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A long and illustrious history questions
There are 415 a long and illustrious history 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.
251.What happened to Admiral Nelson at Trafalgar?
- AHe was wounded but survived
- BHe was killed in the battle
- CHe commanded from Portsmouth
- DHe was taken prisoner
Command of the British fleet at Trafalgar belonged to Admiral Nelson, who died in the battle. (The American War of Independence and war with France)
252.Where is Nelson’s Column?
- AGreenwich, London
- BTrafalgar Square, London
- CPortsmouth Harbour
- DWhitehall, London
Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London, is a monument to Admiral Nelson. (The American War of Independence and war with France)
253.Where can Nelson’s ship HMS Victory be visited?
- APortsmouth
- BPlymouth
- CLiverpool
- DGreenwich
Nelson's ship HMS Victory can be visited in Portsmouth. (The American War of Independence and war with France)
254.Who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo?
- ASir Robert Walpole
- BThe Duke of Wellington
- CAdmiral Nelson
- DGeorge III
Waterloo in 1815 closed the French Wars, the Duke of Wellington defeating the Emperor Napoleon. (The American War of Independence and war with France)
255.In which year was the Battle of Waterloo?
- A1805
- B1783
- C1789
- D1815
Waterloo in 1815 closed the French Wars, the Duke of Wellington defeating the Emperor Napoleon. (The American War of Independence and war with France)
256.By what nickname was the Duke of Wellington known?
- AThe Iron Duke
- BThe Victor of Trafalgar
- CThe Great Commoner
- DThe Bard
The Duke of Wellington was known as the Iron Duke and later became Prime Minister. (The American War of Independence and war with France)
257.What did the Act of Union of 1800 create?
- AThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- BThe Irish Free State
- CThe Kingdom of Great Britain
- DThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The Act of Union of 1800 created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. (The Union Flag)
258.In which year did Ireland become unified with England, Scotland and Wales?
- A1922
- B1707
- C1800
- D1801
Following the Act of Union of 1800, Ireland joined England, Scotland and Wales from 1801. (The Union Flag)
259.How many crosses make up the Union Flag?
- AThree
- BFour
- COne
- DTwo
The Union Flag is often called the Union Jack and is still the official flag of the UK. (The Union Flag)
260.What does the cross of St George look like?
- AA diagonal white cross on a blue ground
- BA red cross on a white ground
- CA diagonal red cross on a white ground
- DA red dragon on a green ground
England's St George brings a red cross on white ground. (The Union Flag)
261.What does the cross of St Andrew look like?
- AA diagonal white cross on a blue ground
- BA red cross on a white ground
- CA diagonal red cross on a white ground
- DA white cross on a red ground
Scotland's St Andrew brings a diagonal white cross on blue ground. (The Union Flag)
262.What does the cross of St Patrick look like?
- AA red cross on a white ground
- BA green cross on a white ground
- CA diagonal red cross on a white ground
- DA diagonal white cross on a blue ground
Ireland's St Patrick brings a diagonal red cross on white ground. (The Union Flag)
263.Why is Wales not represented on the Union Flag?
- AWales did not become part of the United Kingdom until 1801
- BWales chose to keep its own dragon flag flying separately
- CThe Welsh dragon was thought too difficult a shape to draw
- DWales was already united with England when the first Union Flag was created
Wales is absent from the Union Flag because the Principality had already joined England by 1606, when the first version was made. (The Union Flag)
264.In which year was the first Union Flag created?
- A1801
- B1800
- C1707
- D1606
Wales is absent from the Union Flag because the Principality had already joined England by 1606, when the first version was made. (The Union Flag)
265.What does the official Welsh flag show?
- AA red cross
- BA daffodil
- CA Welsh dragon
- DA white diagonal cross
There is an official Welsh flag which shows a Welsh dragon. (The Union Flag)
266.Which TWO crosses were combined to make the first Union Flag in 1606?
Choose two
- AThe cross of St George
- BThe Welsh dragon
- CThe cross of St Andrew
- DThe cross of St Patrick
Scotland's and England's flags were combined into the first Union Flag in 1606. (The Union Flag)
267.In which year did Queen Victoria become queen?
- A1851
- B1801
- C1837
- D1901
Aged 18, Victoria took the throne of the UK in 1837. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
268.At what age did Queen Victoria become queen?
- A18
- B21
- C16
- D25
Aged 18, Victoria took the throne of the UK in 1837. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
269.For roughly how long did Queen Victoria reign?
- AAlmost 44 years
- BAlmost 24 years
- CAlmost 64 years
- DAlmost 74 years
Queen Victoria reigned until 1901, almost 64 years. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
270.What was the estimated population of the British Empire at its height?
- AMore than 40 million
- BMore than 400 million
- CMore than 100 million
- DMore than 4 billion
The British Empire had an estimated population of more than 400 million people. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
271.How many British citizens left the country between 1853 and 1913?
- AAbout 40 million
- BAbout 1 million
- CAs many as 13 million
- DAbout 120,000
Emigration between 1853 and 1913 took as many as 13 million British citizens overseas. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
272.Roughly how many Russian and Polish Jews came to Britain between 1870 and 1914?
- AAround 13 million
- BAround 400,000
- CAround 1,200
- DAround 120,000
Persecution drove around 120,000 Russian and Polish Jews to Britain between 1870 and 1914. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
273.Where did many Russian and Polish Jewish immigrants settle?
- ALiverpool, Glasgow and Belfast
- BCardiff, Swansea and Newport
- CBirmingham, Bristol and Plymouth
- DLondon’s East End, Manchester and Leeds
Many Russian and Polish Jews settled in London's East End and in Manchester and Leeds. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
274.Whom did Britain fight in the Boer War?
- ASettlers from the Netherlands in South Africa
- BThe French in Canada
- CThe Ottoman Empire in Egypt
- DThe Zulu kingdom in southern Africa
The Boer War of 1899 to 1902 was fought in South Africa against settlers from the Netherlands called the Boers. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
275.When was the Boer War fought?
- A1837 to 1901
- B1914 to 1918
- C1853 to 1856
- D1899 to 1902
The Boer War of 1899 to 1902 was fought in South Africa against settlers from the Netherlands called the Boers. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
276.Which writer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907?
- ARudyard Kipling
- BHarold Pinter
- CSir William Golding
- DSeamus Heaney
Rudyard Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907. (The Victorian Age and the British Empire)
277.In which year were the Corn Laws repealed?
- A1851
- B1832
- C1846
- D1847
The Corn Laws, which had prevented the import of cheap grain, were repealed in 1846. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
278.What had the Corn Laws prevented?
- AThe import of cotton cloth
- BThe sale of grain to Ireland
- CThe export of British wool
- DThe import of cheap grain
The Corn Laws, which had prevented the import of cheap grain, were repealed in 1846. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
279.What did the 1847 law limit for women and children?
- AThe industries they could work in
- BTheir wages
- CTheir working hours, to 10 per day
- DThe age at which they could start work
A legal cap of 10 hours a day on the work of women and children arrived in 1847. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
280.Who pioneered the railway engine?
- AJames Watt
- BGeorge and Robert Stephenson
- CRichard Arkwright
- DIsambard Kingdom Brunel
George and Robert Stephenson, father and son, pioneered the railway engine. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
281.Which railway did Isambard Kingdom Brunel construct?
- AThe London and Birmingham Railway
- BThe Caledonian Railway
- CThe Stockton and Darlington Railway
- DThe Great Western Railway
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was responsible for constructing the Great Western Railway, the first major railway built in Britain. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
282.Where does the Great Western Railway run from?
- APaddington Station in London
- BBristol Temple Meads
- CKing’s Cross Station in London
- DEuston Station in London
From Paddington the Great Western Railway runs to Wales, the West Midlands and England's south west. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
283.Which bridge designed by Brunel spans the Avon Gorge?
- AThe Clifton Suspension Bridge
- BThe Forth Bridge
- CThe Menai Bridge
- DTower Bridge
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an engineer who built tunnels, bridges, railway lines and ships. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
284.What did the UK produce more than half of the world’s supply of in the 19th century?
- AShips, railways and machinery
- BSugar, tobacco and tea
- CIron, coal and cotton cloth
- DSteel, wool and grain
Over half the world's iron, coal and cotton cloth came from the 19th-century UK. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
285.Where was the Great Exhibition of 1851 held?
- AAt the Royal Albert Hall
- BAt the Tower of London
- CIn Trafalgar Square
- DIn the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park
Hyde Park held the Great Exhibition of 1851, staged inside the Crystal Palace — iron and glass on a huge scale. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
286.What was the Crystal Palace made of?
- AConcrete and glass
- BIron and glass
- CBrick and steel
- DStone and timber
Hyde Park held the Great Exhibition of 1851, staged inside the Crystal Palace — iron and glass on a huge scale. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
287.Who did Britain fight against in the Crimean War?
- ARussia
- BFrance
- CTurkey
- DThe Boers
Russia was the enemy in the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856, with Britain alongside Turkey and France. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
288.When was the Crimean War?
- A1853 to 1856
- B1846 to 1851
- C1899 to 1902
- D1914 to 1918
Russia was the enemy in the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856, with Britain alongside Turkey and France. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
289.What was notable about the media coverage of the Crimean War?
- AIt was the first war to be filmed for showing in cinemas
- BIt was the first war to be broadcast live on the radio
- CIt was the first war reported home to Britain by telegraph
- DIt was the first war extensively covered by news stories and photographs
News stories and photographs covered the Crimean War at length, a first for any conflict. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
290.Which medal did Queen Victoria introduce during the Crimean War?
- AThe Victoria Cross
- BThe Order of the Bath
- CThe George Cross
- DThe Distinguished Service Order
Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross medal during the Crimean War, which honours acts of valour by soldiers. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
291.What does the Victoria Cross honour?
- AContributions to medicine
- BActs of valour by soldiers
- CService to the Crown
- DLong service in the armed forces
Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross medal during the Crimean War, which honours acts of valour by soldiers. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
292.Where was Florence Nightingale born?
- AEngland
- BTurkey
- CItaly
- DGermany
Florence Nightingale was born in Italy to English parents and trained as a nurse in Germany at the age of 31. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
293.What did Florence Nightingale establish in 1860?
- AThe Nightingale Training School for nurses at St Thomas’ Hospital
- BThe British Red Cross for wartime nursing
- CThe first military hospital in Turkey at Scutari
- DThe Royal College of Nursing for trained nurses
St Thomas' Hospital in London housed the Nightingale Training School for nurses, established in 1860. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
294.What is Florence Nightingale often regarded as?
- AThe first woman MP
- BThe founder of modern nursing
- CThe founder of the Victoria Cross
- DThe first female doctor in Britain
Florence Nightingale is often regarded as the founder of modern nursing. (Victorian trade, industry and the Crimean War)
295.What happened in Ireland in the middle of the 19th century?
- AThe potato crop failed and Ireland suffered a famine
- BIreland was granted Home Rule and its own parliament
- CIreland was partitioned into North and South
- DThe Irish Parliament in Dublin was abolished
In the middle of the 19th century the potato crop failed and Ireland suffered a famine. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)
296.How many people died in the Irish famine?
- ATwo million
- BA hundred thousand
- CA million
- DHalf a million
A million people died from disease and starvation in the Irish famine and another million and a half left Ireland. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)
297.Which group favoured complete independence for Ireland?
- AThe Fenians
- BThe suffragettes
- CThe Home Rulers
- DThe Chartists
The Fenians favoured complete independence for Ireland. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)
298.Who advocated Home Rule for Ireland?
- AClement Attlee
- BEmmeline Pankhurst
- CWilliam Wilberforce
- DCharles Stuart Parnell
Home Rule, argued for by Charles Stuart Parnell, would have given Ireland its own parliament inside the UK. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)
299.What was Home Rule?
- AComplete independence for Ireland
- BDirect rule from Westminster
- CThe partition of Ireland into two countries
- DIreland remaining in the UK but having its own parliament
Home Rule, argued for by Charles Stuart Parnell, would have given Ireland its own parliament inside the UK. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)
300.What did the Reform Act of 1832 abolish?
- AThe pocket and rotten boroughs
- BThe House of Lords’ veto
- CThe property requirement for voting
- DThe Corn Laws
The Reform Act of 1832 greatly increased the number of people with the right to vote and abolished the old pocket and rotten boroughs. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)
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 415 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.