Free practice test 12
Life in the UK Practice Test 12
24 questions on Early Britain, 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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Every answer below is marked, with a short explanation and a link to the part of the official handbook it comes from.
Question 1 · Early Britain
How did Stone Age hunter-gatherers travel to Britain?
- A.Across a land bridge that connected Britain to the continent
- B.Britain has always been an island and was never connected to the continent
- C.By following river routes through northern Europe
- D.By boat across the English Channel
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A. Across a land bridge that connected Britain to the continent
During the Stone Age, Britain was connected to the continent by a land bridge. Hunter-gatherers came and went, following herds of deer and horses. Britain only became permanently separated from the continent by the Channel about 10,000 years ago.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 2 · Early Britain
Approximately how long ago did Britain become permanently separated from the continent by the Channel?
- A.Around 2,000 years ago, during the Roman period
- B.Around 5,000 years ago, at the end of the Stone Age
- C.Around 50,000 years ago, before humans first arrived in Britain
- D.Around 10,000 years ago, during the Stone Age
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D. Around 10,000 years ago, during the Stone Age
Britain became permanently separated from the continent by the Channel about 10,000 years ago. Before this, Britain was connected to the continent by a land bridge, allowing Stone Age hunter-gatherers to move freely between Britain and Europe.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 3 · Early Britain
Approximately how long ago did the first farmers arrive in Britain?
- A.8,000 years ago
- B.6,000 years ago
- C.4,000 years ago
- D.10,000 years ago
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B. 6,000 years ago
The first farmers arrived in Britain 6,000 years ago. Their ancestors probably came from south-east Europe.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 4 · Early Britain
Where did the ancestors of Britain's first farmers probably come from?
- A.Scandinavia
- B.South-east Europe
- C.North Africa
- D.The Middle East
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B. South-east Europe
The ancestors of Britain's first farmers probably came from south-east Europe. They arrived in Britain around 6,000 years ago and built houses, tombs and monuments.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 5 · Early Britain
In which English county does Stonehenge stand?
- A.Dorset
- B.Hampshire
- C.Somerset
- D.Wiltshire
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D. Wiltshire
Stonehenge still stands in the English county of Wiltshire. It was probably a special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 6 · Early Britain
What is believed to have been the purpose of Stonehenge?
- A.A special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies
- B.A marketplace for Stone Age traders
- C.A burial ground for Bronze Age kings
- D.A defensive fortification against invaders
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A. A special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies
Stonehenge, built by Britain's early farmers and still standing in the English county of Wiltshire, was probably a special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies. The ancestors of these first farmers arrived in Britain around 6,000 years ago, probably from south-east Europe.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 7 · Early Britain
What is Skara Brae on Orkney, and what is its significance?
- A.A prehistoric village; it is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe
- B.A Stone Age burial site; it is the largest in Scotland
- C.A Stone Age monument; it is the oldest monument in Europe
- D.A prehistoric settlement; it is the oldest in the world
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A. A prehistoric village; it is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe
Skara Brae on Orkney, off the north coast of Scotland, is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe. It has helped archaeologists understand more about how people lived near the end of the Stone Age.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 8 · Early Britain
Approximately how long ago did people in Britain learn to make bronze, marking the start of the Bronze Age?
- A.6,000 years ago
- B.8,000 years ago
- C.4,000 years ago
- D.2,000 years ago
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C. 4,000 years ago
Around 4,000 years ago, people in Britain learned to make bronze, marking the start of the Bronze Age.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 9 · Early Britain
What were the tombs used to bury the dead during the Bronze Age called?
- A.Hill forts
- B.Roundhouses
- C.Round barrows
- D.Stone circles
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C. Round barrows
During the Bronze Age, people buried their dead in tombs called round barrows. They also lived in roundhouses.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 10 · Early Britain
What type of objects did Bronze Age people make, demonstrating their metalworking skills?
- A.Wooden tools and clay pots
- B.Tools, ornaments and weapons in bronze and gold
- C.Iron weapons and pottery
- D.Silver coins and stone sculptures
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B. Tools, ornaments and weapons in bronze and gold
The people of the Bronze Age were accomplished metalworkers who made many beautiful objects in bronze and gold, including tools, ornaments and weapons.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 11 · Early Britain
What is the name of the impressive Iron Age hill fort that can still be seen today in the English county of Dorset?
- A.Skara Brae
- B.Stonehenge
- C.Maiden Castle
- D.Hadrian's Wall
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C. Maiden Castle
A very impressive Iron Age hill fort can still be seen today at Maiden Castle, in the English county of Dorset.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 12 · Arts and culture
Which series of books did JK Rowling write?
- A.The Lord of the Rings
- B.The Narnia Chronicles
- C.Treasure Island
- D.Harry Potter
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D. Harry Potter
JK Rowling (1965-) wrote the Harry Potter series of children's books, which have enjoyed huge international success. She now writes fiction for adults as well.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 13 · Arts and culture
Which of the following is an Anglo-Saxon poem?
- A.Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- B.Canterbury Tales
- C.Jude the Obscure
- D.Beowulf
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D. Beowulf
Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon poem that tells of its hero's battles against monsters. It is still translated into modern English today. Other surviving poems from the Middle Ages include Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 14 · Arts and culture
Which of the following are poems that survive from the Middle Ages?
- A.Beowulf
- B.The Faerie Queene
- C.Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- D.Canterbury Tales
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C. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight · D. Canterbury Tales
Poems which survive from the Middle Ages include Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a poem about one of the knights at the court of King Arthur.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 15 · Arts and culture
What is a sonnet?
- A.A poem that must be 10 lines long
- B.A poem based on a religious theme
- C.A poem that must rhyme
- D.A poem that must be 14 lines long
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D. A poem that must be 14 lines long
A sonnet is a poem that must be 14 lines long. Shakespeare wrote many sonnets as well as some longer poems alongside his famous plays.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 16 · Arts and culture
Which poet was inspired by nature?
- A.John Milton
- B.Geoffrey Chaucer
- C.William Wordsworth
- D.Sir Walter Scott
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C. William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was one of a number of poets inspired by nature. Other poets, such as Sir Walter Scott, were inspired by Scotland and the traditional stories and songs from the borders of Scotland and England.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 17 · Arts and culture
Which of the following poets wrote about their experiences in the First World War?
- A.Wilfred Owen
- B.Lord Byron
- C.Siegfried Sassoon
- D.William Blake
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A. Wilfred Owen · C. Siegfried Sassoon
Many poets were inspired to write about their experiences in the First World War, including Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Earlier 19th century poets included William Blake, John Keats, Lord Byron and Percy Shelley.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 18 · Respecting the law
Which TWO of the following are responsibilities of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs)?
- A.Prosecuting criminals in court
- B.Sentencing offenders
- C.Setting local police priorities
- D.Appointing the local Chief Constable
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C. Setting local police priorities · D. Appointing the local Chief Constable
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) set local police priorities and the local policing budget, and appoint the local Chief Constable. Prosecuting and sentencing are roles of the courts, not PCCs.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 19 · Respecting the law
What is the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in the UK?
- A.To head the local police force
- B.To patrol streets and support police officers
- C.To prosecute criminals in court
- D.To set local policing priorities
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B. To patrol streets and support police officers
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) support police officers by patrolling the streets, working with the public and supporting police officers at crime scenes and major events.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 20 · Respecting the law
Which TWO rights does a person have when arrested and taken to a police station in the UK?
- A.To be told the reason for your arrest
- B.To be given a written summary of the charges
- C.To seek legal advice
- D.To have an interpreter present at all times
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A. To be told the reason for your arrest · C. To seek legal advice
If you are arrested and taken to a police station in the UK, a police officer will tell you the reason for your arrest and you will be able to seek legal advice.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 21 · Respecting the law
How can someone make a complaint about the police in the UK?
- A.By visiting a police station or writing to the Chief Constable
- B.By contacting the Home Office directly
- C.By writing to their local MP
- D.By contacting their local MP
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A. By visiting a police station or writing to the Chief Constable
Anyone can make a complaint about the police by going to a police station and writing to the Chief Constable of the police force involved.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 22 · Respecting the law
Who should you contact in Northern Ireland if you wish to make a complaint about the police?
- A.The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner
- B.The Home Office
- C.The Police Ombudsman's Office
- D.The Chief Constable
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C. The Police Ombudsman's Office
In Northern Ireland, complaints about the police should be directed to the Police Ombudsman's Office. In Scotland, you can contact the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 23 · Chapter 2: What is the UK?
Which TWO of the following are examples of British overseas territories?
- A.St Helena
- B.The Falkland Islands
- C.The Isle of Man
- D.The Channel Islands
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A. St Helena · B. The Falkland Islands
St Helena and the Falkland Islands are British overseas territories linked to the UK but not part of it. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies, not overseas territories.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 24 · The values and principles of the UK
Which TWO of the following are fundamental principles of British life?
- A.The rule of law
- B.Monarchy
- C.Democracy
- D.State religion
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A. The rule of law · C. Democracy
The fundamental principles of British life include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and participation in community life.
Read this in the study guide
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