Life in the UK test practice

10 free sample questions

1. Values and principles of the UK

   Which of these is one of the fundamental principles of British life?

   1. Military service for all
   2. The rule of law
   3. Compulsory worship
   4. Rule by royal decree
   Show answer

   B. The rule of law

   The rule of law is one of the core principles of British life. It means everyone, including those in power, must follow the law.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 1: The values and principles of the UK

2. What is the UK?

   Which countries make up the United Kingdom?

   1. England, Wales, Jersey and Northern Ireland
   2. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
   3. England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands
   4. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
   Show answer

   B. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

   The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 2: What is the UK?

3. A long and illustrious history

   Roughly when did the first farmers arrive in Britain?

   1. About 600 years ago
   2. About 2,000 years ago
   3. About 60,000 years ago
   4. About 6,000 years ago
   Show answer

   D. About 6,000 years ago

   Farming reached Britain around 6,000 years ago, brought by people from south-east Europe.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 3: Early Britain

4. A modern, thriving society

   What is the capital city of Wales?

   1. Cardiff
   2. Swansea
   3. Newport
   4. Wrexham
   Show answer

   A. Cardiff

   Cardiff is the capital of Wales. Swansea and Newport are other large Welsh cities.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 4: A modern, thriving society (The UK today)

5. Government, the law and your role

   Which phrase best describes the UK's system of government?

   1. A presidential republic with an elected head of state
   2. An absolute monarchy with an advisory council
   3. A parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch
   4. A federal republic made up of independent states
   Show answer

   C. A parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch

   The UK is a parliamentary democracy; the monarch is head of state but does not run the government.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The British constitution)

6. Values and principles of the UK

   Which fundamental principle is about people choosing their government through free elections?

   1. The rule of law
   2. Community participation
   3. Individual liberty
   4. Democracy
   Show answer

   D. Democracy

   Democracy means the people choose who governs them. In the UK this happens through regular, free elections.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 1: The values and principles of the UK

7. What is the UK?

   Which countries make up Great Britain?

   1. England and Wales only
   2. England, Wales and Northern Ireland
   3. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
   4. England, Scotland and Wales
   Show answer

   D. England, Scotland and Wales

   Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is part of the UK but not of Great Britain.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 2: What is the UK?

8. A long and illustrious history

   In which county is Stonehenge?

   1. Cornwall
   2. Yorkshire
   3. Wiltshire
   4. Kent
   Show answer

   C. Wiltshire

   Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, probably used for ceremonies.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 3: Early Britain

9. A modern, thriving society

   What is the capital city of Northern Ireland?

   1. Armagh
   2. Newry
   3. Lisburn
   4. Belfast
   Show answer

   D. Belfast

   Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and home to its Assembly at Stormont.

   Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 4: A modern, thriving society (The UK today)

10. Government, the law and your role

    How is the UK constitution different from that of many other countries?

    1. It can only be changed by a public vote
    2. It is not set out in one single document
    3. It was written by the monarch in 1066
    4. It is kept and enforced by the United Nations
    Show answer

    B. It is not set out in one single document

    The UK constitution is not written down in one document; it comes from laws, conventions and court rulings.

    Source: Life in the UK handbook, ch. 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The British constitution)

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