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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. 101.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)

  2. 102.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)

  3. 103.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)

  4. 104.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)

  5. 105.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)

  6. 106.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)

  7. 107.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)

  8. 108.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)

  9. 109.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)

  10. 110.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)

  11. 111.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)

  12. 112.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)

  13. 113.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)

  14. 114.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)

  15. 115.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)

  16. 116.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)

  17. 117.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)

  18. 118.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)

  19. 119.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)

  20. 120.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)

  21. 121.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)

  22. 122.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)

  23. 123.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)

  24. 124.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)

  25. 125.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)

  26. 126.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)

  27. 127.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)

  28. 128.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)

  29. 129.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)

  30. 130.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)

  31. 131.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)

  32. 132.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)

  33. 133.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)

  34. 134.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)

  35. 135.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)

  36. 136.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)

  37. 137.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)

  38. 138.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)

  39. 139.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)

  40. 140.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)

  41. 141.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)

  42. 142.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)

  43. 143.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)

  44. 144.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)

  45. 145.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)

  46. 146.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)

  47. 147.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)

  48. 148.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)

  49. 149.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)

  50. 150.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)

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