Free Life in the UK mock test 7: 24 questions, 18 right to pass (75%), 45 minutes, as in the real Life in the UK test (GOV.UK). How many can you get wrong?
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Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role
What is democracy?
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Life in the UK test questions and answers: mock test 7
Life in the UK mock test, free and with no account: 10 full mock tests are open to everyone. Next: Life in the UK test: free mock test 8.
Answers and explanations (text version)
All 24 questions in this mock test, each with the right answer, the reason, and where it is in Handbook. Try the test first.
Question 1. What is democracy?
- A. Government in which all adults have a say
- B. Rule by a single royal family
- C. Rule by the generals who lead the armed forces
- D. Government by the national Church
Answer: A. Government in which all adults have a say
In a democracy the whole adult population has a voice, either voting directly or choosing representatives.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The development of British democracy)
Question 2. Which film did Carol Reed direct?
- A. Chariots of Fire
- B. The Third Man
- C. Women in Love
- D. The Killing Fields
Answer: B. The Third Man
Carol Reed directed The Third Man in 1949.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Leisure)
Question 3. Who was the first Prime Minister?
- A. Sir Robert Walpole
- B. The Duke of Wellington
- C. William Pitt
- D. Oliver Cromwell
Answer: A. Sir Robert Walpole
Sir Robert Walpole was the first person to be called Prime Minister.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (A global power)
Question 4. How did judges in England develop 'common law'?
- A. By copying the laws of Rome
- B. By following earlier decisions and tradition
- C. By asking Parliament to vote on each case
- D. By writing every law down in one code
Answer: B. By following earlier decisions and tradition
English judges built up common law by following previous decisions (precedence) and tradition. In Scotland, laws were written down instead.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The Middle Ages)
Question 5. Choose two. Which TWO things made the Industrial Revolution possible?
- A. Electric lighting
- B. New machinery
- C. Steam power
- D. Computers
Answer: B and C. New machinery; Steam power
The Industrial Revolution came about through the development of machines and the use of steam power.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (A global power)
Question 6. Which missionary became the first Archbishop of Canterbury?
- A. St Patrick
- B. St Columba
- C. St Augustine
- D. St David
Answer: C. St Augustine
St Augustine came from Rome with other missionaries, and he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Early Britain)
Question 7. In which part of Scotland is Gaelic spoken?
- A. The Borders
- B. Glasgow and Edinburgh
- C. The Highlands and Islands
- D. The east coast
Answer: C. The Highlands and Islands
Some Highland and island communities still speak Gaelic, a language of its own.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (The UK today)
Question 8. True or false. Your MP can be asked for tickets to watch Parliament.
- A. True
- B. False
Answer: A. True
True. Tickets can be requested from your MP, or you can join the queue at the public entrance.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The government)
Question 9. In 1913, which group in Ireland was ready to fight the government's plan for the island?
- A. Southern Catholics
- B. English landowners
- C. Northern Protestants
- D. British army officers
Answer: C. Northern Protestants
In the north, Protestants were against Home Rule and ready to use force to stop it.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The 20th century)
Question 10. About how long is the linen cloth of the Bayeux Tapestry?
- A. About 7 metres
- B. Nearly 70 metres
- C. About 20 metres
- D. Over 200 metres
Answer: B. Nearly 70 metres
The linen tapestry is nearly 70 metres long, stitched with coloured wool.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Early Britain)
Question 11. What does a 'free press' mean?
- A. Newspapers that are handed out to everyone for free
- B. Newspapers printed only by the Church
- C. Newspapers that need a royal licence
- D. Newspapers that the government does not control
Answer: D. Newspapers that the government does not control
With a free press, newspapers and other publishers decide what to print without the government's permission.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (A global power)
Question 12. Since which year has the Prime Minister been able to nominate life peers?
- A. 1918
- B. 1945
- C. 1958
- D. 1999
Answer: C. 1958
Life peers, who hold their title only for their lifetime, were introduced in 1958.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The British constitution)
Question 13. True or false. Volunteers help keep the main heritage charity of England, Wales and Northern Ireland running.
- A. True
- B. False
Answer: A. True
True. Tens of thousands of volunteers support its work.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Places of interest)
Question 14. How many MSPs sit in the Scottish Parliament?
- A. 129
- B. 60
- C. 90
- D. 650
Answer: A. 129
The Scottish Parliament has 129 members, known as MSPs.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The government)
Question 15. Which place has the nickname 'the home of golf'?
- A. Wimbledon
- B. Aintree
- C. St Andrews
- D. Cowes
Answer: C. St Andrews
People call St Andrews, in Scotland, the home of golf.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Sport)
Question 16. For about how long did Queen Victoria reign?
- A. About 20 years
- B. About 40 years
- C. Almost 80 years
- D. Almost 64 years
Answer: D. Almost 64 years
Victoria reigned for almost 64 years, a period called the Victorian Age.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (A global power)
Question 17. For which sport did Torvill and Dean win Olympic gold in 1984?
- A. Ice dancing
- B. Rowing
- C. Sailing
- D. Cycling
Answer: A. Ice dancing
Torvill and Dean took Olympic gold in ice dancing in 1984 and won four world championships in a row.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Sport)
Question 18. What explains longer lives in the UK?
- A. Fewer people living in cities
- B. A warmer climate than in the past
- C. Lower taxes for older people
- D. Higher living standards and better medical care
Answer: D. Higher living standards and better medical care
Better health care and a higher standard of living mean people live longer.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (The UK today)
Question 19. True or false. Membership of the Commonwealth is compulsory for former colonies.
- A. True
- B. False
Answer: B. False
False. Joining the Commonwealth is a free choice.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The UK and international institutions)
Question 20. What is the small claims procedure for?
- A. Punishing people for small crimes
- B. Claiming state benefits from the local council office
- C. Registering to vote in local elections
- D. Settling minor disputes without the cost of a lawyer
Answer: D. Settling minor disputes without the cost of a lawyer
It is an informal way to sort out minor disputes without spending much time or money on lawyers.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The role of the courts)
Question 21. Where did the ancestors of the first farmers in Britain probably come from?
- A. North Africa
- B. Scandinavia
- C. Western Asia
- D. South-east Europe
Answer: D. South-east Europe
The handbook says the first farmers' ancestors probably came from south-east Europe. They built houses, tombs and monuments.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Early Britain)
Question 22. In which year was the Scottish Parliament formed?
- A. 1707
- B. 1999
- C. 1922
- D. 2014
Answer: B. 1999
1999 saw the Scottish Parliament set up.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The government)
Question 23. Compared with 100 years ago, how has the UK changed in ethnic and religious terms?
- A. It is less diverse
- B. It is more diverse
- C. It has hardly changed
- D. It has fewer religions
Answer: B. It is more diverse
The UK is more diverse in ethnic and religious terms than it was a century ago, partly because of immigration after the war.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (The UK today)
Question 24. In which year did Concorde first fly?
- A. 1969
- B. 1953
- C. 1976
- D. 1985
Answer: A. 1969
Concorde first flew in 1969 and began passenger flights in 1976.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Britain since 1945)
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