Life in the UK Test practice questions
Twenty questions from the app's bank, four from each chapter of the official handbook. The answer is marked and explained on every one.
These are practice questions written from the handbook, not questions from the real test — the real ones are not published. The app carries 914 of them.
Ten questions, answered now
Ten more from the app's bank, none of them repeated below. Choose an answer and the explanation appears. Nothing is saved, and there is no sign-up.
What was the name of the land ownership system employed by the Normans?
- The British Empire
- The Chartist Movement
- The Feudal System
- The Church
The Normans implemented a system of land ownership referred to as feudalism.
In 1913, the British government pledged 'Home Rule' for Ireland. What caused the delay in implementing these changes until 1921?
- The absence of a monarch on the British throne
- The onset of the First World War
- The eruption of the Black Death
- The beginning of the Second World War
The British government decided to postpone any alterations in Ireland due to the outbreak of the First World War.
Where in Northern Europe can you find the most well-preserved prehistoric village?
- Cardiff, the capital city of Wales
- Orkney, situated off the northern coast of Scotland
- Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland
- The Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of England
The best-preserved prehistoric village in Northern Europe is Skara Brae, located on the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland.
During which Islamic festival is it customary for Muslims to sacrifice an animal for consumption?
- Ramadan
- Vaisakhi
- Eid al-Fitr
- Eid ul Adha
During the celebration of Eid ul Adha, a significant number of Muslims observe the tradition of sacrificing an animal for a meal.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Edinburgh is the city where the Scottish Parliament meets.
- TRUE
- FALSE
Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is where the Scottish Parliament meets. This parliament was set up in 1999.
Is it correct that a number of Church of England bishops are members of the House of Lords?
- Correct
- Incorrect
The Church of England is the established church in England and is headed by the monarch. Its senior bishops and archbishops sit in the House of Lords.
In which of these places does the UK parliament sit?
- Whitehall
- Windsor
- Westminster
- Greenwich
The parliament that governs the UK sits in Westminster.
Which flag features a diagonal red cross on a white background?
- The cross of St David, the patron saint of Wales
- The cross of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland
- The cross of St George, the patron saint of England
- The cross of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland
The flag of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is distinguished by a diagonal red cross on a white background.
Which of the following statements is correct?
- Freedom of speech is something that only British citizens have in the UK.
- Freedom of speech is something that citizens and permanent residents have in the UK.
Citizens and permanent residents in the UK have many rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech.
Is it correct that the prohibition of thought, conscience, and religion is a principle included in the European Convention on Human Rights?
- Correct
- Incorrect
The European Convention on Human Rights upholds the principle of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
A long and illustrious history
In a 2002 public poll, who was named the most exceptional Briton in history?
- Isaac Newton
- Mo Farah
- Winston Churchill
- Alexander Fleming
Winston Churchill continues to be a highly respected figure, and in 2002, the public voted him as the greatest Briton of all time.
Which of the following nations was not a founding member of the European Economic Community in 1957?
- The UK
- West Germany
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands
In 1957, West Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands established the European Economic Community (EEC). Initially, the UK chose not to join but eventually became a member in 1973.
During which period did the UK Parliament enact legislation granting women equal pay and prohibiting gender-based discrimination by employers?
- The Enlightenment
- The Swinging Sixties
- The Suffrage Movement
- The Punk Movement
The Swinging Sixties was a period when Parliament introduced new laws that gave women the right to equal pay and made it unlawful for employers to discriminate against women based on their gender.
Who were the 'suffragettes'?
- The women who nursed soldiers in the Crimean War
- The women who fought to win the vote for women
- The women who campaigned to end the slave trade
- The women who wrote novels in the 19th century
The 'suffragettes' were members of the women's suffrage movement. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, more and more women took part in campaigns and demonstrations for women's rights, and above all for the right to vote.
A modern, thriving society
What is the duration of the Diwali festival?
- Five days
- A month
- 30 days
- A fortnight
The festival of Diwali typically occurs in October or November and spans a period of five days.
Which nation is credited with the invention of rugby?
- England
- Scotland
- Ireland
- Wales
The sport of rugby has its origins in England during the early 19th century and remains a widely followed sport in the UK today.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Across the UK, language varies a lot from place to place.
- TRUE
- FALSE
Language is not the same in all parts of the UK. English is spoken with many accents and dialects. Welsh is the language of many people in Wales. Some people in Northern Ireland speak Irish Gaelic, and in some parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, people speak Gaelic.
Which athlete secured a gold medal in the pentathlon at the 1972 Olympic Games?
- Dame Kelly Holmes
- Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
- Mary Peters
- Sir Ian Botham
Mary Peters, a gifted athlete, triumphed in the pentathlon at the 1972 Olympics, earning a gold medal.
The UK government, the law and your role
The Commonwealth association of countries supports which TWO of these values?
- The rule of law and censorship
- Military strength and democracy
- Censorship and military strength
- The rule of law and democracy
Democracy, good government and the rule of law are the core values on which the Commonwealth is based.
In Scotland, a jury is made up of how many people?
- 18
- 15
- 16
- 10
Scottish juries have 15 members. Juries in Northern Ireland, England and Wales have 12 members.
Which TWO of these are UK political parties?
- The Conservative Party and the Labour Party
- The Civil Service and the Labour Party
- The Conservative Party and the Confederation of British Industry
- The Civil Service and the Confederation of British Industry
The Conservative Party and the Labour Party are two of the UK's major political parties. The Liberal Democrats are another.
In the United Kingdom, which areas have their own devolved government?
- England, Scotland and Wales
- Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Scotland and Northern Ireland only
Central government has devolved some powers to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This gives people there more control over the things that have a direct effect on them.
What is the UK?
Is it correct that the capital of Northern Ireland is Swansea?
- Correct
- Incorrect
Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland.
Which of the following statements is correct?
- There is a separate parliament or assembly for each of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- There is a separate parliament or assembly for each of England, Scotland and Wales.
There is a separate parliament or assembly for each of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with devolved powers in certain areas.
Is it correct that Great Britain comprises only England, Scotland, and Wales, and does not include Northern Ireland?
- Correct
- Incorrect
This assertion is accurate.
Which of the following crosses is not included in the design of the Union Flag?
- The cross of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland
- The cross of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland
- The cross of St David, the patron saint of Wales
- The cross of St George, the patron saint of England
The cross of St David, representing the patron saint of Wales, is not part of the Union Flag. This is because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606 by combining the flags of Scotland and England, the Principality of Wales was already united with England.
The values and principles of the UK
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Fair treatment of other people is expected from everyone who lives in the UK.
- TRUE
- FALSE
Everyone living in the UK shares certain responsibilities and freedoms. One of these is treating others with fairness.
British life is based on some fundamental principles. Which of these is one of them?
- Absolute monarchy
- Compulsory voting
- State censorship
- Individual liberty
Individual liberty is one of the fundamental principles that British life is based on. Extremism and intolerance are not accepted in British society.
Which of the following options represents a core value of British society?
- Individual liberty
- Unfairness
- Authoritarianism
- Discrimination
The correct answer is Individual liberty.
Is it correct that UK laws protect individuals from unfair treatment in all aspects of life and work, based on factors such as age, disability, sex, pregnancy, race, religion, sexuality, or marital status?
- Correct
- Incorrect
UK law protects people from unfair treatment in every area of life and work. The grounds covered include age, disability, sex, pregnancy, race, religion, sexuality and marital status.
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