Life in the UK Test practice test 25
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All 24 questions and answers
1.What is the Prime Minister’s country house called?
- ASandringham
- B10 Downing Street
- CChequers
- DBalmoral
The Prime Minister has a country house outside London called Chequers. (The Prime Minister, the cabinet and the opposition)
2.Where is there no established Church?
- AIn Wales and Northern Ireland
- BIn England and Scotland
- CIn England and Wales
- DIn Scotland and Northern Ireland
There is no established Church in Wales or Northern Ireland. (Religion in the UK)
3.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)
4.In which year were men and women over 21 given the vote?
- A1928
- B1969
- C1832
- D1918
In 1928 the franchise was extended to men and women over 21. (The development of British democracy)
5.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)
6.What did the Normans do about Scotland?
- AThey took some border land but did not invade Scotland
- BThey conquered Scotland entirely
- CThey made a treaty of union with Scotland
- DThey left Scotland untouched
The Normans took over some land on the border between England and Scotland but did not invade Scotland. (The Norman Conquest)
7.Where was Anne Boleyn executed?
- AAt Windsor Castle
- BAt Westminster Abbey
- CAt the Tower of London
- DAt Hampton Court
Anne Boleyn was English and the mother of Elizabeth, and was executed at the Tower of London. (The six wives of Henry VIII)
8.Which TWO were nationalised by the post-war government?
Choose two
- AThe coal mines
- BThe banks
- CThe shipyards
- DThe railways
The post-war government nationalised the railways, coal mines and gas, water and electricity supplies. (Allied victory and post-war reform)
9.When do bank holidays fall?
- AOnly during the months of December and January
- BOnly at Easter and at Christmas in each year
- CAt the beginning of May, in late May or early June, and in August
- DOn each of the four patron saints’ days in turn
In 1605 Guy Fawkes and fellow Catholics planned to bomb the Houses of Parliament and kill the Protestant king, and failed — the origin of Bonfire Night. (Other festivals and bank holidays)
10.What must you take with you to the test?
- AYour copy of the official handbook
- BA recent passport photograph of yourself
- CTwo references as to your character
- DIdentification and proof of your address
You need to take identification and proof of your address to the test. (Taking the Life in the UK test)
11.What happened to Harold at the Battle of Hastings?
- AHe fled to Normandy
- BHe was killed in the battle
- CHe agreed to share the throne
- DHe was captured and imprisoned
The Battle of Hastings is commemorated in the Bayeux Tapestry, which can still be seen in France. (The Norman Conquest)
12.What was the UK population in 2017?
- AJust under 60 million
- BJust over 62 million
- CJust over 66 million
- D57 million
The population of the UK was just over 66 million in 2017. (Population and diversity)
13.What was the Battle of Britain?
- AA naval battle in the North Sea
- BThe crucial aerial battle against the Germans in the summer of 1940
- CA tank battle in North Africa
- DThe defence of London against invasion by sea
Summer 1940 brought the decisive aerial battle with the Germans, won by the British and called the Battle of Britain. (The Second World War)
14.What does it mean that the UK has a free press?
- ANewspapers may not be sued for libel
- BNewspapers receive no advertising revenue
- CWhat is written in newspapers is free from government control
- DNewspapers are distributed free of charge
The UK has a free press, which means that what is written in newspapers is free from government control. (Voting, standing for office and visiting Parliament)
15.Which parties formed the coalition government in 2010?
- AThe Conservatives and the Scottish National Party
- BLabour and the Liberal Democrats
- CThe Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats
- DThe Conservatives and Labour
The Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties formed a coalition in 2010 and David Cameron became Prime Minister. (The 1970s onwards, Thatcher, Blair and Brexit)
16.Which of these is a play by Shakespeare?
- AThe Canterbury Tales
- BThe Mousetrap
- CParadise Lost
- DMacbeth
Among Shakespeare's most famous plays: Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream. (Exploration, Shakespeare and James I)
17.Why are people in the UK living longer?
- AA warmer climate over recent decades
- BLower levels of employment and less stress at work
- CReduced migration into the United Kingdom
- DImproved living standards and better health care
People in the UK are living longer because of improved living standards and better health care. (Population and diversity)
18.Where was the first cashpoint put into use?
- AOldham
- BCambridge
- CEnfield, north London
- DCheshire
Enfield in north London saw the first cashpoint installed, by Barclays Bank, in 1967. (British inventions of the 20th century)
19.Which clan was late in taking the oath to William and was killed?
- AThe Stuarts of Appin
- BThe MacAlpins of Argyll
- CThe MacDonalds of Glencoe
- DThe Campbells of Glenorchy
The MacDonalds of Glencoe were late in taking the oath to accept William as king and were all killed. (A Catholic king and the Glorious Revolution)
20.What is a constitution?
- AA written list of citizens’ rights only
- BA set of principles by which a country is governed
- CThe body of laws passed by Parliament
- DThe rules governing elections
A country is governed by a set of principles, and that set is its constitution. (The British constitution)
21.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)
22.Which alliance was Britain part of in the First World War?
- AThe Triple Alliance
- BThe Central Powers
- CThe Axis powers
- DThe Allied Powers
Britain was part of the Allied Powers, which included France, Russia, Japan, Belgium and Serbia. (The First World War)
23.Who nominates non-party peers?
- AAn independent Appointments Commission
- BThe Speaker of the House of Commons
- CThe Prime Minister of the day
- DThe monarch, acting on her own initiative
Non-party peers are nominated by an independent Appointments Commission. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)
24.Which of Henry VIII’s wives was a German princess?
- ACatherine Howard
- BCatherine of Aragon
- CAnne of Cleves
- DJane Seymour
The six wives of Henry VIII were Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. (The six wives of Henry VIII)