Free practice test 11
Life in the UK Practice Test 11
24 questions on Britain since 1945, Arts and culture and Respecting the law. Read through them here with every answer explained, or take the same set as a timed test.
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Questions and answers
Every answer below is marked, with a short explanation and a link to the part of the official handbook it comes from.
Question 1 · Britain since 1945
Since 2000, what has been the focus of British armed forces operations overseas?
- A.Providing humanitarian aid to developing countries
- B.Protecting British overseas territories from invasion
- C.Supporting United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa
- D.Fighting international terrorism and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction
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D. Fighting international terrorism and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction
Since 2000, British armed forces have been engaged in the global fight against international terrorism and against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. British combat troops left Iraq in 2009.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 2 · Britain since 1945
What is the purpose of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan?
- A.To exploit Afghanistan's natural resources
- B.To incorporate Afghanistan into the United Nations
- C.To establish a new government in Afghanistan
- D.To ensure Afghan territory can never again be used as a safe haven for international terrorism
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D. To ensure Afghan territory can never again be used as a safe haven for international terrorism
ISAF is working to ensure that Afghan territory can never again be used as a safe haven for international terrorism, where groups such as Al Qa'ida could plan attacks on the international community. As part of this, ISAF is building up the Afghan National Security Forces, with Afghan forces due to have full security responsibility across all provinces by the end of 2014.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 3 · Britain since 1945
How many nations make up the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)?
- A.50 nations
- B.40 nations
- C.60 nations
- D.25 nations
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A. 50 nations
The UK operates in Afghanistan as part of the United Nations mandated 50-nation International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 4 · Britain since 1945
In the 1990s, Britain played a leading role in coalition forces involved in which two conflicts?
- A.The conflict in Iraq and the former Republic of Yugoslavia
- B.The liberation of Kuwait and operations in Afghanistan
- C.The liberation of Kuwait and the conflict in the former Republic of Yugoslavia
- D.The conflict in Afghanistan and the liberation of Kuwait
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C. The liberation of Kuwait and the conflict in the former Republic of Yugoslavia
Throughout the 1990s, Britain played a leading role in coalition forces involved in the liberation of Kuwait, following the Iraqi invasion in 1990, and the conflict in the former Republic of Yugoslavia.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 5 · A global power
How many crosses make up the Union Flag?
- A.Two
- B.Five
- C.Four
- D.Three
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D. Three
The Union Flag consists of three crosses, representing England, Scotland and Ireland.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 6 · Britain since 1945
Who became Prime Minister following the formation of the coalition government in 2010?
- A.Gordon Brown
- B.David Cameron
- C.Nick Clegg
- D.Tony Blair
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B. David Cameron
Following the 2010 General Election, the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties formed a coalition government. David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, became Prime Minister.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 7 · Britain since 1945
What was significant about the result of the May 2010 General Election in the UK?
- A.It was the first time the Labour Party had ever lost a General Election
- B.It was the first General Election in which women could vote
- C.It was the first time a woman became Prime Minister
- D.No political party won an overall majority, leading to a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition
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D. No political party won an overall majority, leading to a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition
In May 2010, no political party won an overall majority in the General Election, the first time this had happened in the UK since February 1974. As a result, the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties formed a coalition government, with David Cameron becoming Prime Minister.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 8 · A global power
What does the cross of St George, representing England in the Union Flag, look like?
- A.A white cross on a red ground
- B.A diagonal white cross on a blue ground
- C.A red cross on a white ground
- D.A diagonal red cross on a white ground
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C. A red cross on a white ground
The cross of St George, the patron saint of England, is a red cross on a white ground. It is one of the three crosses that make up the Union Flag, alongside the cross of St Andrew representing Scotland and the cross of St Patrick representing Ireland.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 9 · Britain since 1945
Who succeeded Theresa May as Prime Minister?
- A.Jeremy Corbyn
- B.Gordon Brown
- C.David Cameron
- D.Boris Johnson
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D. Boris Johnson
Theresa May was succeeded as Prime Minister by Boris Johnson on 24 July 2019. The UK formally left the European Union shortly after, on 31 January 2020.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 10 · Britain since 1945
What was the outcome of the referendum held on 23 June 2016 on the UK's membership of the European Union?
- A.The referendum was cancelled before a result was reached
- B.The UK voted to remain in the European Union
- C.The UK voted to leave the European Union
- D.The result was a tie and a second referendum was called
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C. The UK voted to leave the European Union
The referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union was held on 23 June 2016. The UK voted to leave the European Union, with 51.9% voting to leave and 48.1% voting to remain.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 11 · Early Britain
What were the first people to live in Britain during the Stone Age?
- A.Farmers
- B.Fishermen
- C.Hunter-gatherers
- D.Traders
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C. Hunter-gatherers
The first people to live in Britain were hunter-gatherers, living in what we call the Stone Age. They followed herds of deer and horses which they hunted.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 12 · Arts and culture
Which novel was voted the UK's best-loved book in 2003?
- A.Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
- B.The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
- C.Harry Potter by JK Rowling
- D.Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
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B. The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
In 2003, The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien was voted the UK's best-loved novel.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 13 · Arts and culture
What is the Man Booker Prize for Fiction awarded for?
- A.The best fiction novel by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe
- B.The best novel from any author around the world
- C.The best debut novel by a Commonwealth author
- D.The best fiction novel by a British author
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A. The best fiction novel by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe
The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is awarded annually for the best fiction novel written by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe. It has been awarded since 1968.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 14 · Arts and culture
Which of the following are past winners of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction?
- A.Hilary Mantel
- B.Ian Fleming
- C.Ian McEwan
- D.Harold Pinter
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A. Hilary Mantel · C. Ian McEwan
Past winners of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction include Ian McEwan, Hilary Mantel and Julian Barnes. The prize is awarded annually for the best fiction novel by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 15 · Arts and culture
Which two novels did Jane Austen write?
- A.Great Expectations
- B.Pride and Prejudice
- C.Far from the Madding Crowd
- D.Sense and Sensibility
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B. Pride and Prejudice · D. Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English novelist whose books include Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Her novels are concerned with marriage and family relationships and many have been made into television programmes or films.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 16 · Arts and culture
Which Charles Dickens character is used in everyday speech to describe a mean person?
- A.Oliver Twist
- B.Scrooge
- C.Mr Micawber
- D.Pip
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B. Scrooge
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote many famous novels. Some of his characters are still referenced in everyday speech, such as Scrooge, which is used to describe a mean person, and Mr Micawber, which describes someone who is always hopeful.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 17 · Arts and culture
What was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle best known for writing?
- A.Stories about James Bond, one of the first fictional spies
- B.Stories about Sherlock Holmes, one of the first fictional detectives
- C.Children's books enjoyed by readers worldwide
- D.Satirical novels about British society
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B. Stories about Sherlock Holmes, one of the first fictional detectives
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a Scottish doctor and writer best known for his stories about Sherlock Holmes, who was one of the first fictional detectives.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 18 · Respecting the law
Which TWO of the following are examples of civil law in the UK?
- A.Selling tobacco to minors
- B.Consumer disputes over faulty goods
- C.Carrying a weapon in public
- D.Employment disputes over unfair dismissal
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B. Consumer disputes over faulty goods · D. Employment disputes over unfair dismissal
Employment law disputes such as unfair dismissal and consumer rights disputes over faulty goods are both examples of civil law. Carrying a weapon and selling tobacco to minors are criminal offences.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 19 · Respecting the law
Which TWO of the following are part of the job of the police in the UK?
- A.Sentence criminals
- B.Prevent and detect crime
- C.Protect life and property
- D.Prosecute offenders in court
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B. Prevent and detect crime · C. Protect life and property
The job of the police in the UK is to protect life and property, prevent disturbances (keeping the peace) and prevent and detect crime. Prosecuting and sentencing offenders is the role of the courts, not the police.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 20 · Respecting the law
What is another term for the police role of preventing disturbances?
- A.Keeping the peace
- B.Protecting life and property
- C.Detecting crime
- D.Prosecuting offenders
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A. Keeping the peace
Preventing disturbances is also known as keeping the peace, which is one of the key roles of the police in the UK alongside protecting life and property and preventing and detecting crime.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 21 · Respecting the law
Who heads the separate police forces in the UK?
- A.The Prime Minister
- B.The Lord Chancellor
- C.Chief Constables
- D.The Home Secretary
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C. Chief Constables
The police in the UK are organised into a number of separate police forces headed by Chief Constables. They are independent of the government.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 22 · Respecting the law
The police forces in the UK are independent of the government.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
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A. True
The police in the UK are independent of the government. They are organised into a number of separate police forces headed by Chief Constables.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 23 · Chapter 2: What is the UK?
What are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man referred to as?
- A.Crown dependencies
- B.Self-governing regions
- C.Devolved nations
- D.British overseas territories
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A. Crown dependencies
The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are closely linked with the UK but are not part of it. They have their own governments and are called Crown dependencies.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 24 · Becoming a permanent resident
Which TWO requirements must be met to apply for permanent residency or citizenship in the UK?
- A.Have a good understanding of life in the UK
- B.Have a job offer from a UK employer
- C.Speak and read English
- D.Have lived in the UK for at least 10 years
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A. Have a good understanding of life in the UK · C. Speak and read English
To apply to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK, you must speak and read English and have a good understanding of life in the UK.
Read this in the study guide
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