The whole bank, free
The UK government, the law and your role questions
There are 195 the uk government, the law and your role 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.
1.What is democracy?
- AA system of government where the whole adult population gets a say
- BA system in which the monarch appoints the government
- CA system in which only property owners vote
- DA system of government by appointed officials
Under democracy the whole adult population has a say in government. (The development of British democracy)
2.What does the franchise mean?
- AThe number of people who had the right to vote
- BThe system of secret ballots
- CThe right to stand for Parliament
- DThe payment of MPs
The franchise means the number of people who had the right to vote. (The development of British democracy)
3.How many changes did the Chartists campaign for?
- ASix
- BTen
- CFour
- DThree
In the 1830s and 1840s the Chartists campaigned for six changes. (The development of British democracy)
4.Which TWO were among the Chartists’ demands?
Choose two
- AFor MPs to be paid
- BVotes for women
- CA written constitution
- DSecret ballots
The Chartists wanted all regions to be equal in the electoral system and secret ballots. (The development of British democracy)
5.By which year had most of the Chartists’ reforms been adopted?
- A1918
- B1928
- C1969
- D1867
By 1918 most of the Chartists' reforms had been adopted. (The development of British democracy)
6.In 1918, which women were given the vote?
- AWomen over 30
- BWomen over 18
- CWomen over 21
- DAll adult women
In 1918 the voting franchise was extended to women over 30. (The development of British democracy)
7.In which year were men and women over 21 given the vote?
- A1928
- B1969
- C1832
- D1918
In 1928 the franchise was extended to men and women over 21. (The development of British democracy)
8.In which year was the voting age reduced to 18?
- A1928
- B1918
- C1969
- D1979
Men and women alike could vote from 18 once the age was lowered in 1969. (The development of British democracy)
9.Who could vote at the turn of the 19th century?
- AAll men over 21, whatever property they held
- BOnly members of the nobility and the bishops
- CMen over 21 who owned a certain amount of property
- DAll men, and all women over the age of 30
At the turn of the 19th century only men over 21 who owned a certain amount of property could vote. (The development of British democracy)
10.What is a constitution?
- AA written list of citizens’ rights only
- BA set of principles by which a country is governed
- CThe body of laws passed by Parliament
- DThe rules governing elections
A country is governed by a set of principles, and that set is its constitution. (The British constitution)
11.How is the British constitution described?
- ACodified
- BUnwritten
- CFederal
- DRepublican
The British constitution is not written down in any single document and is therefore described as unwritten. (The British constitution)
12.Why is the British constitution described as unwritten?
- AIt was destroyed in the Great Fire of London
- BIt exists only as spoken convention
- CIt has never been recorded in law
- DIt is not written down in any single document
The British constitution is not written down in any single document and is therefore described as unwritten. (The British constitution)
13.Why has the UK never adopted a single constitutional document?
- AIt has never had a revolution leading permanently to a new system of government
- BThe devolved governments have never been able to agree upon one
- CThe monarch has refused to give assent to any such document
- DParliament has repeatedly voted against having one
No revolution here has ever permanently replaced the system of government, as happened in France or America. (The British constitution)
14.Which TWO are main parts of government in the UK?
Choose two
- AThe judiciary
- BThe trade unions
- CThe Church of England
- DThe civil service
The main parts of government in the UK are the monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the judiciary, the police, the civil service and local government. (The British constitution)
15.What is the judiciary?
- ALocal government
- BThe courts
- CThe civil service
- DThe police
The main parts of government in the UK are the monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the judiciary, the police, the civil service and local government. (The British constitution)
16.Which advantage do supporters of an unwritten constitution give?
- AIt is cheaper to maintain than a written one
- BIt prevents devolution to Scotland and Wales
- CIt allows for more flexibility and better government
- DIt gives the monarch more power than otherwise
Some people believe there should be a single constitutional document, while others believe an unwritten constitution allows for more flexibility and better government. (The British constitution)
17.What does it mean that the UK is a constitutional monarchy?
- AThe monarch may veto any Act of Parliament
- BThe monarch appoints the government of their own choosing
- CThe monarch rules according to a written constitution
- DThe monarch does not rule but appoints the government the people have chosen
Under constitutional monarchy the king or queen appoints, rather than rules: the government is the one voters chose. (The monarchy)
18.Whom does the monarch invite to become Prime Minister?
- AThe leader chosen by the House of Lords
- BThe leader of the party with the most votes nationally
- CThe Speaker of the House of Commons
- DThe leader of the party with the largest number of MPs, or of a coalition
An invitation to become Prime Minister goes to whoever leads the party holding most MPs, or leads a coalition. (The monarchy)
19.What can the monarch do in meetings with the Prime Minister?
- AAppoint ministers directly
- BAdvise, warn and encourage
- CDirect government policy
- DVeto cabinet decisions
Advising, warning and encouraging are open to the monarch in regular meetings with the Prime Minister. (The monarchy)
20.Who makes decisions on government policies?
- AThe monarch, advised by the Privy Council
- BThe civil service, headed by its ministers
- CThe House of Lords, checking the Commons
- DThe Prime Minister and cabinet
Decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet. (The monarchy)
21.What does the monarch do at the opening of each new parliamentary session?
- AAppoints the members of the cabinet
- BPresents the budget for the year ahead
- CMakes a speech summarising the government’s policies for the year ahead
- DSwears in the newly elected members of Parliament
The monarch opens the new parliamentary session each year with a speech summarising the government's policies for the year ahead. (The monarchy)
22.In whose name are all Acts of Parliament made?
- AThe Prime Minister’s
- BParliament’s
- CThe Speaker’s
- DThe monarch’s
All Acts of Parliament are made in the monarch's name. (The monarchy)
23.Which TWO are ceremonial roles of the monarch?
Choose two
- AChoosing the cabinet
- BSetting the level of income tax
- CReceiving foreign ambassadors and high commissioners
- DOpening the new parliamentary session
The monarch opens the new parliamentary session each year with a speech summarising the government's policies for the year ahead. (The monarchy)
24.What do new citizens do at the citizenship ceremony?
- ATake a further written test
- BSign the electoral register
- CRenounce their previous citizenship
- DSwear or affirm loyalty to the monarch
New citizens swear or affirm loyalty to the monarch as part of the citizenship ceremony. (The monarchy)
25.What is the alternative to an oath of allegiance for new citizens?
- AA written declaration to the Home Office
- BAn affirmation of allegiance
- CA pledge to the Prime Minister
- DA signed undertaking to obey the law
New citizens make either an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of allegiance. (The monarchy)
26.What does each parliamentary constituency elect?
- AOne member of Parliament
- BOne peer
- CTwo members of Parliament
- DOne councillor
The UK is divided into parliamentary constituencies, and voters in each elect their member of Parliament in a General Election. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
27.Which chamber is regarded as the more important, and why?
- AThe House of Lords, because it can overrule the Commons
- BThe House of Commons, because its members are democratically elected
- CNeither — they have equal status
- DThe House of Lords, because its members are more experienced
All of the elected MPs form the House of Commons. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
28.What are members of the House of Lords known as?
- AMSPs
- BMPs
- CMLAs
- DPeers
Members of the House of Lords are known as peers and are not elected by the people. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
29.Do peers represent a constituency?
- AOnly bishops do
- BYes, a large regional constituency
- CNo
- DYes, the same constituencies as MPs
Peers do not represent a constituency. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
30.What were all peers until 1958?
- AHereditary, senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England
- BNominated by an independent Appointments Commission
- CElected by the other peers of the realm
- DAppointed for life by the Prime Minister
Until 1958 all peers were hereditary, or senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
31.What are peers whose title cannot be inherited by their children called?
- ACrossbench peers
- BLords Spiritual
- CLife peers
- DHereditary peers
Nomination of peers for their lifetime alone — life peers — has been the Prime Minister's power since 1958. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
32.Who appoints life peers?
- AThe House of Lords itself
- BThe House of Commons by a vote
- CThe monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister
- DThe Appointments Commission alone
Appointment of life peers is made by the monarch, advised by the Prime Minister. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
33.What happened to hereditary peers in 1999?
- AThey gained the right to sit in the Commons
- BThey lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords
- CThey were all removed from the House of Lords
- DThey were replaced by life peers
Automatic attendance ended for hereditary peers in 1999, and they now elect a handful to speak for them. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
34.Who nominates non-party peers?
- AAn independent Appointments Commission
- BThe Speaker of the House of Commons
- CThe Prime Minister of the day
- DThe monarch, acting on her own initiative
Non-party peers are nominated by an independent Appointments Commission. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
35.Which TWO are responsibilities of an MP?
Choose two
- AAppointing government ministers
- BHelping to create new laws
- CRepresenting everyone in their constituency
- DNominating life peers
An MP's work: representing everyone in the constituency, helping make laws, scrutinising and commenting on government, and debating national questions. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
36.What is the House of Lords’ role in relation to laws?
- AIt has no role in making laws
- BIt sets the legislative timetable
- CIt must approve every law before the Commons votes
- DIt can suggest amendments and checks laws passed by the Commons
The House of Lords can suggest amendments or propose new laws and checks laws passed by the House of Commons. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
37.How often does the House of Commons use its powers to overrule the Lords?
- AOnly during a coalition
- BNever
- CNot often
- DAt every session
Powers to overrule the Lords exist in the Commons but see little use. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
38.Who chairs debates in the House of Commons?
- AThe Speaker
- BThe Leader of the House
- CThe Prime Minister
- DThe Lord Chancellor
Debates in the House of Commons are chaired by the Speaker, who is the chief officer of the House of Commons. (The Speaker and elections)
39.Is the Speaker a member of a political party?
- AYes, always the governing party
- BNo, the Speaker is neutral
- COnly in the House of Lords
- DYes, but only in constituency matters
Party allegiance is set aside by the Speaker, who nonetheless remains an MP. (The Speaker and elections)
40.How is the Speaker chosen?
- ABy the Prime Minister
- BBy the House of Lords
- CBy the monarch
- DBy other MPs in a secret ballot
The Speaker is chosen by other MPs in a secret ballot. (The Speaker and elections)
41.Which TWO does the Speaker do?
Choose two
- AKeep order during political debates
- BChoose the members of the cabinet
- CRepresent Parliament on ceremonial occasions
- DVote on every division in the Commons
The Speaker keeps order during political debates and makes sure the rules are followed. (The Speaker and elections)
42.How often must a General Election be held?
- AEvery year
- BAt least every five years
- CAt least every three years
- DAt least every four years
A General Election, at which MPs are chosen, comes at least once every five years. (The Speaker and elections)
43.What is a by-election?
- AA fresh election in a constituency where the MP has died or resigned
- BA local council election
- CAn election held in a devolved administration
- DA second round of voting where no candidate has a majority
If an MP dies or resigns there will be a fresh election in his or her constituency, called a by-election. (The Speaker and elections)
44.What is the UK electoral system for MPs called?
- AFirst past the post
- BThe alternative vote
- CProportional representation
- DThe single transferable vote
MPs are elected through a system called first past the post. (The Speaker and elections)
45.Under first past the post, who is elected in each constituency?
- AThe candidate chosen by the party leader
- BThe candidate who gets the most votes
- CThe two candidates with the most votes
- DThe candidate who gets more than half the votes
Under first past the post the candidate who gets the most votes in each constituency is elected. (The Speaker and elections)
46.What happens if no party wins a majority at a General Election?
- AA second election is held immediately
- BThe largest party governs automatically
- CThe monarch chooses the government
- DTwo parties may join together to form a coalition
A General Election, at which MPs are chosen, comes at least once every five years. (The Speaker and elections)
47.What is a local ‘surgery’?
- AA committee of the House of Commons
- BA medical service provided by the local authority
- CA meeting of the local party branch
- DA session where constituents can talk to their representative in person
Local surgeries are held regularly by many MPs, MSPs and Assembly members, so constituents can talk to them face to face. (The Speaker and elections)
48.Who is the Prime Minister?
- AThe leader of the political party in power
- BThe leader of the largest party in the House of Lords
- CThe MP with the longest service
- DThe Speaker of the House of Commons
The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party in power. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
49.What is the official home of the Prime Minister?
- AThe Palace of Westminster
- B10 Downing Street
- CBuckingham Palace
- DChequers
10 Downing Street, in central London, is the Prime Minister's official home. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
50.What is the Prime Minister’s country house called?
- ASandringham
- B10 Downing Street
- CChequers
- DBalmoral
The Prime Minister has a country house outside London called Chequers. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
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 195 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.