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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List of questions in above test (quick view). Click question box to reveal correct answer.
1. Fighting broke out between colonists in North America and British forces in the late 18th century. What did 13 colonies declare in 1776?
A An alliance
B Defeat
C Independence
D Surrender
Correct Answer: Independence
Explanation: In 1776, 13 American colonies declared their independence, stating that people had a right to establish their own governments.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - The American War of Independence
2. Which of these statements is correct?
A Florence Nightingale is associated with policing.
B Florence Nightingale is associated with the development of nursing.
Correct Answer: Florence Nightingale is associated with the development of nursing.
Explanation: In 1860 she established the Nightingale Training School for nurses at St Thomas' Hospital in London.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - The Crimean War
3. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
During the 18th century, radical new ideas about politics, philosophy and science were developed, called 'the Enlightenment'.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: TRUE
Explanation: During the 18th century, new ideas about politics, philosophy and science were developed. This is often called 'the Enlightenment'.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - The Enlightenment
4. Which TWO groups contested the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century?
A House of Lancaster
B House of York
C Irish
D Scottish
Correct Answer: House of Lancaster, House of York
Explanation: In 1455, a civil war was begun to decide who should be king of England. It was fought between the supporters of two families: the House of Lancaster and the House of York.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - The Middle Ages - The Wars of the Roses
5. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
Lands taken from Catholics in 17th- century Ireland and given to Protestant settlers were known as 'plantations'.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: TRUE
Explanation: During the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, many people in Ireland opposed rule by the Protestant government in England. There were a number of rebellions. The English government encouraged Scottish and English Protestants to settle in Ulster, the northern province of Ireland, taking over the land from Catholic landholders. These settlements were known as plantations.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - The Tudors and Stuarts - Ireland
6. In 1649, England was declared a republic. What was it called?
A European wealth
B Great Britain
C The Commonwealth
D The People's Republic
Correct Answer: The Commonwealth
Explanation: The king's army was defeated at the Battles of Marston Moore and Naseby. By 1646, it was clear that Parliament had won the war. Charles was held prisoner by the parliamentary army. He was still unwilling to reach any agreement with Parliament and in 1649 he was executed. England declared itself a republic, called the Commonwealth. It no longer had a monarch.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - The Tudors and Stuarts - Oliver Cromwell and the English republic
7. Which Catherine was executed after being accused of taking lovers by Henry VIII?
A Boleyn
B Howard
C Of Aragon
D Parr
Correct Answer: Howard
Explanation: Catherine Howard - Catherine was a cousin of Anne Boleyn. She was also accused of taking lovers and executed.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - The Tudors and Stuarts - Religious conflicts
8. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
Thanks to its position as the world's leading industrial nation during the 1800s, Britain was responsible for producing half of the world's coal, iron and cotton cloth.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: TRUE
Explanation: British industry led the world in the 19th century. The UK produced more than half of the world's iron, coal and cotton cloth.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - Trade and industry
9. Richard Arkwright used steam engines to do what?
A All of the above
B Create electricity
C Power machinery
D Pull carriages
Correct Answer: Power machinery
Explanation: Later, he used the steam engine to power machinery. Arkwright is particularly remembered for the efficient and profitable way that he ran his factories.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - The Industrial Revolution
10. Which of these statements is NOT true?
A During Queen Victoria reign, the middle classes became increasingly significant
B During Queen Victoria's reign, the size and influence of the British middle class shrank
Correct Answer: During Queen Victoria's reign, the size and influence of the British middle class shrank
Explanation: In 1837, Queen Victoria became queen of the UK at the age of 18. She reigned until 1901, almost 64 years. At the date of writing (2013) this is the longest reign of any British monarch. Her reign is known as the Victorian Age. It was a time when Britain increased in power and influence abroad. Within the UK, the middle classes became increasingly significant and a number of reformers led moves to improve conditions of life for the poor.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - A global power - The Victorian Age
11. What was inscribed on some Iron Age coins?
A Dates
B Names of Iron Age kings
C Names of Iron Age settlements
D Value
Correct Answer: Names of Iron Age kings
Explanation: The people of the Iron Age had a sophisticated culture and economy. They made the first coins to be minted in Britain, some inscribed with the names of Iron Age kings.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - Early Britain Chapter
12. When England became a republic, after Charles I lost the English Civil War, it no longer had what?
A Monarch
B National anthem
C Parliament
D Prime Minister
Correct Answer: Monarch
Explanation: England declared itself a republic, called the Commonwealth. It no longer had a monarch.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - The Tudors and Stuarts - Oliver Cromwell and the English republic
13. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
The whole British Empire was involved in the First World War, with troops from India, the West Indies, Africa, and Australia all fighting on behalf of the British.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: TRUE
Explanation: The whole of the British Empire was involved in the conflict - for example, more than a million Indians fought on behalf of Britain in lots of different countries, and around 40,000 were killed. Men from the West Indies, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada also fought with the British.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - The 20th century - The First World War
14. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
Henry VIII married four times.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Henry VIII was most famous for breaking away from the Church of Rome and marrying six times.
Reference: Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history - The Tudors and Stuarts - Religious conflicts
15. Is this statement TRUE or FALSE? In Wales and Northern Ireland, the established Churches are respectively the Church of Wales and the Church of Ulster.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: There is no established Church in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Religion - Christian churches
16. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
The Brit Awards is an event where sports people are given awards.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: The Brit Awards is an annual event that gives awards in a range of categories, such as best British group and best British solo artist.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern thriving society - Arts and culture - Music
17. What is the name of a novel Jane Austen?
A Far from the Madding Crowd
B Oliver Twist
C Our Man in Havana
D Sense and Sensibility
Correct Answer: Sense and Sensibility
Explanation: Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English novelist. Her books include Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Her novels are concerned with marriage and family relationships. Many have been made into television programmes or films.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and culture - literature - Notable authors and writers
18. What awards event celebrates British theatre?
A The Brit Awards
B The Laurence Olivier Awards
C The Man Booker Prize
D The Tuner Prize
Correct Answer: The Laurence Olivier Awards
Explanation: The Laurence Olivier Awards take place annually at different venues in London. There are a variety of categories, including best director, best actor and best actress.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and culture - Theatre
19. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
A traditional food in Wales is Ulster fry.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Northern Ireland: Ulster fry - a fried meal with bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, white pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, soda bread and potato bread.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Leisure - Cooking and food - Traditional foods
20. Which of these statements is correct?
A The UK's constitution is a single document that includes laws and conventions
B The UK's constitution is unwritten but includes laws and conventions
Correct Answer: The UK's constitution is unwritten but includes laws and conventions
Explanation: A constitution is a set of principles by which a country is governed. It includes all of the institutions that are responsible for running the country and how their power is kept in check. The constitution also includes laws and conventions.
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution
21. Which of these statements is correct?
A Local election are normally held in March
B Local elections are normally held in May
Correct Answer: Local elections are normally held in May
Explanation: For most local authorities, local elections for councillors are held in May every year. 
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Local government
22. The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. How many permanent members does the Security Council have?
A 5
B 15
C 27
D 190
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
23. What are MEPs?
A Members of the English Parliament
B Members of the European Parliament
C Modern English parliamentarians
D Modern European parliamentarians
Correct Answer: Members of the European Parliament
Explanation: Elections for the European Parliament are also held every five years. Elected members are called members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The British constitution - System of government - Elections - European parliamentary elections
24. Which of these statements is correct?
A The National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh government are based in Cardiff.
B The National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh government are based in Edinburgh.
Correct Answer: The National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh government are based in Cardiff.
Explanation: The Welsh government and National Assembly for Wales are based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. 
Reference: Chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role - The government - Devolved administrations - The Welsh government