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Life in the UK Test questions and answers
There are 811 practice questions here, each with its correct answer and an explanation, written from Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). The real Life in the UK Test is 24 questions in 45 minutes and you need 18 correct to pass. Reading is free and needs no account.
You will learn more by taking a timed test than by reading answers.
151.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)
152.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)
153.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)
154.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)
155.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)
156.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)
157.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)
158.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)
159.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)
160.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)
161.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)
162.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)
163.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)
164.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)
165.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)
166.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)
167.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)
168.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
Among the first ships to circumnavigate the world was Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)
169.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)
170.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)
171.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)
172.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
The playhouses Shakespeare's plays first appeared in are copied in London's modern Globe Theatre. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)
173.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)
174.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)
175.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)
176.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)
177.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)
178.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)
179.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)
180.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)
181.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)
182.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)
183.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)
184.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)
185.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)
186.Who were the Puritans?
- AProtestants who wanted strict and simple religious doctrine and worship
- BSupporters of the king in the Civil War
- CCatholics who opposed the Reformation
- DMembers of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly
Strict, simple doctrine and worship was what the Puritans, a Protestant group, wanted. (The English Civil War)
187.What has no monarch done since Charles I tried to arrest five parliamentary leaders?
- AAppointed a Prime Minister
- BSet foot in the House of Commons
- CRefused to grant royal assent
- DDissolved Parliament
No monarch has set foot in the House of Commons since Charles I tried to arrest five parliamentary leaders. (The English Civil War)
188.In which year did the English Civil War begin?
- A1660
- B1649
- C1640
- D1642
The English Civil War began in 1642. (The English Civil War)
189.What were supporters of the king called?
- APuritans
- BRoundheads
- CJacobites
- DCavaliers
Those who supported the king were called the Cavaliers and those who supported Parliament were called the Roundheads. (The English Civil War)
190.What were supporters of Parliament called?
- ACavaliers
- BTories
- CRoundheads
- DWhigs
Those who supported the king were called the Cavaliers and those who supported Parliament were called the Roundheads. (The English Civil War)
191.At which TWO battles was the king’s army defeated?
Choose two
- ABosworth Field
- BBannockburn
- CNaseby
- DMarston Moor
Marston Moor and Naseby were the battles that broke the king's army. (Cromwell and the English republic)
192.In which year was Charles I executed?
- A1646
- B1649
- C1660
- D1642
Charles I was executed in 1649. (Cromwell and the English republic)
193.What was the English republic called?
- AThe Commonwealth
- BThe Union
- CThe Free State
- DThe Protectorate
England declared itself a republic, called the Commonwealth, with no monarch. (Cromwell and the English republic)
194.What title was Oliver Cromwell given?
- APrime Minister
- BLord Chancellor
- CLord Protector
- DLord Lieutenant
Lord Protector was Oliver Cromwell's title, and he held it until he died in 1658. (Cromwell and the English republic)
195.In which year did Oliver Cromwell die?
- A1660
- B1658
- C1649
- D1666
Lord Protector was Oliver Cromwell's title, and he held it until he died in 1658. (Cromwell and the English republic)
196.For how long was Britain a republic?
- A11 years
- B2 years
- C20 years
- D5 years
Britain was a republic for 11 years. (Cromwell and the English republic)
197.Where did Charles II famously hide after the Battle of Worcester?
- AIn a cave in Scotland
- BIn a church tower
- CIn an oak tree
- DOn a fishing boat
Charles II escaped from Worcester, famously hiding in an oak tree, and eventually fled to Europe. (Cromwell and the English republic)
198.Who became Lord Protector after Oliver Cromwell?
- ACharles II
- BHis son Henry
- CHis son Richard
- DGeneral Monck
Cromwell's son Richard became Lord Protector but was not able to control the army or the government. (Cromwell and the English republic)
199.Why is Cromwell still a controversial figure in Ireland?
- ABecause of the violence with which he established English authority
- BBecause he introduced the Ulster plantations
- CBecause he abolished the Irish Parliament outright
- DBecause he refused the crown when it was offered
Oliver Cromwell was sent to Ireland, where he established the authority of the English Parliament with such violence that he remains a controversial figure in Ireland today. (Cromwell and the English republic)
200.In which year was Charles II invited back to become king?
- A1666
- B1660
- C1658
- D1649
Exile in the Netherlands ended for Charles II in May 1660, on Parliament's invitation. (The Restoration)
Common questions
- How many questions are in the Life in the UK Test?
- The real test is 24 multiple-choice questions with 45 minutes to answer them, and you need 18 correct to pass. This page lists 811 practice questions drawn from the same official material, which is far more than any single sitting will ask you.
- Are these the real Life in the UK Test questions?
- No, and nobody has them. No government publishes its live exam questions. These are written from Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the official study guide the real questions are drawn from, so the facts being tested are the same even though the wording is ours.
- Do I need an account to read the questions and answers?
- No. Every question, its correct answer and its explanation is on this page with no signup and no payment. An account only matters if you want your progress saved across devices.
- How should I use the question bank?
- Reading answers is the weakest form of revision. Sit a timed test first to find out which chapters you are losing marks on, then come back here and read only those. Recognition feels like knowledge and is not the same thing.