. 57.Which party is called the opposition?

    • AThe second-largest party in the House of Commons
    • BThe party with the fewest MPs
    • CThe largest party in the House of Lords
    • DAny party not in government

    The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party in power. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  8. 58.What takes place every week while Parliament is sitting?

    • AThe State Opening of Parliament
    • BA cabinet meeting in public
    • CPrime Minister’s Questions
    • DA vote of confidence

    Prime Minister's Questions takes place every week while Parliament is sitting. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  9. 59.What is the shadow cabinet?

    • AA select committee of the House of Lords
    • BSenior opposition MPs appointed to challenge the government
    • CThe junior ministers serving in each department
    • DThe group of independent MPs in the Commons

    The leader of the opposition appoints senior opposition MPs to be shadow ministers, who form the shadow cabinet. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)

  10. 60.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)

  11. 61.From what age can a person stand for election as an MP?

    • A16
    • B25
    • C21
    • D18

    Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  12. 62.Which of these is a major political party in the UK?

    • AThe CBI
    • BGreenpeace
    • CThe Liberal Democrats
    • DLiberty

    The major political parties are the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  13. 63.What are MPs who represent none of the main parties called?

    • ACrossbenchers
    • BIndependents
    • CBackbenchers
    • DShadow ministers

    MPs who do not represent any of the main political parties are called independents. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  14. 64.What do pressure and lobby groups do?

    • AStand candidates at General Elections
    • BAppoint life peers
    • CDeliver public services
    • DTry to influence government policy

    Pressure and lobby groups are organisations which try to influence government policy. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  15. 65.What does the CBI represent?

    • AEnvironmental campaigners
    • BTrade union members
    • CHuman rights campaigners
    • DThe views of British business

    The CBI, the Confederation of British Industry, represents the views of British business. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  16. 66.Which organisation campaigns on human rights?

    • ALiberty
    • BGreenpeace
    • CThe National Trust
    • DThe CBI

    Greenpeace campaigns on the environment and Liberty campaigns on human rights. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  17. 67.Which organisation campaigns on the environment?

    • AThe CBI
    • BThe Appointments Commission
    • CGreenpeace
    • DLiberty

    Greenpeace campaigns on the environment and Liberty campaigns on human rights. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  18. 68.How are civil servants chosen?

    • ABy the monarch
    • BOn merit
    • CBy political appointment
    • DBy election

    Civil servants are accountable to ministers, are chosen on merit and are politically neutral. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  19. 69.Which TWO are core values of the civil service?

    Choose two

    • ALoyalty to the governing party
    • BImpartiality
    • CIntegrity
    • DSeniority

    The core values of the civil service are integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  20. 70.How are local authority services funded?

    • AEntirely by council tax raised locally
    • BBy the devolved administrations of the UK
    • CBy charitable donations and local fundraising
    • DBy funding from central government and by local taxes

    Local authorities are funded by money from central government and by local taxes. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  21. 71.What is the usual role of a mayor appointed by a local authority?

    • ALeader of the largest party
    • BChair of the county council
    • CCeremonial leader of the council
    • DChief executive of the council

    The CBI, the Confederation of British Industry, represents the views of British business. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  22. 72.How many local authorities does London have?

    • A43
    • B23
    • C33
    • D13

    Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  23. 73.When are local elections for councillors usually held?

    • AEvery four years in June
    • BIn October every year
    • CEvery five years
    • DIn May every year

    The main political parties hold policy-making conferences every year. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)

  24. 74.Since which year has there been a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament?

    • A1997
    • B2011
    • C1999
    • D1998

    There has been a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament since 1999. (Devolved administrations)

  25. 75.In the official handbook, what is the Welsh devolved body called?

    • AThe Welsh Grand Committee
    • BThe National Assembly for Wales
    • CThe Welsh Executive
    • DThe Council of Wales

    In the handbook the Welsh body is the National Assembly for Wales, meeting in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. (Devolved administrations)

  26. 76.How many members does the National Assembly for Wales have?

    • A60
    • B129
    • C108
    • D33

    The National Assembly for Wales has 60 Assembly members, known as AMs. (Devolved administrations)

  27. 77.What are members of the National Assembly for Wales known as?

    • AMLAs
    • BMPs
    • CMSPs
    • DAMs

    The National Assembly for Wales has 60 Assembly members, known as AMs. (Devolved administrations)

  28. 78.How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?

    • A60
    • B108
    • C129
    • D650

    There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs, elected by a form of proportional representation. (Devolved administrations)

  29. 79.What are members of the Scottish Parliament known as?

    • AMPs
    • BMSPs
    • CAMs
    • DMLAs

    There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs, elected by a form of proportional representation. (Devolved administrations)

  30. 80.Where does the Scottish Parliament sit?

    • ACardiff
    • BGlasgow
    • CBelfast
    • DEdinburgh

    The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999 and sits in Edinburgh. (Devolved administrations)

  31. 81.How many members does the Northern Ireland Assembly have?

    • A60
    • B129
    • C650
    • D108

    The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs, members of the Legislative Assembly. (Devolved administrations)

  32. 82.What are members of the Northern Ireland Assembly known as?

    • AAMs
    • BMPs
    • CMLAs
    • DMSPs

    The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs, members of the Legislative Assembly. (Devolved administrations)

  33. 83.Which TWO areas remain under central UK government control?

    Choose two

    • ADefence
    • BForeign affairs
    • CEducation
    • DHealth

    Policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security remain under central UK government control. (Devolved administrations)

  34. 84.Which of these is controlled by the devolved administrations?

    • ASocial security
    • BEducation
    • CImmigration
    • DDefence

    The Scottish Parliament can legislate on civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and additional tax-raising powers. (Devolved administrations)

  35. 85.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)

  36. 86.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)

  37. 87.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)

  38. 88.In which year did the Troubles break out?

    • A1922
    • B1998
    • C1972
    • D1969

    The Troubles broke out in 1969. (Devolved administrations)

  39. 89.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)

  40. 90.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)

  41. 91.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)

  42. 92.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)

  43. 93.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)

  44. 94.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)

  45. 95.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)

  46. 96.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)

  47. 97.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)

  48. 98.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)

  49. 99.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)

  50. 100.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)

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