Life in the UK Test — Exam 2 of 17
Exam 2 of 17 in the CitizenReady series: a fixed paper of 24 questions — the same questions every visit, so you can retake it, watch your score climb, then move on to Exam 3. Weighted like the real test (history, government and society heaviest) with the real format mix and the real pass mark of 18 out of 24 (75%). Tap an answer to check it instantly and read the explanation.
Question 1 · Chapter 1: Values & Principles
As part of pupils' wider development, schools in the UK are expected to promote which of these?
The Department for Education expects all schools to promote the fundamental British values — democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance — as part of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Question 2 · Chapter 2: What is the UK?
The River Thames flows through which pair of cities on its way to the sea?
The Thames rises in Gloucestershire and flows through Oxford and then London before reaching the North Sea.
Question 3 · Chapter 3: History
Which TWO of these places were Roman towns in Britain?
Choose TWO answers — select both to see the result
Londinium was the Romans' trading settlement on the Thames, and Aquae Sulis was the Roman town built around the hot springs at Bath. Jorvik was the Vikings' name for York, many centuries after the Romans, and Skara Brae is a prehistoric village in Orkney, far older than Roman Britain.
Question 4 · Chapter 4: Modern Society
The laws of cricket were first written in England, and cricket is a traditional English summer sport.
Cricket developed in England, its rules were first formalised there in the 18th century, and it remains a traditional English summer sport.
Question 5 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
If you keep a car off the public road and do not drive it, what must you do about vehicle tax?
A vehicle must either be taxed or have a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) declaration; keeping an untaxed vehicle without a SORN can lead to a fine.
Question 6 · Chapter 2: What is the UK?
Visitors to Greenwich can stand with a foot on either side of the Prime Meridian line in the courtyard of which landmark?
The Prime Meridian line, marking 0 degrees longitude, is set into the courtyard of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, the historic home of British astronomy and of Greenwich Mean Time.
Question 7 · Chapter 3: History
Hadrian's Wall, which stretched right across the north of England, was about 100 miles long.
The wall ran for about 73 miles (roughly 117 kilometres), from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west.
Question 8 · Chapter 4: Modern Society
Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, wrote the words of which famous song, sung around the world at New Year?
Burns wrote the Scots-language poem Auld Lang Syne in 1788; it is now sung at New Year celebrations in many countries.
Question 9 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Which TWO of these rights are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights?
Choose TWO answers — select both to see the result
The European Convention protects civil and political rights, including the right to a fair trial and an absolute ban on torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. It does not guarantee anyone a large house provided free by the state, or a job for life.
Question 10 · Chapter 2: What is the UK?
The Great Glen, a great geological fault valley containing Loch Ness, runs across the Highlands between which two places?
The Great Glen runs in a remarkably straight line for about 100 km from Inverness, on the Moray Firth, to Fort William, at the head of Loch Linnhe, following the Great Glen Fault and a chain of lochs including Loch Ness.
Question 11 · Chapter 3: History
In the 'Harrying of the North' of 1069–70, William the Conqueror's forces laid waste to large parts of which region, crushing resistance to his rule?
In response to rebellions, William's army systematically devastated northern England in 1069–70 — villages were burned and crops destroyed, causing a severe famine.
Question 12 · Chapter 4: Modern Society
The words of 'Auld Lang Syne', sung at midnight during Hogmanay to welcome the New Year, were written by which Scottish poet?
Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, wrote 'Auld Lang Syne'. The song is sung at Hogmanay — Scotland's New Year celebration — as the clocks strike midnight, and its singing has spread from Scotland to New Year celebrations around the world.
Question 13 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
The Bank of England is responsible for setting the UK's official interest rate.
The Bank of England, which is independent of the government, sets the official interest rate through its Monetary Policy Committee.
Question 14 · Chapter 3: History
The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War, was the struggle to keep Britain supplied by sea against attacks by which enemy weapon?
German U-boats hunted the convoys carrying food, fuel and weapons to Britain across the Atlantic; escorted convoys, aircraft and codebreaking gradually turned the tide by 1943.
Question 15 · Chapter 4: Modern Society
Ivanhoe, a historical novel about medieval England, was written by which Scottish author?
Walter Scott wrote Ivanhoe and many other historical novels, including Waverley and Rob Roy.
Question 16 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Who is responsible for compiling and keeping up to date the electoral register for your local area?
The electoral register is compiled and maintained locally: each area has an electoral registration officer, working through the local council, who runs the annual canvass and keeps the list of voters up to date.
Question 17 · Chapter 3: History
David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and explorer of the Victorian age, became famous for his journeys across which continent, where he encountered the great falls he named after Queen Victoria?
Livingstone explored large parts of central and southern Africa, and in 1855 reached the waterfall he named Victoria Falls in honour of the Queen.
Question 18 · Chapter 4: Modern Society
Cockerell's prototype hovercraft, the SR-N1, first crossed the English Channel in which year?
The SR-N1 crossed from Calais to Dover on 25 July 1959, fifty years to the day after Blériot's first aeroplane crossing of the Channel.
Question 19 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
In England and Wales, which public body is mainly responsible for prosecuting people accused of crimes?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the public body that prosecutes most criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.
Question 20 · Chapter 3: History
In the Viking age, the large part of England where Danish law and customs applied was known as what?
The area of northern and eastern England settled and governed by the Danes was called the Danelaw, because Danish law applied there.
Question 21 · Chapter 4: Modern Society
The Famous Five, a popular series of children's adventure books about four children and their dog Timmy, were written by which author?
Enid Blyton wrote the Famous Five books, following Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog on their adventures.
Question 22 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
When MPs vote on an important question in the Commons, how do they usually record their votes?
In a division, MPs vote by walking through one of two lobbies — the Aye lobby for yes and the No lobby for no — where they are counted and their names recorded.
Question 23 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
What is the minimum legal age for buying most knives and blades in the UK?
It is an offence to sell a knife or blade to anyone under 18 (a small folding penknife with a short blade is the main exception).
Question 24 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
What does PAYE stand for in the UK tax system?
Under PAYE (Pay As You Earn), an employer takes income tax and National Insurance off an employee's wages or pension before paying them.
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