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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.
151.Where are the most serious cases in Scotland, such as murder, heard?
- AA Sheriff Court
- BA High Court, with a judge and jury
- CA Justice of the Peace Court
- DThe Court of Session
Murder and the gravest Scottish cases go to a High Court, before a judge sitting with a jury. (The courts)
152.How many members does a jury have in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- A8
- B10
- C12
- D15
Judge and jury in a Crown Court try serious offences in Northern Ireland, England and Wales. (The courts)
153.How many members does a jury have in Scotland?
- A10
- B12
- C15
- D8
Scotland's serious cases go to a Sheriff Court, before a sheriff alone or a sheriff with a jury. (The courts)
154.Which TWO conditions can lead to being asked to do jury service?
Choose two
- ABeing randomly selected
- BOwning property
- CHolding a British passport
- DBeing on the electoral register
Members of the public drawn at random from the local electoral register make up a jury. (The courts)
155.Which third verdict is possible in Scotland?
- ANot proceeded
- BNo case
- CUndecided
- DNot proven
In Scotland a third verdict of not proven is also possible. (The courts)
156.Who decides the penalty if a jury finds a defendant guilty?
- AThe judge
- BThe magistrates
- CThe Crown Prosecution Service
- DThe jury
On a guilty verdict from the jury, the penalty is the judge's to set. (The courts)
157.Where is an accused person aged 10 to 17 normally heard in England and Wales?
- AA Youth Court
- BA Crown Court
- CA County Court
- DA Magistrates’ Court
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland an accused person aged 10 to 17 is normally heard in a Youth Court. (The courts)
158.What cannot be published about a young person accused in a Youth Court?
- AThe verdict
- BTheir name or photographs
- CThe name of the court
- DThe charge against them
Youth Courts exclude the public, and neither the accused young person's name nor their photograph may be published. (The courts)
159.Which system does Scotland use for children who have committed an offence?
- AYouth conferencing
- BThe Youth Court
- CThe Children’s Hearings System
- DThe Justice of the Peace Court
Children and young people who have offended are dealt with in Scotland through the Children's Hearings System. (The courts)
160.What do County Courts deal with?
- AAppeals from the Crown Court
- BA wide range of civil disputes
- CSerious criminal offences
- DYouth offending
County Courts deal with civil disputes including money owed, personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract and divorce. (The courts)
161.Where are more serious civil cases dealt with in Scotland?
- AThe High Court, before a judge and jury
- BThe Sheriff Court, before a sheriff
- CThe Court of Session in Edinburgh
- DA County Court, before a single judge
Bigger civil claims reach the High Court in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, and Edinburgh's Court of Session in Scotland. (The courts)
162.What is the small claims limit in England and Wales?
- ALess than £3,000
- BLess than £25,000
- CLess than £5,000
- DLess than £10,000
Small claims cover under £10,000 in England and Wales, and under £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. (The courts)
163.What is the small claims limit in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
- ALess than £10,000
- BLess than £1,000
- CLess than £5,000
- DLess than £3,000
Small claims cover under £10,000 in England and Wales, and under £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. (The courts)
164.What are solicitors?
- AMembers of the local community who decide verdicts
- BJudges in the County Court
- COfficials who prosecute criminal cases
- DTrained lawyers who advise on legal matters and represent clients in court
Advising on legal matters, acting for clients and appearing for them in court is the work of solicitors, who are trained lawyers. (The courts)
165.In which THREE documents do British rights have their roots?
- AMagna Carta, the Act of Union and the Human Rights Act
- BThe Quebec Act, Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights
- CThe Bill of Rights, the Reform Act and the Human Rights Act
- DMagna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act and the Bill of Rights
Three roots for British rights: Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act, and 1689's Bill of Rights. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
166.In which year did the UK sign the European Convention on Human Rights?
- A1998
- B1948
- C1689
- D1950
The UK was one of the first countries to sign the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
167.Which of these is a principle in the European Convention on Human Rights?
- AThe right to stand for Parliament
- BProhibition of torture
- CThe right to own property
- DThe right to free healthcare
Principles in the European Convention on Human Rights include the right to life and prohibition of torture. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
168.Which TWO are principles in the European Convention on Human Rights?
Choose two
- AThe right to a free education
- BThe right to a fair trial
- CFreedom of thought, conscience and religion
- DThe right to vote at 18
The European Convention on Human Rights includes the right to a fair trial and freedom of thought, conscience and religion. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
169.Which Act incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law?
- AThe Habeas Corpus Act 1679
- BThe Equality Act 2010
- CThe Bill of Rights 1689
- DThe Human Rights Act 1998
UK law absorbed the European Convention on Human Rights through the Human Rights Act 1998. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
170.On which grounds do UK laws prevent unfair treatment?
- ASex and race, but no other characteristic
- BReligion and belief, but no other characteristic
- CAge and disability, but no other characteristic
- DAge, disability, sex, race, religion, sexuality and marital status
Unfair treatment is barred on grounds of sex, age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexuality, marital status, and pregnancy and maternity. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
171.Who can be prosecuted for domestic violence in the UK?
- AOnly married partners, and not those who live together
- BOnly where the violence causes serious physical injury
- COnly men, and not women who are violent to a partner
- DAnyone violent towards their partner, whether married or living together
Anyone who is violent towards their partner, whether a man or a woman, married or living together, can be prosecuted. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
172.What are safe places for people facing domestic violence called?
- ASafe houses
- BHavens
- CSanctuaries
- DRefuges or shelters
Safe places for people facing domestic violence are called refuges or shelters. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
173.Is female genital mutilation legal in the UK?
- AOnly where it is carried out abroad rather than here
- BOnly where it is carried out with the consent of both parents
- CNo, and taking a girl or woman abroad for it is also a criminal offence
- DYes, where it is performed with medical consent
Practising female genital mutilation or taking a girl or woman abroad for it is a criminal offence. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
174.What is the difference between an arranged and a forced marriage?
- AThere is no legal difference
- BA forced marriage is arranged by the families; an arranged marriage is not
- CAn arranged marriage is illegal; a forced marriage is not
- DIn an arranged marriage both parties agree; in a forced marriage they do not consent
Where both parties agree to it, an arranged marriage is acceptable here. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
175.When were Forced Marriage Protection Orders introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- A2007
- B2008
- C2011
- D1998
England, Wales and Northern Ireland gained Forced Marriage Protection Orders in 2008. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
176.What can happen to someone who breaches a Forced Marriage Protection Order?
- AThey can be jailed for up to two years for contempt of court
- BThey receive a fine, but no other penalty
- CThey can be jailed for up to five years
- DThey are given a formal warning by the court
Breaching such an order can mean up to two years in jail for contempt of court. (Fundamental principles and equal opportunities)
177.Which government department collects taxes?
- AHM Revenue & Customs
- BThe Treasury
- CThe Department for Work and Pensions
- DThe Home Office
HM Revenue & Customs is the government department that collects taxes. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
178.What is the system called where an employer deducts income tax from your pay?
- APAYG
- BSelf-assessment
- CNational Insurance
- DPay As You Earn
The system by which employers take the right amount of income tax from employment income is called Pay As You Earn. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
179.How do self-employed people pay their income tax?
- AThrough Pay As You Earn
- BThrough the DVLA
- CThrough National Insurance
- DThrough self-assessment
Self-assessment, with a tax return to complete, is how the self-employed pay their own tax. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
180.What do National Insurance Contributions pay for?
- AEducation, policing and the fire service
- BLocal authority services such as refuse collection
- CState benefits and services such as the state pension and the NHS
- DRoads, the armed forces and foreign affairs
State benefits and services — the NHS, the state retirement pension — are funded from National Insurance Contributions. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
181.When are young people in the UK sent a National Insurance number?
- AJust before their 16th birthday
- BJust before their 18th birthday
- CWhen they register to vote
- DWhen they start their first job
Shortly before a young person's 16th birthday a National Insurance number arrives. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
182.What happens if you do not pay enough National Insurance Contributions?
- AYour rate of income tax increases to make up the difference
- BYou are fined by HM Revenue & Customs for the shortfall
- CYou cannot receive certain contributory benefits or a full state pension
- DYou lose your National Insurance number altogether
Fall short on contributions and certain contributory benefits go: a full state retirement pension, or Jobseeker's Allowance. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
183.What is the minimum age to drive a car in the UK?
- A17
- B18
- C16
- D21
Seventeen is the minimum age for driving a car or motor cycle here, and a licence is required. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
184.What is the minimum age to ride a moped in the UK?
- A17
- B18
- C15
- D16
Riding a moped starts at 16. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
185.Until what age can drivers use their driving licence before renewing every three years?
- A80
- B65
- C75
- D70
A licence runs to age 70, then needs renewing every three years. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
186.What must a newly qualified driver display in Northern Ireland?
- AAn ‘R’ plate
- BA green plate
- CA ‘P’ plate
- DAn ‘L’ plate
Northern Ireland requires an R plate from a newly qualified driver for the first year after passing. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
187.For how long may a licence from another country be used in the UK?
- AUp to 3 months
- BIndefinitely
- CUp to 24 months
- DUp to 12 months
A licence from another country may be used in the UK for up to 12 months. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
188.Where must a resident’s vehicle be registered?
- AThe local authority for the area you live in
- BHM Revenue & Customs, with your tax record
- CThe Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
- DThe Home Office, with your immigration record
Residents must register a car or motor cycle with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
189.When must a vehicle be taken for an MOT test every year?
- AWhen it is over one year old
- BWhen it is over ten years old
- CWhen it is over five years old
- DWhen it is over three years old
If a vehicle is over three years old it must be taken for an MOT test every year. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
190.Which TWO are shared values and responsibilities in the UK?
Choose two
- AServing in the armed forces
- BTreating others with fairness
- CJoining a political party
- DRespecting and preserving the environment
Shared values and responsibilities include obeying and respecting the law and treating others with fairness. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
191.What is the minimum age to be a school governor?
- A16
- B21
- C18
- D25
School governors must be 18 or over when elected or appointed, with no limit at the other end. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
192.Is there an upper age limit for school governors?
- AYes, 65
- BYes, 75
- CYes, 70
- DNo
School governors must be 18 or over when elected or appointed, with no limit at the other end. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
193.Which THREE are the key roles of school governors?
- ATeaching, marking and reporting
- BSetting strategic direction, ensuring accountability, and monitoring performance
- CHiring staff, setting fees and admitting pupils
- DInspecting schools, setting the curriculum and awarding grades
School governors have three key roles: setting the strategic direction of the school, ensuring accountability, and monitoring and evaluating school performance. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
194.What can you volunteer as with the police?
- AA Police and Crime Commissioner
- BA Chief Constable
- CA special constable
- DA police community support officer
Volunteering with the police can mean becoming a special constable, or a lay representative. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
195.About how long does giving blood take?
- AAbout an hour
- BA whole day
- CAbout three hours
- DAbout ten minutes
Giving blood only takes about an hour to do. (Taxation, driving and your role in the community)
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.