Life in the UK Test practice test 5
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
Every question here was checked by hand against Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). How we check
1.Which title did Henry VIII take in relation to Ireland?
- ALord Lieutenant of Ireland
- BProtector of Ireland
- CKing of Ireland
- DGovernor of the Pale
Henry VIII took the title King of Ireland. (Ireland under Elizabeth I and James I)
2.On what date is St Patrick’s Day?
- A23 April
- B30 November
- C17 March
- D1 March
St Patrick's Day, for Northern Ireland, is 17 March. (Patron saints)
3.By what name is the Normandy landing often referred to?
- AD-Day
- BThe Dunkirk evacuation
- CThe Battle of Britain
- DThe Blitz
On 6 June 1944 allied forces landed in Normandy, an event often referred to as D-Day. (Allied victory and post-war reform)
4.Which four countries make up the UK?
- AEngland, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
- BEngland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
- CEngland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands
- DEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (The countries of the UK)
5.Where is an accused person aged 10 to 17 normally heard in England and Wales?
- AA Youth Court
- BA Crown Court
- CA County Court
- DA Magistrates’ Court
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland an accused person aged 10 to 17 is normally heard in a Youth Court. (The courts)
6.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)
7.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)
8.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)
9.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)
10.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)
11.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)
12.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)
13.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)
14.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)
15.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)
16.In which year was Magna Carta agreed?
- A1215
- B1284
- C1689
- D1066
Magna Carta was agreed in 1215. (Magna Carta and the rise of Parliament)
17.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)
18.What do County Courts deal with?
- AAppeals from the Crown Court
- BA wide range of civil disputes
- CSerious criminal offences
- DYouth offending
County Courts deal with civil disputes including money owed, personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract and divorce. (The courts)
19.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)
20.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)
21.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)
22.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)
23.Who founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903?
- AMargaret Thatcher
- BEmmeline Pankhurst
- CMary Peters
- DFlorence Nightingale
In 1903 Emmeline Pankhurst helped found the Women's Social and Political Union, the first group whose members were called suffragettes. (Ireland in the 19th century and the right to vote)
24.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)