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Life in the UK Test

Life in the UK Test practice test 39

24 questions, no clock, with the answer explained as you go. Use the timed exams when you want to know if you are ready.

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All 24 questions and answers

  1. 1.What were all peers until 1958?

    • AHereditary, senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England
    • BNominated by an independent Appointments Commission
    • CElected by the other peers of the realm
    • DAppointed for life by the Prime Minister

    Until 1958 all peers were hereditary, or senior judges, or bishops of the Church of England. (The House of Commons and the House of Lords)

  2. 2.Which king introduced the Statute of Rhuddlan?

    • AHenry V
    • BRichard III
    • CEdward I
    • DHenry VIII

    Wales was annexed to the Crown of England by Edward I's Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284. (The Middle Ages: war at home and abroad)

  3. 3.Who is the spiritual leader of the Church of England?

    • AThe Archbishop of Canterbury
    • BThe Moderator
    • CThe monarch
    • DThe Pope

    Spiritual leadership of the Church of England belongs to the Archbishop of Canterbury. (Religion in the UK)

  4. 4.In which year was the Battle of Culloden?

    • A1715
    • B1745
    • C1746
    • D1707

    Culloden in 1746 was where George II's army beat Bonnie Prince Charlie. (The rebellion of the clans and the Enlightenment)

  5. 5.Why was George I chosen as king in 1714?

    • AHe was elected by Parliament from several candidates
    • BHe was Queen Anne’s nearest Protestant relative
    • CHe was Charles II’s legitimate heir
    • DHe was the son of Queen Anne

    When Queen Anne died in 1714 Parliament chose George I to be the next king because he was her nearest Protestant relative. (The Act of Union and the first Prime Minister)

  6. 6.What is a local ‘surgery’?

    • AA committee of the House of Commons
    • BA medical service provided by the local authority
    • CA meeting of the local party branch
    • DA session where constituents can talk to their representative in person

    Local surgeries are held regularly by many MPs, MSPs and Assembly members, so constituents can talk to them face to face. (The Speaker and elections)

  7. 7.In how many areas can the National Assembly for Wales make laws?

    • A31
    • B12
    • C60
    • D21

    The National Assembly for Wales has the power to make laws for Wales in 21 areas. (Devolved administrations)

  8. 8.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)

  9. 9.Who makes decisions on government policies?

    • AThe monarch, advised by the Privy Council
    • BThe civil service, headed by its ministers
    • CThe House of Lords, checking the Commons
    • DThe Prime Minister and cabinet

    Decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet. (The monarchy)

  10. 10.On what date did the UK formally leave the European Union?

    • A23 June 2016
    • B24 July 2019
    • C31 January 2020
    • D13 July 2016

    The UK formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020. (The 1970s onwards, Thatcher, Blair and Brexit)

  11. 11.In which year was Magna Carta agreed?

    • A1215
    • B1284
    • C1689
    • D1066

    Magna Carta was agreed in 1215. (Magna Carta and the rise of Parliament)

  12. 12.In which English county does Stonehenge stand?

    • ADorset
    • BSuffolk
    • COrkney
    • DWiltshire

    Stonehenge in Wiltshire was probably a special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies. (Early Britain)

  13. 13.What do County Courts deal with?

    • AAppeals from the Crown Court
    • BA wide range of civil disputes
    • CSerious criminal offences
    • DYouth offending

    Scotland's serious cases go to a Sheriff Court, before a sheriff alone or a sheriff with a jury. (The courts)

  14. 14.Which traditional food is associated with Scotland?

    • AHaggis
    • BFish and chips
    • CThe Ulster fry
    • DWelsh cakes

    Haggis is a traditional Scottish food, a sheep's stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal. (Money, languages and traditional food)

  15. 15.What is the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament called?

    • AElizabeth Tower
    • BSt Stephen’s Tower
    • CThe Peace Tower
    • DVictoria Tower

    Elizabeth Tower is the name given to the clock tower, honouring the 2012 Diamond Jubilee. (Landmarks and places of interest)

  16. 16.Which Act introduced free secondary education in England and Wales?

    • AThe National Insurance Act 1948
    • BThe Beveridge Act 1942
    • CThe Education Act 1944
    • DThe Butler Reform Act 1947

    The Education Act 1944, often called the Butler Act, introduced free secondary education in England and Wales. (Allied victory and post-war reform)

  17. 17.In which year did William of Orange invade England?

    • A1690
    • B1688
    • C1689
    • D1685

    In 1688 important Protestants in England asked William of Orange to invade England and proclaim himself king. (A Catholic king and the Glorious Revolution)

  18. 18.Who founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903?

    • AMargaret Thatcher
    • BEmmeline Pankhurst
    • CMary Peters
    • DFlorence Nightingale

    Emmeline Pankhurst was born in Manchester in 1858 and set up the Women's Franchise League in 1889. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)

  19. 19.Where is there a statue of Boudicca?

    • AIn Trafalgar Square
    • BAt the Tower of London
    • CAt Hadrian’s Wall
    • DOn Westminster Bridge in London

    There is a statue of Boudicca on Westminster Bridge in London. (The Romans)

  20. 20.Who was Britain’s first woman Prime Minister?

    • AEmmeline Pankhurst
    • BTheresa May
    • CMargaret Thatcher
    • DMary Peters

    Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first woman Prime Minister and led the Conservative government from 1979 to 1990. (The 1970s onwards, Thatcher, Blair and Brexit)

  21. 21.Which language, completely different from English, is spoken in Wales?

    • AWelsh
    • BCornish
    • CIrish Gaelic
    • DGaelic

    In Wales many people speak Welsh, a completely different language from English, taught in schools and universities. (Money, languages and traditional food)

  22. 22.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)

  23. 23.Where are serious offences tried in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

    • AThe High Court, before a judge and jury
    • BA County Court, before a judge sitting alone
    • CA Magistrates’ Court, before three magistrates
    • DA Crown Court, before a judge and jury

    Murder and the gravest Scottish cases go to a High Court, before a judge sitting with a jury. (The courts)

  24. 24.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)

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