You have 45 minutes to answer 24 multiple choice Life in the UK Test questions. You need to answer at least 18 out of 24 questions correctly to pass. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!
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1. Which of the following is not the job of the police?
AB
C
D
Correct Answer: To prosecute someone for debt
Explanation: The job of the police in the UK is to:
-protect life and property ;
-prevent disturbances (also known as keeping the peace) ;
-prevent and detect crime.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and you role - Respecting the law - The police and their duties
Explanation: The job of the police in the UK is to:
-protect life and property ;
-prevent disturbances (also known as keeping the peace) ;
-prevent and detect crime.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and you role - Respecting the law - The police and their duties
2. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
All Acts of Parliament are made in the name of the Prime Minister.
AAll Acts of Parliament are made in the name of the Prime Minister.
B
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: The Queen has important ceremonial roles, such as the opening of the new parliamentary session each year. On this occasion the Queen makes a speech which summarises the government's policies for the year ahead. All Acts of Parliament are made in her name.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - The monarchy
Explanation: The Queen has important ceremonial roles, such as the opening of the new parliamentary session each year. On this occasion the Queen makes a speech which summarises the government's policies for the year ahead. All Acts of Parliament are made in her name.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - The monarchy
3. The Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament were formed in which year?
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Correct Answer: 1999
Explanation: Since 1997, some powers have been devolved from the central government to give people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more control over matters that directly affect them. There has been a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament since 1999.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations
Explanation: Since 1997, some powers have been devolved from the central government to give people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more control over matters that directly affect them. There has been a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament since 1999.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations
4. Which jubilee did Queen Elizabeth II celebrate in 2012?
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Correct Answer: Diamond Jubilee
Explanation: The Queen has reigned since her father's death in 1952, and in 2012 she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as queen).
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - The monarchy
Explanation: The Queen has reigned since her father's death in 1952, and in 2012 she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as queen).
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - The monarchy
5. Since which year has the UK had fully democratic voting systems?
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Correct Answer: 1928
Explanation: The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Who can vote?
Explanation: The UK has had a fully democratic voting system since 1928.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Who can vote?
6. What happens at a polling station or polling place?
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Correct Answer: People vote in elections
Explanation: People vote in elections at places called polling stations, or polling places in Scotland. Before the election you will be sent a poll card. This tells you where your polling station or polling place is and when the election will take place.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Where to vote
Explanation: People vote in elections at places called polling stations, or polling places in Scotland. Before the election you will be sent a poll card. This tells you where your polling station or polling place is and when the election will take place.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Where to vote
7. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
A mayor is always elected.
AA mayor is always elected.
B
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: MPs are elected through a system called 'first past the post'. In each constituency, the candidate who gets the most votes is elected. The government is usually formed by the party that wins the majority of constituencies. If no party wins a majority, two parties may join together to form a coalition.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - System of government - Elections
Explanation: MPs are elected through a system called 'first past the post'. In each constituency, the candidate who gets the most votes is elected. The government is usually formed by the party that wins the majority of constituencies. If no party wins a majority, two parties may join together to form a coalition.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - System of government - Elections
8. Causing trouble whilst drinking in public can result in which TWO of the following from the police?
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C
D
Correct Answer: Arrest, A fine
Explanation: Examples of criminal laws are:
- Drinking in public: some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public. The police can also confiscate alcohol or move young people on from public places. You can be fined or arrested.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - Respecting the law - The law in the UK
Explanation: Examples of criminal laws are:
- Drinking in public: some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public. The police can also confiscate alcohol or move young people on from public places. You can be fined or arrested.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - Respecting the law - The law in the UK
9. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for which area of government policy?
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Correct Answer: Economy
Explanation: The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments. These include:
-Home Secretary - responsible for crime, policing and immigration ;
- Foreign Secretary - responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries ;
-other ministers (called 'Secretaries of State') responsible for subjects such as education, health and defence.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - The cabinet
Explanation: The Prime Minister appoints about 20 senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments. These include:
-Home Secretary - responsible for crime, policing and immigration ;
- Foreign Secretary - responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries ;
-other ministers (called 'Secretaries of State') responsible for subjects such as education, health and defence.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - The cabinet
10. The Scottish Parliament can make laws in which of the following areas?
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Correct Answer: All of above
Explanation: The matters on which the Scottish Parliament can legislate include:
- civil and criminal law ;
- health ;
- education ;
- planning ;
- additional tax-raising powers
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations - The Scottish Parliament
Explanation: The matters on which the Scottish Parliament can legislate include:
- civil and criminal law ;
- health ;
- education ;
- planning ;
- additional tax-raising powers
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations - The Scottish Parliament
11. Since which year has the Prime Minister had the power to nominate life peers to the House of Lords?
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Correct Answer: 1958
Explanation: Since 1958, the Prime Minister has had the power to nominate peers just for their own lifetime. These are called life peers. They have usually had an important career in politics, business, law or another profession. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. They also include people nominated by the leaders of the other main political parties or by an independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - System of government - The House of Lords
Explanation: Since 1958, the Prime Minister has had the power to nominate peers just for their own lifetime. These are called life peers. They have usually had an important career in politics, business, law or another profession. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. They also include people nominated by the leaders of the other main political parties or by an independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - System of government - The House of Lords
12. Every MP represents which of the following?
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Correct Answer: A constituency
Explanation: Each MP represents a parliamentary constituency, which is a small area of the country.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - System of government - The House of Commons
Explanation: Each MP represents a parliamentary constituency, which is a small area of the country.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - System of government - The House of Commons
13. Who is the head of state?
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Correct Answer: The Queen
Explanation: The Queen has an important role in providing stability and continuity. While governments and Prime Ministers change regularly, the Queen continues as head of state. She provides a focus for national identity and pride, which was demonstrated through the celebrations of her Jubilee.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - The monarchy
Explanation: The Queen has an important role in providing stability and continuity. While governments and Prime Ministers change regularly, the Queen continues as head of state. She provides a focus for national identity and pride, which was demonstrated through the celebrations of her Jubilee.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - The monarchy
14. The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. How many permanent members does the Security Council have?
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Correct Answer: 5
Explanation: There are 15 members on the UN Security Council, which recommends action when there are international crises and threats to peace. The UK is one of five permanent members of the Security Council.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The UK and international institutions - The United Nations
Explanation: There are 15 members on the UN Security Council, which recommends action when there are international crises and threats to peace. The UK is one of five permanent members of the Security Council.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The UK and international institutions - The United Nations
15. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
You must always tell a canvasser how you intend to vote.
AYou must always tell a canvasser how you intend to vote.
B
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Political parties are particularly busy at election times. Members work hard to persuade people to vote for their candidates - for instance, by handing out leaflets in the street or by knocking on people's doors and asking for their support. This is called 'canvassing'. You don't have to tell a canvasser how you intend to vote if you don't want to.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - How you can support your community - Supporting political parties
Explanation: Political parties are particularly busy at election times. Members work hard to persuade people to vote for their candidates - for instance, by handing out leaflets in the street or by knocking on people's doors and asking for their support. This is called 'canvassing'. You don't have to tell a canvasser how you intend to vote if you don't want to.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - How you can support your community - Supporting political parties
16. How often is Prime Minister's Questions held?
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Correct Answer: Every week while Parliament is in session
Explanation: The leader of the opposition leads his or her party in pointing out what they see as the government's failures and weaknesses. One important opportunity to do this is at Prime Minister's Questions, which takes place every week while Parliament is sitting.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - The opposition
Explanation: The leader of the opposition leads his or her party in pointing out what they see as the government's failures and weaknesses. One important opportunity to do this is at Prime Minister's Questions, which takes place every week while Parliament is sitting.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - The opposition
17. Who is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth?
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Correct Answer: The Queen
Explanation: The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, which currently has 54 member states.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The UK and international institutions - The Commonwealth
Explanation: The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, which currently has 54 member states.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The UK and international institutions - The Commonwealth
18. Which of these statements is correct?
AB
Correct Answer: A Magistrates' Court deals with minor criminal offences.
Explanation: In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates' Court.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The role of the courts - Criminal courts - Magistrates' and Justice of the Peace Courts
Explanation: In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates' Court.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The role of the courts - Criminal courts - Magistrates' and Justice of the Peace Courts
19. The right for every adult male and female to vote is usually known as what?
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Correct Answer: Universal suffrage
Explanation: Politicians realised that the increased number of voters meant that they needed to persuade people to vote for them if they were to be sure of being elected to Parliament. The political parties began to create organisations to reach out to ordinary voters. Universal suffrage (the right of every adult, male or female, to vote) followed in the next century.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - The right to vote
Explanation: Politicians realised that the increased number of voters meant that they needed to persuade people to vote for them if they were to be sure of being elected to Parliament. The political parties began to create organisations to reach out to ordinary voters. Universal suffrage (the right of every adult, male or female, to vote) followed in the next century.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - The right to vote
20. Which TWO of the following do you have to pay tax on?
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Correct Answer: Income from property, savings and dividends, Profits from self-employment
Explanation: People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes:
- wages from paid employment ;
- profits from self-employment ;
- taxable benefits ;
- pensions ;
- income from property, savings and dividends.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - Taxation - Income Tax
Explanation: People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes:
- wages from paid employment ;
- profits from self-employment ;
- taxable benefits ;
- pensions ;
- income from property, savings and dividends.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - Taxation - Income Tax
21. What are members of the Northern Ireland Parliament known as?
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Correct Answer: MLAs
Explanation: There is a power-sharing agreement which distributes ministerial offices amongst the main parties. The Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs (members of the Legislative Assembly). They are elected with a form of proportional representation.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations - The Northern Ireland Assembly
Explanation: There is a power-sharing agreement which distributes ministerial offices amongst the main parties. The Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs (members of the Legislative Assembly). They are elected with a form of proportional representation.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations - The Northern Ireland Assembly
22. Which of these statements is correct?
AB
Correct Answer: The small claims procedure is an informal way of helping people settle minor disputes without needing a lawyer.
Explanation: The small claims procedure is an informal way of helping people to settle minor disputes without spending a lot of time and money using a lawyer.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The role of courts - Civil courts - The small claims procedure
Explanation: The small claims procedure is an informal way of helping people to settle minor disputes without spending a lot of time and money using a lawyer.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The role of courts - Civil courts - The small claims procedure
23. What information must always be entered on an electoral registration form?
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Correct Answer: The names of all eligible voters who live at the address
Explanation: The electoral register is updated every year in September or October. An electoral registration form is sent to every household and this has to be completed and returned with the names of everyone who is resident in the household and eligible to vote
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Who can vote? - The electoral register
Explanation: The electoral register is updated every year in September or October. An electoral registration form is sent to every household and this has to be completed and returned with the names of everyone who is resident in the household and eligible to vote
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Who can vote? - The electoral register
24. In which city is the Scottish Parliament based?
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Correct Answer: Edinburgh
Explanation: The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999. It sits in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations - The Scottish Parliament
Explanation: The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999. It sits in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations - The Scottish Parliament