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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.
101.What can you do if it is difficult to get to a polling station?
- AVote by telephone
- BAsk a family member to vote for you
- CVote online
- DRegister for a postal ballot
If it is difficult to get to a polling station you can register for a postal ballot. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
102.Which TWO groups cannot stand for public office?
Choose two
- AMembers of the armed forces
- BCommonwealth citizens resident in the UK
- CPeople aged over 70
- DCivil servants
Members of the armed forces, civil servants and people found guilty of certain criminal offences cannot stand for public office. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
103.What may members of the House of Lords not stand for election to?
- AThe Scottish Parliament
- BA local council
- CThe House of Commons
- DAny public office
Members of the armed forces, civil servants and people found guilty of certain criminal offences cannot stand for public office. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
104.What are the official reports of proceedings in Parliament called?
- AThe Gazette
- BThe Journal
- CThe Record
- DHansard
Television carries proceedings in Parliament, and Hansard is the official printed report. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
105.What does it mean that the UK has a free press?
- ANewspapers may not be sued for libel
- BNewspapers receive no advertising revenue
- CWhat is written in newspapers is free from government control
- DNewspapers are distributed free of charge
The UK has a free press, which means that what is written in newspapers is free from government control. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
106.What does the law require of radio and television coverage of political parties?
- AIt must be balanced, giving equal time to rival viewpoints
- BIt must be approved by the Speaker
- CIt must favour the governing party
- DIt must exclude parties with fewer than ten MPs
Balance is required by law of radio and television coverage of the parties, rival viewpoints receiving equal time. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
107.How much does it cost to listen to debates from the public galleries at Westminster?
- AYou must buy a ticket in advance
- BNothing — entrance is free
- CIt is free only for UK citizens
- DA small charge per person
Galleries in both Houses at the Palace of Westminster are open to the public free of charge. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
108.What is the Commonwealth?
- AA trading bloc made of former British colonies
- BAn association of countries working together towards shared goals
- CA court that protects human rights in Europe
- DA military alliance of European countries
Countries supporting one another towards shared aims in development and democracy make up the Commonwealth. (The UK and international institutions)
109.How many member states does the Commonwealth currently have?
- A15
- B47
- C54
- D190
The Commonwealth currently has 54 member states. (The UK and international institutions)
110.Who is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth?
- AThe Prime Minister
- BThe monarch
- CA rotating head of state
- DThe Secretary-General
The monarch is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth. (The UK and international institutions)
111.What power does the Commonwealth have over its members?
- ANo power over its members, although it can suspend membership
- BIt can make laws that bind all of its members
- CIt can impose economic sanctions upon a member
- DIt can deploy peacekeeping forces to a member
Empire membership lies behind most Commonwealth states, though a few that were never part of it have joined. (The UK and international institutions)
112.Which THREE core values is the Commonwealth based on?
- ADemocracy, good government and the rule of law
- BDemocracy, free trade and defence
- CPeace, order and good government
- DLiberty, equality and fraternity
Democracy, the rule of law and good government are the Commonwealth's core values. (The UK and international institutions)
113.How many member countries does the Council of Europe have?
- A190
- B54
- C15
- D47
The Council of Europe has 47 member countries, including the UK. (The UK and international institutions)
114.What is the Council of Europe responsible for?
- AMaking laws for its member countries
- BThe protection and promotion of human rights
- CManaging the Euro currency
- DCoordinating European defence
The Council of Europe is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in its member countries. (The UK and international institutions)
115.Which is the best-known convention drawn up by the Council of Europe?
- AThe European Convention on Human Rights
- BThe Treaty of Rome
- CThe Geneva Convention
- DThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The best-known convention of the Council of Europe is the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. (The UK and international institutions)
116.How many countries are members of the United Nations?
- AMore than 190
- BMore than 90
- CExactly 47
- DExactly 54
The United Nations has more than 190 countries as members. (The UK and international institutions)
117.Why was the United Nations set up?
- ATo coordinate the defence of its members
- BTo protect human rights in Europe
- CTo prevent war and promote international peace and security
- DTo promote free trade between nations
Preventing war and promoting international peace and security were the aims behind founding the United Nations after the Second World War. (The UK and international institutions)
118.How many members are there on the UN Security Council?
- A5
- B47
- C190
- D15
There are 15 members on the UN Security Council. (The UK and international institutions)
119.How many permanent members does the UN Security Council have, including the UK?
- AFive
- BTen
- CThree
- DFifteen
The UK is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council. (The UK and international institutions)
120.What is NATO?
- AThe body responsible for protecting human rights in Europe
- BAn association made up of former British colonies
- CThe peacekeeping arm of the United Nations Security Council
- DA group of European and North American countries that help each other if attacked
European and North American countries pledged to come to one another's aid if attacked make up NATO. (The UK and international institutions)
121.What is civil law used for?
- ATo appoint judges to the courts of the UK
- BTo prosecute the most serious criminal offences
- CTo make changes to the British constitution
- DTo settle disputes between individuals or groups
Civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups. (Criminal and civil law)
122.Who usually investigates crimes?
- AThe police or another authority such as a council
- BThe Crown Prosecution Service alone
- CThe courts
- DLocal councillors
Crimes fall under criminal law and are normally investigated by police, or by another authority such as a council. (Criminal and civil law)
123.Is it legal to carry a knife for self-defence in the UK?
- AOnly in Northern Ireland, not elsewhere
- BYes, with a permit issued by the police
- CNo, carrying a weapon of any kind is a criminal offence
- DYes, provided the blade is short enough
Carrying any weapon at all is a criminal offence, self-defence being no excuse. (Criminal and civil law)
124.Which of these is an example of criminal law?
- AA dispute between a landlord and tenant
- BCarrying a weapon
- CA dispute over faulty goods
- DA dispute over unpaid wages
Carrying any weapon at all is a criminal offence, self-defence being no excuse. (Criminal and civil law)
125.Which of these is an example of civil law?
- AHousing law
- BCarrying a weapon
- CRacial crime
- DSelling drugs
Repairs, eviction and similar landlord and tenant disputes fall under housing law. (Criminal and civil law)
126.Which TWO are examples of civil law?
Choose two
- ASmoking in enclosed public places
- BConsumer rights
- CRacial crime
- DEmployment law
Consumer rights cases include disputes about faulty goods or services. (Criminal and civil law)
127.At what age is it legal to be sold tobacco products?
- A16
- B21
- C18
- D17
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. (Criminal and civil law)
128.Where is it against the law to smoke tobacco products?
- AIn nearly every enclosed public place
- BOnly on public transport
- COnly in workplaces
- DOnly in restaurants and pubs
Smoking tobacco is unlawful in nearly any enclosed public place here. (Criminal and civil law)
129.At what age can a person be sold alcohol?
- A16
- B17
- C21
- D18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. (Criminal and civil law)
130.What is the one exception for people aged 16 or over and alcohol?
- AThey can drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant
- BThey can buy beer in a supermarket
- CThey can drink at home unsupervised
- DThey can buy alcohol on licensed premises
With a meal in a hotel or restaurant, alcohol may be drunk from the age of 16. (Criminal and civil law)
131.What can the police do in an alcohol-free zone?
- AClose nearby licensed premises
- BConfiscate alcohol or move young people on
- CArrest anyone carrying alcohol
- DIssue a criminal record
Some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public. (Criminal and civil law)
132.What kind of law covers unfair dismissal?
- AConsumer rights
- BCriminal law
- CHousing law
- DEmployment law
Wages, unfair dismissal and workplace discrimination are the stuff of employment law cases. (Criminal and civil law)
133.Which THREE things is the job of the police in the UK?
- AKeep the peace, make laws, and enforce them
- BProtect life and property, prosecute offenders, and pass sentence
- CProtect life and property, prevent disturbances, and prevent and detect crime
- DPrevent crime, decide verdicts, and run the prisons
Three police duties: protecting life and property; preventing disturbances; preventing and detecting crime. (The police and their duties)
134.What is preventing disturbances also known as?
- APublic order duty
- BCommunity policing
- CKeeping the peace
- DDetecting crime
Preventing disturbances is also known as keeping the peace. (The police and their duties)
135.Who heads each separate police force?
- AA Police and Crime Commissioner
- BA Chief Constable
- CThe Home Secretary
- DA magistrate
Separate forces, each under its own Chief Constable, are how the police are organised. (The police and their duties)
136.Who appoints the local chief constable?
- AThe local council
- BThe Home Secretary
- CThe Chief Inspector of Constabulary
- DThe Police and Crime Commissioner
Police and Crime Commissioners appoint the local Chief Constable. (The police and their duties)
137.When were Police and Crime Commissioners first elected?
- ANovember 2010
- BNovember 2012
- CMay 2015
- DMay 2012
In November 2012 the public first elected Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales. (The police and their duties)
138.Which TWO do Police and Crime Commissioners do?
Choose two
- ADecide criminal verdicts
- BAppoint the local Chief Constable
- CSet local police priorities
- DInvestigate serious crimes
Police and Crime Commissioners set local police priorities and the local policing budget. (The police and their duties)
139.Which of these must a police officer not do?
- AQuestion a witness
- BArrest a suspect
- CMake a false statement
- DGive evidence in court
Officers are bound by the law too — no misuse of authority, no false statement, no rudeness or abuse, no racial discrimination. (The police and their duties)
140.What happens to police officers who are corrupt or misuse their authority?
- AThey are suspended without pay
- BThey are transferred to another force
- CThey are severely punished
- DThey are given further training
Officers are bound by the law too — no misuse of authority, no false statement, no rudeness or abuse, no racial discrimination. (The police and their duties)
141.What do police community support officers usually do?
- ASet the local policing budget and the local priorities
- BPatrol the streets, work with the public and support officers at crime scenes
- CHead a police force in the role of Chief Constable
- DDecide whether a suspect should be charged with an offence
Street patrol, work with the public, and support at crime scenes and major events are the usual duties of police community support officers. (The police and their duties)
142.What will happen if you are arrested and taken to a police station?
- AYou will be told the reason for your arrest and be able to seek legal advice
- BYou will be charged before you may speak to anyone
- CYou will be held for 48 hours before any questioning
- DYou must answer every question put to you at once
On arrest at a station you must be told why, and may seek legal advice. (The police and their duties)
143.How can anyone make a complaint about the police?
- AOnly through a solicitor acting on your behalf
- BBy going to a police station or writing to the Chief Constable
- COnly through your own member of Parliament
- DOnly by writing to the Home Secretary
A complaint about the police may be made at any station, or in writing to the force's Chief Constable. (The police and their duties)
144.What are judges together called?
- AThe magistracy
- BThe judiciary
- CThe bar
- DThe bench
Interpreting law, and keeping trials fair, is the work of judges — the judiciary. (The courts)
145.What are judges responsible for?
- AMaking the new laws that Parliament approves
- BInterpreting the law and ensuring trials are conducted fairly
- CInvestigating crimes reported to the police
- DProsecuting criminal cases in the Crown Court
Interpreting law, and keeping trials fair, is the work of judges — the judiciary. (The courts)
146.Where are most minor criminal cases dealt with in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- AA County Court
- BA Justice of the Peace Court
- CA Magistrates’ Court
- DA Crown Court
Minor crime goes to a Magistrates' Court in Northern Ireland, England and Wales. (The courts)
147.Where do minor criminal offences go in Scotland?
- AA Sheriff Court
- BA Justice of the Peace Court
- CA Magistrates’ Court
- DA High Court
A Justice of the Peace Court takes minor criminal offences in Scotland. (The courts)
148.Are magistrates in England, Wales and Scotland paid?
- AYes, they are salaried
- BOnly in Scotland
- CNo, they usually work unpaid
- DThey receive a daily fee
Magistrates and Justices of the Peace are members of the local community and usually work unpaid without legal qualifications. (The courts)
149.Where are serious offences tried in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- AThe High Court, before a judge and jury
- BA County Court, before a judge sitting alone
- CA Magistrates’ Court, before three magistrates
- DA Crown Court, before a judge and jury
Judge and jury in a Crown Court try serious offences in Northern Ireland, England and Wales. (The courts)
150.Where are serious cases heard in Scotland?
- AA County Court
- BA Crown Court
- CA Magistrates’ Court
- DA Sheriff Court
Scotland's serious cases go to a Sheriff Court, before a sheriff alone or a sheriff with a jury. (The courts)
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.