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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. 301.Who were the Chartists?

   • AMembers of the women’s suffrage movement
   • BSupporters of Irish Home Rule
   • CCampaigners who demanded the vote for the working classes
   • DAnti-slavery campaigners

   The Chartists were campaigners who presented petitions to Parliament demanding the vote for the working classes. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

2. 302.What did the Reform Act of 1867 do?

   • AGave the vote to every man over the age of 21
   • BGave the vote and the right to stand to women over 30
   • CAbolished the pocket boroughs and the rotten boroughs
   • DCreated more urban seats and reduced the property requirement for voting

   Urban seats multiplied and the property bar for voting came down under the Reform Act of 1867. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

3. 303.Before 1870, what happened to a woman’s property when she married?

   • AIt was held in trust for her children
   • BIt automatically belonged to her husband
   • CIt was taxed at a higher rate
   • DIt remained entirely her own

   Until 1870 a woman's earnings, property and money automatically belonged to her husband when she married. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

4. 304.In which years did Acts of Parliament give wives the right to keep their own earnings?

   • A1846 and 1847
   • B1918 and 1928
   • C1832 and 1867
   • D1870 and 1882

   Wives won the right to keep their earnings and property through Acts of 1870 and 1882. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

5. 305.What were women who campaigned for the vote known as?

   • AAbolitionists
   • BChartists
   • CSuffragettes
   • DFenians

   Women who campaigned for the right to vote formed the women's suffrage movement and became known as suffragettes. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

6. 306.Who founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903?

   • AMargaret Thatcher
   • BEmmeline Pankhurst
   • CMary Peters
   • DFlorence Nightingale

   Emmeline Pankhurst was born in Manchester in 1858 and set up the Women's Franchise League in 1889. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

7. 307.Which TWO methods did the suffragettes use?

   Choose two

   • APetitioning the monarch
   • BStanding for Parliament
   • CChaining themselves to railings
   • DGoing on hunger strike

   The suffragettes used civil disobedience, chained themselves to railings, smashed windows and committed arson, and many went on hunger strike. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

8. 308.What happened in 1918 for women?

   • AWomen were given the right to equal pay in the workplace
   • BWomen were given the vote at 21, the same age as men
   • CWomen were allowed to keep their own earnings and property
   • DWomen over 30 were given voting rights and the right to stand for Parliament

   Voting rights and the right to stand for Parliament came to women over 30 in 1918. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

9. 309.In which year did women get the right to vote at 21, the same as men?

   • A1918
   • B1882
   • C1969
   • D1928

   The voting age for women fell to 21 in 1928, matching men. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

10. 310.Whose assassination set off the chain of events leading to the First World War?

    • AThe Kaiser of Germany, Wilhelm II
    • BThe Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II
    • CArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
    • DThe King of Serbia, Peter I

    On 28 June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated. (The First World War)

11. 311.On what date was Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated?

    • A11 November 1918
    • B28 June 1914
    • C1 July 1916
    • D4 August 1914

    On 28 June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated. (The First World War)

12. 312.When did the First World War take place?

    • A1939 to 1945
    • B1914 to 1918
    • C1899 to 1902
    • D1853 to 1856

    The First World War lasted from 1914 to 1918. (The First World War)

13. 313.Which alliance was Britain part of in the First World War?

    • AThe Triple Alliance
    • BThe Central Powers
    • CThe Axis powers
    • DThe Allied Powers

    Britain was part of the Allied Powers, which included France, Russia, Japan, Belgium and Serbia. (The First World War)

14. 314.Which of these was one of the Central Powers?

    • ABelgium
    • BRussia
    • CThe Austro-Hungarian Empire
    • DFrance

    The Central Powers were mainly Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire and later Bulgaria. (The First World War)

15. 315.How many Indians fought on behalf of Britain in the First World War?

    • AMore than a million
    • BMore than 2 million
    • CAbout 40,000
    • DAbout 100,000

    More than a million Indians fought on behalf of Britain and around 40,000 were killed. (The First World War)

16. 316.How many British casualties were there in the First World War?

    • AAbout 40,000
    • BAbout 60,000
    • CMore than 10 million
    • DMore than 2 million

    There were more than 2 million British casualties in the First World War. (The First World War)

17. 317.How many British casualties were there on the first day of the Somme?

    • AAbout 60,000
    • BAbout 600,000
    • CAbout 40,000
    • DAbout 6,000

    About 60,000 British casualties fell on the first day alone of the Somme attack in July 1916. (The First World War)

18. 318.In which month and year did the British attack on the Somme begin?

    • AAugust 1914
    • BJuly 1916
    • CNovember 1918
    • DJune 1914

    About 60,000 British casualties fell on the first day alone of the Somme attack in July 1916. (The First World War)

19. 319.At what time and on what date did the First World War end?

    • AMidnight on 31 December 1918
    • BNoon on 28 June 1919
    • C11.00 am on 11 November 1918
    • D11.00 am on 11 November 1919

    The First World War ended at 11.00 am on 11 November 1918 with victory for Britain and its allies. (The First World War)

20. 320.Which TWO were introduced in Britain in the early 20th century?

    Choose two

    • AFree school meals
    • BThe National Health Service
    • CThe welfare state
    • DOld-age pensions

    The early 20th century saw financial help for the unemployed, old-age pensions and free school meals introduced. (The First World War)

21. 321.What was the 1916 uprising against the British in Dublin called?

    • AThe Fenian Rising
    • BThe Home Rule Rebellion
    • CThe Easter Rising
    • DThe Troubles

    In 1916 there was an uprising against the British in Dublin known as the Easter Rising. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

22. 322.In which year was the Easter Rising?

    • A1916
    • B1921
    • C1913
    • D1922

    In 1916 there was an uprising against the British in Dublin known as the Easter Rising. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

23. 323.In which year did Ireland become two countries?

    • A1921
    • B1922
    • C1949
    • D1916

    A peace treaty in 1921 was followed by Ireland's division into two countries in 1922. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

24. 324.How many counties in the north remained part of the UK?

    • ANine
    • BSix
    • CFour
    • DTwelve

    Northern Ireland was the name kept by the six mainly Protestant northern counties that stayed British. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

25. 325.What did the rest of Ireland become in 1922?

    • ANorthern Ireland
    • BA British dominion
    • CThe Republic of Ireland
    • DThe Irish Free State

    The rest of Ireland became the Irish Free State and became a republic in 1949. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

26. 326.In which year did the Irish Free State become a republic?

    • A1969
    • B1949
    • C1922
    • D1921

    The rest of Ireland became the Irish Free State and became a republic in 1949. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

27. 327.What is the conflict in Northern Ireland often referred to as?

    • AThe Partition
    • BThe Troubles
    • CThe Home Rule crisis
    • DThe Easter Rising

    The Troubles is the usual name for the conflict between full Irish independence and loyalty to the British government. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

28. 328.In which year did the world enter the Great Depression?

    • A1922
    • B1929
    • C1936
    • D1939

    Mass unemployment struck parts of the UK when the Great Depression began in 1929. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

29. 329.Which traditional industry was badly affected by the 1930s depression?

    • AAviation
    • BShipbuilding
    • CAutomobiles
    • DFinancial services

    Traditional heavy industries such as shipbuilding were badly affected by the depression of the 1930s. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

30. 330.What happened to car ownership between 1930 and 1939?

    • AIt rose from 2 million to 4 million
    • BIt stayed the same
    • CIt doubled from 1 million to 2 million
    • DIt fell by half

    Between 1930 and 1939 the number of cars owned doubled, from 1 million to 2 million. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

31. 331.In which year did the BBC start radio broadcasts?

    • A1922
    • B1936
    • C1945
    • D1929

    A peace treaty in 1921 was followed by Ireland's division into two countries in 1922. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

32. 332.In which year did the BBC begin the world’s first regular television service?

    • A1953
    • B1929
    • C1922
    • D1936

    The BBC began the world's first regular television service in 1936. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

33. 333.Which economist published influential new theories between the wars?

    • ADavid Hume
    • BAdam Smith
    • CJohn Maynard Keynes
    • DWilliam Beveridge

    The economist John Maynard Keynes published influential new theories of economics. (The partition of Ireland and the inter-war years)

34. 334.In which year did Adolf Hitler come to power in Germany?

    • A1939
    • B1933
    • C1940
    • D1929

    Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933. (The Second World War)

35. 335.What made Britain and France declare war in 1939?

    • AHitler’s invasion of Poland
    • BThe German invasion of the Soviet Union
    • CThe bombing of London
    • DHitler’s occupation of Austria

    Allied side, main countries: the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Poland and France. (The Second World War)

36. 336.Which countries were the Axis powers?

    • AGermany, Poland and Italy
    • BGermany, Austria and the Ottoman Empire
    • CGermany, Italy and the Empire of Japan
    • DGermany, the Soviet Union and Italy

    The Axis powers were fascist Germany and Italy and the Empire of Japan. (The Second World War)

37. 337.Who became Prime Minister and Britain’s war leader in 1940?

    • AClement Attlee
    • BWinston Churchill
    • CHarold Macmillan
    • DNeville Chamberlain

    Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and Britain's war leader in 1940. (The Second World War)

38. 338.How many men were rescued from the beaches around Dunkirk?

    • AMore than 3 million
    • BAbout 60,000
    • CMore than 300,000
    • DMore than 30,000

    More than 300,000 men were rescued from the beaches around Dunkirk. (The Second World War)

39. 339.Who helped the Navy rescue soldiers at Dunkirk?

    • ACivilian volunteers in small pleasure and fishing boats
    • BThe French navy
    • CThe Royal Air Force alone
    • DMerchant ships from the United States

    Many civilian volunteers in small pleasure and fishing boats helped the Navy at Dunkirk. (The Second World War)

40. 340.Which phrase came from the evacuation of Dunkirk?

    • AThe few
    • BThe finest hour
    • CThe Blitz spirit
    • DThe Dunkirk spirit

    The evacuation of Dunkirk gave rise to the phrase 'the Dunkirk spirit'. (The Second World War)

41. 341.What was the Battle of Britain?

    • AA naval battle in the North Sea
    • BThe crucial aerial battle against the Germans in the summer of 1940
    • CA tank battle in North Africa
    • DThe defence of London against invasion by sea

    Summer 1940 brought the decisive aerial battle with the Germans, won by the British and called the Battle of Britain. (The Second World War)

42. 342.Which TWO planes were most important to the RAF in the Battle of Britain?

    Choose two

    • AThe Lancaster
    • BThe Spitfire
    • CThe Hurricane
    • DThe Harrier

    The Spitfire and the Hurricane were designed and built in Britain. (The Second World War)

43. 343.What was the German bombing of British cities at night called?

    • AThe Battle of Britain
    • BThe Dunkirk evacuation
    • CThe Blitz spirit
    • DThe Blitz

    The German bombing of London and other British cities at night-time was called the Blitz. (The Second World War)

44. 344.Which city was almost totally destroyed in the Blitz?

    • ACoventry
    • BSheffield
    • CNorwich
    • DPlymouth

    Coventry was almost totally destroyed in the Blitz. (The Second World War)

45. 345.What does the phrase ‘the Blitz spirit’ describe?

    • ABritons pulling together in the face of adversity
    • BThe rescue of soldiers from Dunkirk
    • CThe bravery of RAF pilots
    • DThe rebuilding of London after the war

    Summer 1940 brought the decisive aerial battle with the Germans, won by the British and called the Battle of Britain. (The Second World War)

46. 346.On what date did allied forces land in Normandy?

    • A11 November 1918
    • B8 May 1945
    • C3 September 1939
    • D6 June 1944

    On 6 June 1944 allied forces landed in Normandy, an event often referred to as D-Day. (Allied victory and post-war reform)

47. 347.By what name is the Normandy landing often referred to?

    • AD-Day
    • BThe Dunkirk evacuation
    • CThe Battle of Britain
    • DThe Blitz

    On 6 June 1944 allied forces landed in Normandy, an event often referred to as D-Day. (Allied victory and post-war reform)

48. 348.When did the Allies comprehensively defeat Germany?

    • ADecember 1941
    • BAugust 1945
    • CJune 1944
    • DMay 1945

    The Allies comprehensively defeated Germany in May 1945. (Allied victory and post-war reform)

49. 349.How did the war against Japan end?

    • AJapan surrendered after the fall of Germany
    • BThe United States dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
    • CJapan was invaded by allied forces
    • DThe Soviet Union defeated Japan in Manchuria

    Atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war against Japan in August 1945. (Allied victory and post-war reform)

50. 350.Which TWO events happened during the Second World War?

    Choose two

    • AThe Great Exhibition
    • BThe evacuation of Dunkirk
    • CThe Battle of Trafalgar
    • DThe Battle of Britain

    Free at the point of use, the NHS guaranteed everyone a minimum standard of health care. (Allied victory and post-war reform)