Life in the UK Test practice test 24
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.Who is the head of the Church of England?
- AThe Archbishop of Canterbury
- BThe Moderator
- CThe Prime Minister
- DThe monarch
The monarch is the head of the Church of England. (Religion in the UK)
2.By what name is William, Duke of Normandy, known?
- AWilliam the Great
- BWilliam of Orange
- CWilliam the Conqueror
- DWilliam the Lion
William became king of England and is known as William the Conqueror. (The Norman Conquest)
3.Which province of Ireland were Protestants encouraged to settle?
- ALeinster
- BUlster
- CConnacht
- DMunster
Ulster, Ireland's northern province, was settled by Scottish and English Protestants at the English government's urging. (Ireland under Elizabeth I and James I)
4.Who was Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher?
- AGordon Brown
- BJohn Major
- CDavid Cameron
- DTony Blair
Following Mrs Thatcher came John Major, who helped set the Northern Ireland peace process going. (The 1970s onwards, Thatcher, Blair and Brexit)
5.How many members does the National Assembly for Wales have?
- A60
- B129
- C108
- D33
The National Assembly for Wales has 60 Assembly members, known as AMs. (Devolved administrations)
6.What is Skara Brae?
- AA Roman fort standing on Hadrian’s Wall
- BAn Iron Age hill fort in the county of Dorset
- CThe best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe
- DA Bronze Age burial mound in Wiltshire
Skara Brae on Orkney is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe. (Early Britain)
7.Whose grandson was Bonnie Prince Charlie?
- AWilliam III
- BGeorge I
- CCharles II
- DJames II
Bonnie Prince Charlie was the grandson of James II. (The rebellion of the clans and the Enlightenment)
8.Which two houses fought the Wars of the Roses?
- AThe House of Normandy and the House of Plantagenet
- BThe House of Lancaster and the House of York
- CThe House of York and the House of Windsor
- DThe House of Tudor and the House of Stuart
The Wars of the Roses was fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York. (A distinct identity and the Wars of the Roses)
9.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)
10.Which extra day is a public holiday in Scotland at New Year?
- A30 December
- B2 January
- C3 January
- D31 December
Hogmanay is Scotland's name for 31 December, and 2 January is a public holiday there too. (Other festivals and bank holidays)
11.Who became king when Charles II died in 1685?
- AHis brother James
- BWilliam of Orange
- CHis son Charles
- DHis daughter Mary
Charles II died in 1685 and his Roman Catholic brother became King James II. (A Catholic king and the Glorious Revolution)
12.For how long do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
- AA week
- BForty days
- CA month
- DThree months
A month of Muslim fasting, Ramadan, is brought to a close by Eid al-Fitr. (Other religious festivals)
13.Who founded the National Trust in 1895?
- AThree volunteers
- BTwo Members of Parliament
- CSix landowners
- DFour industrialists
The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three volunteers. (Arts, culture and leisure)
14.Where did Sir Bernard Lovell build his radio telescope?
- AEdinburgh
- BGreenwich in London
- CJodrell Bank in Cheshire
- DCambridge University
Sir Bernard Lovell built the radio telescope at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire, which was for many years the biggest in the world. (British inventions of the 20th century)
15.Which of Henry VIII’s wives survived him?
- AAnne Boleyn
- BCatherine Howard
- CJane Seymour
- DCatherine Parr
Catherine Parr was a widow who married Henry VIII late in his life and survived him. (The six wives of Henry VIII)
16.What did Isaac Newton show in his most famous work?
- AThe structure of DNA
- BHow gravity applied to the whole universe
- CThat the earth goes round the sun
- DHow to split the atom
Isaac Newton was born in Lincolnshire and his most famous published work was Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. (The Restoration)
17.On what date is April Fool’s Day?
- A14 February
- B1 April
- C5 November
- D1 May
April Fool's Day is 1 April, when people play jokes on each other until midday. (Other festivals and bank holidays)
18.In which year was the National Trust founded?
- A1984
- B1895
- C1927
- D1952
The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three volunteers. (Arts, culture and leisure)
19.On what grounds must men and women not be discriminated against?
- ATheir place of birth or their nationality
- BTheir gender, or whether they are married
- CTheir age, or the level of their income
- DTheir level of education and qualifications
Discrimination on grounds of gender, or of being married or unmarried, is barred by law for men and women alike. (An equal society)
20.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)
21.Which TWO areas remain under central UK government control?
Choose two
- ADefence
- BForeign affairs
- CEducation
- DHealth
Policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security remain under central UK government control. (Devolved administrations)
22.What will you NOT be asked to remember?
- ADates of birth or death
- BThe date of the Battle of Hastings
- CThe capital cities of the UK
- DThe names of the patron saints
You will not need to remember dates of birth or death. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
23.Which king united the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and defeated the Vikings?
- AHarold
- BKenneth MacAlpin
- CCnut
- DAlfred the Great
Alfred the Great united England's Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and beat the Vikings. (The Vikings)
24.Which flower is associated with England?
- AThe thistle
- BThe rose
- CThe daffodil
- DThe shamrock
The flower associated with England is the rose. (Patron saints)