Life in the UK Test practice test 14
24 questions, no clock, with the answer explained as you go. Use the timed exams when you want to know if you are ready.
Free to read, always
All 24 questions and answers
Every question here was checked by hand against Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). How we check
1.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)
2.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)
3.Who led the scientists who were first to split the atom?
- ASir Frank Whittle
- BErnest Rutherford
- CAlexander Fleming
- DFrancis Crick
First to split the atom were scientists under New-Zealand-born Ernest Rutherford, at Manchester and later Cambridge. (Allied victory and post-war reform)
4.What is the biggest part of the Edinburgh Festival?
- AThe Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- BThe National Eisteddfod
- CThe Laurence Olivier Awards
- DThe Proms
The biggest and most well-known part of the Edinburgh Festival is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. (Arts, culture and leisure)
5.Who was the first person in England to print books using a printing press?
- ASir Christopher Wren
- BGeoffrey Chaucer
- CWilliam Caxton
- DJohn Barbour
William Caxton was the first person in England to print books using a printing press. (A distinct identity and the Wars of the Roses)
6.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)
7.Which Prime Minister helped establish the Northern Ireland peace process?
- AHarold Macmillan
- BJohn Major
- CClement Attlee
- DMargaret Thatcher
Following Mrs Thatcher came John Major, who helped set the Northern Ireland peace process going. (The 1970s onwards, Thatcher, Blair and Brexit)
8.In which year was slavery abolished throughout the British Empire?
- A1846
- B1833
- C1807
- D1867
In 1833 the Emancipation Act abolished slavery throughout the British Empire. (The slave trade and its abolition)
9.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)
10.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)
11.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)
12.For how many days does Diwali last?
- AThree
- BFive
- COne
- DEight
Diwali normally falls in October or November and lasts for five days. (Other religious festivals)
13.What is 31 December called in Scotland?
- AHogmanay
- BTwelfth Night
- CSt Andrew’s Night
- DBurns Night
Hogmanay is Scotland's name for 31 December, and 2 January is a public holiday there too. (Other festivals and bank holidays)
14.Who was Boudicca?
- AA Pictish leader in Scotland
- BAn Anglo-Saxon queen of Northumbria
- CThe queen of the Iceni who fought the Romans
- DA Roman emperor who invaded Britain
Boudicca was the queen of the Iceni in what is now eastern England and fought against the Romans. (The Romans)
15.Who became Prime Minister in 1945?
- AHarold Macmillan
- BWinston Churchill
- CAneurin Bevan
- DClement Attlee
In 1945 the British people elected a Labour government and Clement Attlee became Prime Minister. (Allied victory and post-war reform)
16.What were Bronze Age tombs called?
- AHill forts
- BRoundhouses
- CCairns
- DRound barrows
Bronze Age homes were roundhouses, and the dead went into tombs called round barrows. (Early Britain)
17.How was Wales formally united with England?
- ABy the Act of Settlement
- BBy the Treaty of Union
- CBy the Act for the Government of Wales
- DBy the Statute of Rhuddlan
Wales became formally united with England during the reign of Henry VIII by the Act for the Government of Wales. (Henry VIII and the Reformation)
18.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)
19.Under feudalism, what did the king give land to his lords in return for?
- ALoyalty to the Church
- BPayment of taxes
- CService at court
- DHelp in war
Land came to lords from the king under feudalism, the return being help in war. (Feudalism and the Black Death)
20.In which year did Adolf Hitler come to power in Germany?
- A1939
- B1933
- C1940
- D1929
Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933. (The Second World War)
21.What was the UK population in 1901?
- A40 million
- B8 million
- C50 million
- D20 million
The population of the UK was 40 million in 1901 and 50 million in 1951. (Population and diversity)
22.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)
23.Who was employed to replace the freed slaves after 1833?
- A2 million Indian and Chinese workers
- BIrish and Scottish labourers
- CFreed slaves on paid contracts
- DConvicts transported from Britain
Freed slaves were replaced after 1833 by 2 million Indian and Chinese workers. (The slave trade and its abolition)
24.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)