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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.
51.About how many senior MPs does the Prime Minister appoint as ministers in charge of departments?
- AAbout 10
- BAbout 20
- CAbout 100
- DAbout 50
Cabinet membership is the Prime Minister's to appoint, along with many senior public appointments. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
52.Who is responsible for the economy?
- AThe Foreign Secretary
- BThe Home Secretary
- CThe Prime Minister
- DThe Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
53.Who is responsible for crime, policing and immigration?
- AThe Chancellor of the Exchequer
- BThe Home Secretary
- CThe Foreign Secretary
- DThe Lord Chancellor
The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
54.Who is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries?
- AThe Chancellor of the Exchequer
- BThe Home Secretary
- CThe Prime Minister
- DThe Foreign Secretary
The Foreign Secretary is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
55.What are other ministers in charge of departments called?
- AParliamentary Under-Secretaries
- BShadow ministers
- CMinisters of State
- DSecretaries of State
Other ministers are called Secretaries of State and are responsible for subjects such as education, health and defence. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
56.How often does the cabinet usually meet?
- AWeekly
- BMonthly
- CDaily
- DOnce a session
Meeting weekly as a committee, the cabinet takes the important decisions on government policy. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
57.Which party is called the opposition?
- AThe second-largest party in the House of Commons
- BThe party with the fewest MPs
- CThe largest party in the House of Lords
- DAny party not in government
Opposition is what the Commons' second-largest party is called. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
58.What takes place every week while Parliament is sitting?
- AThe State Opening of Parliament
- BA cabinet meeting in public
- CPrime Minister’s Questions
- DA vote of confidence
Prime Minister's Questions takes place every week while Parliament is sitting. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
59.What is the shadow cabinet?
- AA select committee of the House of Lords
- BSenior opposition MPs appointed to challenge the government
- CThe junior ministers serving in each department
- DThe group of independent MPs in the Commons
The leader of the opposition appoints senior opposition MPs to be shadow ministers, who form the shadow cabinet. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
60.Which TWO are roles of the shadow cabinet?
Choose two
- AAppointing life peers
- BPutting forward alternative policies
- CChallenging the government
- DApproving the budget
The role of the shadow cabinet is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
61.From what age can a person stand for election as an MP?
- A16
- B25
- C21
- D18
Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
62.Which of these is a major political party in the UK?
- AThe CBI
- BGreenpeace
- CThe Liberal Democrats
- DLiberty
The major political parties are the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
63.What are MPs who represent none of the main parties called?
- ACrossbenchers
- BIndependents
- CBackbenchers
- DShadow ministers
MPs who do not represent any of the main political parties are called independents. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
64.What do pressure and lobby groups do?
- AStand candidates at General Elections
- BAppoint life peers
- CDeliver public services
- DTry to influence government policy
Pressure and lobby groups are organisations which try to influence government policy. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
65.What does the CBI represent?
- AEnvironmental campaigners
- BTrade union members
- CHuman rights campaigners
- DThe views of British business
The CBI, the Confederation of British Industry, represents the views of British business. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
66.Which organisation campaigns on human rights?
- ALiberty
- BGreenpeace
- CThe National Trust
- DThe CBI
Greenpeace campaigns on the environment and Liberty campaigns on human rights. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
67.Which organisation campaigns on the environment?
- AThe CBI
- BThe Appointments Commission
- CGreenpeace
- DLiberty
Greenpeace campaigns on the environment and Liberty campaigns on human rights. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
68.How are civil servants chosen?
- ABy the monarch
- BOn merit
- CBy political appointment
- DBy election
Civil servants are accountable to ministers, are chosen on merit and are politically neutral. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
69.Which TWO are core values of the civil service?
Choose two
- ALoyalty to the governing party
- BImpartiality
- CIntegrity
- DSeniority
The core values of the civil service are integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
70.How are local authority services funded?
- AEntirely by council tax raised locally
- BBy the devolved administrations of the UK
- CBy charitable donations and local fundraising
- DBy funding from central government and by local taxes
Local authorities are funded by money from central government and by local taxes. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
71.What is the usual role of a mayor appointed by a local authority?
- ALeader of the largest party
- BChair of the county council
- CCeremonial leader of the council
- DChief executive of the council
A mayor appointed by a local authority is usually its ceremonial head. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
72.How many local authorities does London have?
- A43
- B23
- C33
- D13
Democratically elected councils — commonly called local authorities — govern the towns, cities and rural areas. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
73.When are local elections for councillors usually held?
- AEvery four years in June
- BIn October every year
- CEvery five years
- DIn May every year
Councillor elections come round each May in most local authority areas. (Parties, pressure groups, the civil service and local government)
74.Since which year has there been a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament?
- A1997
- B2011
- C1999
- D1998
There has been a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament since 1999. (Devolved administrations)
75.In the official handbook, what is the Welsh devolved body called?
- AThe Welsh Grand Committee
- BThe National Assembly for Wales
- CThe Welsh Executive
- DThe Council of Wales
In the handbook the Welsh body is the National Assembly for Wales, meeting in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. (Devolved administrations)
76.How many members does the National Assembly for Wales have?
- A60
- B129
- C108
- D33
The National Assembly for Wales has 60 Assembly members, known as AMs. (Devolved administrations)
77.What are members of the National Assembly for Wales known as?
- AMLAs
- BMPs
- CMSPs
- DAMs
The National Assembly for Wales has 60 Assembly members, known as AMs. (Devolved administrations)
78.How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?
- A60
- B108
- C129
- D650
There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs, elected by a form of proportional representation. (Devolved administrations)
79.What are members of the Scottish Parliament known as?
- AMPs
- BMSPs
- CAMs
- DMLAs
There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs, elected by a form of proportional representation. (Devolved administrations)
80.Where does the Scottish Parliament sit?
- ACardiff
- BGlasgow
- CBelfast
- DEdinburgh
The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999 and sits in Edinburgh. (Devolved administrations)
81.How many members does the Northern Ireland Assembly have?
- A60
- B129
- C650
- D108
The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs, members of the Legislative Assembly. (Devolved administrations)
82.What are members of the Northern Ireland Assembly known as?
- AAMs
- BMPs
- CMLAs
- DMSPs
The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs, members of the Legislative Assembly. (Devolved administrations)
83.Which TWO areas remain under central UK government control?
Choose two
- ADefence
- BForeign affairs
- CEducation
- DHealth
Policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security remain under central UK government control. (Devolved administrations)
84.Which of these is controlled by the devolved administrations?
- ASocial security
- BEducation
- CImmigration
- DDefence
The Scottish Parliament can legislate on civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and additional tax-raising powers. (Devolved administrations)
85.In how many areas can the National Assembly for Wales make laws?
- A31
- B12
- C60
- D21
The National Assembly for Wales has the power to make laws for Wales in 21 areas. (Devolved administrations)
86.Since which year has the Welsh Assembly been able to pass laws without the agreement of the UK Parliament?
- A1997
- B2011
- C1998
- D1999
Westminster's agreement has not been needed for Welsh laws on those topics since 2011. (Devolved administrations)
87.When was the Northern Ireland Parliament established, and when abolished?
- AEstablished in 1922, abolished in 1972
- BEstablished in 1969, abolished in 1998
- CEstablished in 1998, abolished in 2002
- DEstablished in 1921, abolished in 1969
A Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922 but was abolished in 1972. (Devolved administrations)
88.In which year did the Troubles break out?
- A1922
- B1998
- C1972
- D1969
The Troubles broke out in 1969. (Devolved administrations)
89.By what other name is the Belfast Agreement known?
- AThe Downing Street Declaration
- BThe Anglo-Irish Agreement
- CThe Good Friday Agreement
- DThe Stormont Agreement
1998's Belfast Agreement — the Good Friday Agreement — was shortly followed by the Northern Ireland Assembly. (Devolved administrations)
90.Which system are members of the devolved bodies elected by?
- AFirst past the post
- BAppointment by the monarch
- CThe single-member plurality system
- DA form of proportional representation
There are 129 members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs, elected by a form of proportional representation. (Devolved administrations)
91.What power does the UK government have over the devolved assemblies?
- AIt can suspend them
- BIt can appoint their members
- CIt has no power over them
- DIt can dissolve them permanently
The UK government has the power to suspend all devolved assemblies. (Devolved administrations)
92.Since which year has the UK had a fully democratic voting system?
- A1832
- B1918
- C1969
- D1928
The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
93.In which year was the present voting age of 18 set?
- A1969
- B1928
- C1918
- D1979
The present voting age of 18 was set in 1969. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
94.Who can vote in all UK public elections?
- AOnly citizens who were born in the United Kingdom
- BAny resident of the UK aged 18 or over, whatever their citizenship
- COnly citizens who own property in the United Kingdom
- DAdult citizens of the UK, and resident citizens of the Commonwealth and Ireland
All public elections are open to adult UK citizens, and to resident citizens of Ireland and the Commonwealth. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
95.What must you be on to vote in a parliamentary or local election?
- AThe census
- BThe National Register of Electors
- CThe council tax register
- DThe electoral register
Your name must appear on the electoral register before you can vote in a parliamentary or local election. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
96.When is the electoral register updated each year?
- AIn September or October
- BIn April or May
- CIn January
- DIn July
The electoral register is updated every year in September or October. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
97.Which system of registration operates in Northern Ireland?
- AIndividual registration
- BAutomatic registration
- CHousehold registration
- DPostal registration
In Northern Ireland a system called individual registration operates, and all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
98.What are polling stations called in Scotland?
- APolling places
- BVoting halls
- CElection centres
- DPolling booths
People vote at places called polling stations, or polling places in Scotland. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
99.What hours is the polling station open on election day?
- AFrom 7.00 am until 10.00 pm
- BFrom 7.00 am until 9.00 pm
- CFrom 8.00 am until 8.00 pm
- DFrom 9.00 am until 9.00 pm
On election day the polling station is open from 7.00 am until 10.00 pm. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
100.What must you show at a polling station in Northern Ireland?
- AYour passport
- BProof of address only
- CYour poll card only
- DPhotographic identification
In Northern Ireland you have to show photographic identification at the polling station. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
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.