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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 is Henry VIII most famous for?

   • AUniting England and Scotland into one kingdom
   • BBreaking away from the Church of Rome and marrying six times
   • CDefeating the Spanish Armada sent against England
   • DBeing forced by his noblemen to sign Magna Carta

   Two things made Henry VIII famous: six marriages, and the break with the Church of Rome. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

2. 102.Why did Henry VIII establish the Church of England?

   • ABecause the Pope refused to approve his divorce
   • BTo end the Wars of the Roses
   • CBecause Parliament demanded it
   • DTo raise money for a war with France

   Henry VIII established the Church of England when the Pope refused to approve his divorce. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

3. 103.In the Church of England, who had the power to appoint bishops?

   • AThe king
   • BThe Archbishop of Canterbury alone
   • CThe Pope
   • DParliament

   In the Church of England the king, not the Pope, had the power to appoint bishops and order how people should worship. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

4. 104.What was the Reformation?

   • AThe reform of Parliament and the franchise during the 19th century
   • BA movement against the authority of the Pope and the practices of the Roman Catholic Church
   • CThe union of the English and Scottish parliaments under one crown
   • DThe rebuilding of London after the Great Fire destroyed the city

   In the Church of England the king, not the Pope, had the power to appoint bishops and order how people should worship. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

5. 105.In which language did Protestants read the Bible?

   • ALatin
   • BGreek
   • CTheir own languages
   • DHebrew

   Protestants read the Bible in their own languages instead of in Latin. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

6. 106.Which TWO were Protestant beliefs?

   Choose two

   • AAccepting the authority of the Pope
   • BThat a person’s own relationship with God mattered most
   • CReading the Bible in their own language
   • DPraying to saints at shrines

   Protestants read the Bible in their own languages instead of in Latin. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

7. 107.How was Wales formally united with England?

   • ABy the Act of Settlement
   • BBy the Treaty of Union
   • CBy the Act for the Government of Wales
   • DBy the Statute of Rhuddlan

   Wales became formally united with England during the reign of Henry VIII by the Act for the Government of Wales. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

8. 108.During whose reign was Wales formally united with England?

   • AEdward I
   • BElizabeth I
   • CHenry VIII
   • DHenry VII

   Two things made Henry VIII famous: six marriages, and the break with the Church of Rome. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)

9. 109.How many times did Henry VIII marry?

   • AThree
   • BFive
   • CSix
   • DFour

   The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

10. 110.Who was Henry VIII’s first wife?

    • AJane Seymour
    • BCatherine of Aragon
    • CAnne Boleyn
    • DCatherine Parr

    The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

11. 111.Which of Henry VIII’s wives was the mother of Elizabeth I?

    • AAnne Boleyn
    • BCatherine Howard
    • CCatherine of Aragon
    • DJane Seymour

    The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

12. 112.Which of Henry VIII’s wives was the mother of Edward VI?

    • AAnne of Cleves
    • BAnne Boleyn
    • CJane Seymour
    • DCatherine of Aragon

    The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

13. 113.Which of Henry VIII’s wives was a Spanish princess?

    • AAnne Boleyn
    • BCatherine of Aragon
    • CAnne of Cleves
    • DCatherine Parr

    The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

14. 114.Which of Henry VIII’s wives was a German princess?

    • ACatherine Howard
    • BCatherine of Aragon
    • CAnne of Cleves
    • DJane Seymour

    The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

15. 115.Which of Henry VIII’s wives survived him?

    • AAnne Boleyn
    • BCatherine Howard
    • CJane Seymour
    • DCatherine Parr

    The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

16. 116.Which TWO of Henry VIII’s wives were executed?

    Choose two

    • ACatherine Howard
    • BCatherine Parr
    • CJane Seymour
    • DAnne Boleyn

    The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

17. 117.Where was Anne Boleyn executed?

    • AAt Windsor Castle
    • BAt Westminster Abbey
    • CAt the Tower of London
    • DAt Hampton Court

    Anne Boleyn was English and the mother of Elizabeth, and was executed at the Tower of London. (The six wives of Henry VIII)

18. 118.Which book was written for use in the Church of England during Edward VI’s reign?

    • AThe Bill of Rights
    • BThe Book of Homilies
    • CThe Book of Common Prayer
    • DThe King James Bible

    Edward VI was strongly Protestant and during his reign the Book of Common Prayer was written for use in the Church of England. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

19. 119.At what age did Edward VI die?

    • A25
    • B35
    • C15
    • D45

    Just over six years of rule ended with Edward VI's death at 15. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

20. 120.Which queen became known as ‘Bloody Mary’?

    • AMary II
    • BMary I
    • CMary, Queen of Scots
    • DElizabeth I

    Mary was a devout Catholic who persecuted Protestants and became known as Bloody Mary. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

21. 121.Why was Mary I called ‘Bloody Mary’?

    • AShe dissolved the monasteries
    • BShe persecuted Protestants
    • CShe led England into war with Spain
    • DShe executed her own husband

    Mary was a devout Catholic who persecuted Protestants and became known as Bloody Mary. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

22. 122.Who were Elizabeth I’s parents?

    • AHenry VII and Elizabeth of York
    • BHenry VIII and Catherine of Aragon
    • CHenry VIII and Jane Seymour
    • DHenry VIII and Anne Boleyn

    Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

23. 123.What did Elizabeth I re-establish?

    • AThe Church of England as the official Church
    • BThe monasteries dissolved during her father’s reign
    • CThe authority of the Pope over the English Church
    • DThe Book of Common Prayer written under Edward VI

    Elizabeth I was a Protestant who re-established the Church of England as the official Church in England. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

24. 124.In which year did the English defeat the Spanish Armada?

    • A1588
    • B1666
    • C1485
    • D1605

    In 1588 the English defeated the Spanish Armada, a large fleet of ships sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

25. 125.What was the Spanish Armada?

    • AA treaty of peace agreed between England and Spain
    • BThe Spanish army that invaded Ireland in rebellion
    • CA large fleet sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism
    • DA Spanish trading fleet working the Americas

    In 1588 the English defeated the Spanish Armada, a large fleet of ships sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism. (Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I)

26. 126.In which year did the Scottish Parliament abolish the authority of the Pope?

    • A1707
    • B1588
    • C1560
    • D1603

    Papal authority in Scotland was abolished in 1560 by a mainly Protestant Scottish Parliament. (The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots)

27. 127.How did the Church of Scotland differ from the Church of England?

    • AIt was led by the monarch
    • BIt had no elected leadership
    • CIt kept the authority of the Pope
    • DIt was not a state Church

    Scotland's new Protestant Church had elected leadership and, unlike England's, no status as a state Church. (The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots)

28. 128.How old was Mary, Queen of Scots when she became queen?

    • AOnly a week old
    • BSixteen years old
    • CSix years old
    • DOnly a year old

    A week old at her father's death, Mary, Queen of Scots became queen as an infant. (The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots)

29. 129.Where was much of Mary, Queen of Scots’ childhood spent?

    • AThe Netherlands
    • BFrance
    • CSpain
    • DEngland

    Much of Mary, Queen of Scots' childhood was spent in France. (The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots)

30. 130.To whom did Mary, Queen of Scots give her throne?

    • AHer cousin Elizabeth I
    • BHer son, James VI of Scotland
    • CThe Scottish Parliament
    • DHer husband

    Mary, Queen of Scots gave her throne to her Protestant son, James VI of Scotland. (The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots)

31. 131.How long was Mary, Queen of Scots kept a prisoner in England?

    • A20 years
    • B30 years
    • C5 years
    • D10 years

    Mary, Queen of Scots was Elizabeth I's cousin and was kept a prisoner for 20 years. (The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots)

32. 132.What was Mary, Queen of Scots accused of before her execution?

    • ASelling Scotland to Spain
    • BPlotting against Elizabeth I
    • CMurdering her own son
    • DPractising Catholicism in public

    Mary, Queen of Scots was eventually executed, accused of plotting against Elizabeth I. (The Reformation in Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots)

33. 133.Whose ship, the Golden Hind, was one of the first to sail around the world?

    • ASir Walter Raleigh
    • BSir Robin Knox-Johnston
    • CCaptain James Cook
    • DSir Francis Drake

    Sir Francis Drake was one of the commanders in the defeat of the Spanish Armada and one of the founders of England's naval tradition. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

34. 134.Where was William Shakespeare born?

    • ALondon
    • BCanterbury
    • CStratford-upon-Avon
    • DWorcester

    William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and was a playwright and actor. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

35. 135.Which of these is a play by Shakespeare?

    • AThe Canterbury Tales
    • BThe Mousetrap
    • CParadise Lost
    • DMacbeth

    Among Shakespeare's most famous plays: Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

36. 136.Which TWO of these are plays by Shakespeare?

    Choose two

    • AHamlet
    • BRomeo and Juliet
    • CPeter Grimes
    • DThe Pirates of Penzance

    Among Shakespeare's most famous plays: Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

37. 137.What is the Globe Theatre in London?

    • AThe London home of the Royal Shakespeare Company
    • BThe oldest surviving theatre building anywhere in Britain
    • CA modern copy of the theatres where Shakespeare’s plays were first performed
    • DThe West End theatre where The Mousetrap has run since 1952

    Sir Francis Drake was one of the commanders in the defeat of the Spanish Armada and one of the founders of England's naval tradition. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

38. 138.Who succeeded Elizabeth I?

    • ACharles I
    • BJames VI of Scotland
    • CMary, Queen of Scots
    • DHenry VIII

    When Elizabeth I died in 1603 her heir was James VI of Scotland, who became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

39. 139.In which year did Elizabeth I die?

    • A1603
    • B1625
    • C1588
    • D1649

    When Elizabeth I died in 1603 her heir was James VI of Scotland, who became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

40. 140.What happened to Scotland when James VI became King James I of England?

    • AIt remained a separate country
    • BIt became a republic
    • CIt was united with England
    • DIt was ruled by a governor

    Scotland remained a separate country when James VI became King James I of England. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

41. 141.What is the King James Version?

    • AA collection of Shakespeare’s plays
    • BA translation of the Bible into English
    • CThe Book of Common Prayer
    • DThe Bill of Rights

    A new translation of the Bible into English during James I's reign is known as the King James Version or the Authorised Version. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

42. 142.By what other name is the King James Version known?

    • AThe Authorised Version
    • BThe Great Bible
    • CThe Protestant Bible
    • DThe Common Version

    A new translation of the Bible into English during James I's reign is known as the King James Version or the Authorised Version. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)

43. 143.Which title did Henry VIII take in relation to Ireland?

    • ALord Lieutenant of Ireland
    • BProtector of Ireland
    • CKing of Ireland
    • DGovernor of the Pale

    Henry VIII took the title King of Ireland. (Ireland under Elizabeth I and James I)

44. 144.What were the Protestant settlements in Ulster known as?

    • APlantations
    • BThe Pale
    • CBoroughs
    • DEstates

    The settlements of Protestants in Ulster were known as plantations. (Ireland under Elizabeth I and James I)

45. 145.Which province of Ireland were Protestants encouraged to settle?

    • ALeinster
    • BUlster
    • CConnacht
    • DMunster

    Ulster, Ireland's northern province, was settled by Scottish and English Protestants at the English government's urging. (Ireland under Elizabeth I and James I)

46. 146.Where did many of the new settlers in Ulster come from?

    • AThe Netherlands
    • BWales
    • CNorthern England
    • DSouth-west Scotland

    Many of the new settlers in Ulster came from south-west Scotland. (Ireland under Elizabeth I and James I)

47. 147.Who gave instructions to local leaders in Ireland?

    • AThe Lord Lieutenants in Dublin
    • BThe Archbishop of Canterbury
    • CThe Pope
    • DThe English Parliament directly

    Local leaders in Ireland were expected to follow the instructions of the Lord Lieutenants in Dublin. (Ireland under Elizabeth I and James I)

48. 148.What was the Divine Right of Kings?

    • AThe right of the king to choose his own heir
    • BThe right of the king to appoint bishops himself
    • CThe idea that the king was directly appointed by God to rule
    • DThe right of the king to levy taxes without consent

    Divine Right of Kings — appointment to rule directly by God — was the belief of James I and Charles I. (The English Civil War)

49. 149.For how long did Charles I rule without Parliament?

    • A5 years
    • B20 years
    • C11 years
    • D2 years

    Charles I ruled without Parliament at all for 11 years. (The English Civil War)

50. 150.Which Church did Charles I try to impose a revised Prayer Book on?

    • AThe Roman Catholic Church in Ireland
    • BThe Presbyterian Church in Scotland
    • CThe Church in Wales
    • DThe Church of England

    Charles I tried to impose a revised Prayer Book on the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, which led to serious unrest. (The English Civil War)