Life in the UK Test practice test 19
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.What kind of Church is the Church of Scotland?
- AAnglican
- BPresbyterian
- CMethodist
- DRoman Catholic
Scotland's national Church, the Church of Scotland, is Presbyterian, run by ministers and elders. (Religion in the UK)
2.Which of these is a fundamental principle of British life?
- AMandatory voting
- BA single state religion
- CCompulsory military service
- DThe rule of law
The fundamental principles of British life include democracy and the rule of law. (The fundamental principles of British life)
3.What is the judiciary?
- ALocal government
- BThe courts
- CThe civil service
- DThe police
The main parts of government in the UK are the monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the judiciary, the police, the civil service and local government. (The British constitution)
4.Which Scottish thinker developed ideas about economics?
- AJames Watt
- BAdam Smith
- CRobert Burns
- DDavid Hume
Adam Smith developed ideas about economics which are still referred to today. (The rebellion of the clans and the Enlightenment)
5.Where did Charles II famously hide after the Battle of Worcester?
- AIn a cave in Scotland
- BIn a church tower
- CIn an oak tree
- DOn a fishing boat
Charles II escaped from Worcester, famously hiding in an oak tree, and eventually fled to Europe. (Cromwell and the English republic)
6.In which year was Charles I executed?
- A1646
- B1649
- C1660
- D1642
Charles I was executed in 1649. (Cromwell and the English republic)
7.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)
8.What are peers whose title cannot be inherited by their children called?
- ACrossbench peers
- BLords Spiritual
- CLife peers
- DHereditary peers
Nomination of peers for their lifetime alone — life peers — has been the Prime Minister's power since 1958. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
9.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)
10.What is the capital city of Northern Ireland?
- ADublin
- BArmagh
- CBelfast
- DLondonderry
Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. (Capital cities and geography)
11.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)
12.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)
13.What is the official home of the Prime Minister?
- AThe Palace of Westminster
- B10 Downing Street
- CBuckingham Palace
- DChequers
10 Downing Street, in central London, is the Prime Minister's official home. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
14.Which traditional food is associated with Northern Ireland?
- AThe Ulster fry
- BRoast beef
- CWelsh cakes
- DHaggis
Northern Ireland's Ulster fry combines bacon, eggs, sausage, black and white pudding, mushrooms, tomatoes, soda bread and potato bread. (Money, languages and traditional food)
15.Which king did the people in the north unite under?
- AAlfred the Great
- BRobert the Bruce
- CCnut
- DKenneth MacAlpin
In the north the threat of Viking attack encouraged the people to unite under one king, Kenneth MacAlpin. (The Vikings)
16.Who were the Picts?
- AA Roman legion stationed in Britain
- BTribes from northern Europe
- CEarly Christian missionaries
- DAncestors of the Scottish people
The Picts were the ancestors of the Scottish people. (The Romans)
17.What is the official name of the country?
- AThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- BThe Commonwealth of Great Britain
- CThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- DThe British Isles
Officially the country is named the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (The countries of the UK)
18.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)
19.On average, who leaves school with better qualifications?
- ABoys
- BGirls
- CNeither — the results are equal
- DIt varies by region
On average, girls leave school with better qualifications than boys. (An equal society)
20.Whose opinions are residents expected to respect?
- AOther people’s, including their right to their own opinions
- BOnly the opinions of elected representatives
- COnly opinions held by a majority of people
- DOnly opinions expressed openly in Parliament
Residents should respect the rights of others, including their right to their own opinions. (Responsibilities and freedoms)
21.What commemorates the Battle of Hastings?
- AThe Cenotaph
- BThe Bayeux Tapestry
- CNelson’s Column
- DThe Domesday Book
The Battle of Hastings is commemorated in the Bayeux Tapestry, which can still be seen in France. (The Norman Conquest)
22.When is Father’s Day?
- AThe third Sunday in June
- BThe first Sunday in June
- CThe last Sunday in June
- DThe Sunday three weeks before Easter
Father's Day is the third Sunday in June. (Other festivals and bank holidays)
23.Which TWO faiths celebrate Diwali?
Choose two
- ASikhs
- BMuslims
- CHindus
- DJews
Diwali is often called the Festival of Lights and is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. (Other religious festivals)
24.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)