Life in the UK Practice Test 49
Free Life in the UK practice test 49 of 52: 24 questions in the real exam format, drawn from all five chapters of the official handbook. The real test has 24 questions, a 45-minute limit and a pass mark of 18 out of 24 (75%). Tap an answer to check it instantly and read the explanation.
Question 1 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
As well as hearing criminal cases, magistrates in England and Wales may also sit in which court, which deals with matters such as arrangements for children?
Specially trained magistrates also sit in the Family Court, which deals with matters affecting children and families.
Question 2 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Scotland has its own prosecution system. Who is responsible for prosecuting crimes in Scotland?
In Scotland, prosecutions are brought by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; the local procurator fiscal decides whether a case should go to court.
Question 3 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Which independent body oversees elections in the UK and regulates the money political parties raise and spend?
The Electoral Commission is the independent body that oversees elections and regulates political party and election finance in the UK.
Question 4 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
By tradition, MPs are not allowed simply to resign their seats. How does an MP traditionally give up their seat part-way through a Parliament?
Because MPs cannot formally resign, an MP who wants to leave applies for a nominal Crown office — Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds or of the Manor of Northstead — which makes them ineligible to sit, and a by-election follows.
Question 5 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
In Scotland, a jury can return a verdict of 'not proven', which does not exist in England and Wales.
In Scotland a jury can return one of three verdicts: guilty, not guilty or not proven; like a not guilty verdict, 'not proven' means the person is acquitted.
Question 6 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Which of these is one of the Prime Minister's official titles, shown on the letterbox of 10 Downing Street?
The Prime Minister is also First Lord of the Treasury — the title appears on the letterbox of 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's official home.
Question 7 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
What is the main role of the Privy Council in the UK's system of government?
The Privy Council is the body of senior advisers — including senior politicians and judges — who formally advise the monarch; much of its work is formal, such as approving orders made in the monarch's name.
Question 8 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
How is policing organised in England and Wales?
England and Wales are policed by 43 separate territorial forces, each covering its own area; there is no single national force.
Question 9 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Which police force is responsible for policing Britain's railways and many railway stations?
The British Transport Police is the specialist force for the railway network in England, Wales and Scotland, including stations and trains.
Question 10 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Since 2013, policing across the whole of Scotland has been carried out by which single force?
In 2013 Scotland's eight regional forces were merged into one national service, Police Scotland, formally the Police Service of Scotland.
Question 11 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
The Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand in London are home to which courts?
The Royal Courts of Justice house the High Court and the Court of Appeal, which deal with important civil cases and appeals from lower courts.
Question 12 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
In the legal profession of England and Wales, what are the Inns of Court?
The Inns of Court, in London, are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales; every barrister must be a member of one of them.
Question 13 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
How many Inns of Court are there in London?
There are four Inns of Court: Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Gray's Inn.
Question 14 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
In England, which of these is the lowest, most local tier of local government?
Parish councils — called town councils in towns — are the smallest tier of local government in England, looking after very local amenities and services.
Question 15 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
What is the minimum age at which a shop may legally sell ordinary fireworks to a customer in the UK?
Fireworks are an age-restricted product: they may only be sold to people aged 18 or over.
Question 16 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
A newsagent refuses to sell cigarettes to a 17-year-old regular customer. What does the law say?
The minimum age for buying tobacco and cigarettes in the UK is 18, and parental permission does not change that.
Question 17 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
It is an offence to tattoo someone under 18 in the UK, even if a parent gives permission.
It is an offence to tattoo anyone under 18, and parental consent makes no difference.
Question 18 · 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 19 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Which of these activities means you legally need a TV licence?
You need a TV licence to watch or record television as it is broadcast — live TV on any channel or service, on any device, including a phone — and to use BBC iPlayer.
Question 20 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
Apart from prizes and running costs, where does part of the money from National Lottery ticket sales go?
A share of National Lottery income is distributed to good causes across the UK, funding arts, sport, heritage and community projects.
Question 21 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
For how long are people's individual census answers kept confidential before the records can be opened to the public?
Census returns are closed for 100 years to protect the confidentiality people were promised when they gave their information; only then can family historians see them.
Question 22 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
When a census is held, what is the legal position for households?
Taking part in the census is a legal requirement for every household; failing to complete it can result in prosecution and a fine.
Question 23 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
At a general election, who is the official responsible for running the election in each parliamentary constituency?
The Returning Officer is the official in charge of conducting the election in a constituency, including organising the poll and the count and declaring the result.
Question 24 · Chapter 5: Government, Law & Your Role
On polling day, what do the staff working inside a polling station do when you arrive to vote?
Polling station staff (presiding officers and poll clerks) check the register, mark that you have voted, and issue your ballot paper; your choice itself is secret.
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