Free practice test 14
Life in the UK Practice Test 14
24 questions on Early Britain, Customs and traditions and Taxation. 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 · Early Britain
What did the Romans introduce to Britain during their 400-year occupation?
- A.A written language, democracy, a postal system and the first universities
- B.Coinage, iron tools, hill forts and the Celtic language
- C.Roads, public buildings, a structure of law, new plants and animals, and the first Christian communities
- D.Printing, gunpowder, a national army and the first schools
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C. Roads, public buildings, a structure of law, new plants and animals, and the first Christian communities
During their 400-year occupation, the Romans built roads and public buildings, created a structure of law, introduced new plants and animals, and it was during this period that the first Christian communities began to appear in Britain in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 2 · Early Britain
During which centuries did the first Christian communities begin to appear in Britain?
- A.The 1st and 2nd centuries AD
- B.The 3rd and 4th centuries AD
- C.The 5th and 6th centuries AD
- D.The 2nd and 3rd centuries AD
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B. The 3rd and 4th centuries AD
It was during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD that the first Christian communities began to appear in Britain, during the period of Roman occupation.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 3 · Early Britain
In what year did the Roman army leave Britain?
- A.AD 600
- B.AD 376
- C.AD 450
- D.AD 410
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D. AD 410
The Roman army left Britain in AD 410 to defend other parts of the Roman Empire and never returned.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 4 · Early Britain
Which three tribes invaded Britain after the Romans left?
- A.The Jutes, the Vikings and the Saxons
- B.The Jutes, the Angles and the Saxons
- C.The Normans, the Angles and the Saxons
- D.The Picts, the Angles and the Saxons
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B. The Jutes, the Angles and the Saxons
After the Romans left in AD 410, Britain was invaded by three tribes from northern Europe: the Jutes, the Angles and the Saxons.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 5 · Early Britain
What is the connection between the languages spoken by the Jutes, Angles and Saxons and modern English?
- A.Their languages had no influence on modern English
- B.Their languages merged with Latin to form modern English
- C.Their languages evolved into modern Welsh and Scottish Gaelic
- D.Their languages are the basis of modern-day English
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D. Their languages are the basis of modern-day English
The languages spoken by the Jutes, Angles and Saxons are the basis of modern-day English.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 6 · Early Britain
From which two countries did the Vikings come?
- A.Sweden and Norway
- B.Denmark and Norway
- C.Finland and Norway
- D.Denmark and Sweden
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B. Denmark and Norway
The Vikings came from Denmark and Norway. They first visited Britain in AD 789 to raid coastal towns and take away goods and slaves, before eventually settling and forming communities in the east of England and Scotland.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 7 · Early Britain
In what year did the Vikings first visit Britain, and what was their purpose?
- A.AD 789, to trade with coastal towns
- B.AD 789, to raid coastal towns and take away goods and slaves
- C.AD 789, to settle and form communities
- D.AD 600, to raid coastal towns and take away goods and slaves
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B. AD 789, to raid coastal towns and take away goods and slaves
The Vikings first visited Britain in AD 789 to raid coastal towns and take away goods and slaves. They later began to stay and form their own communities.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 8 · Early Britain
Which Anglo-Saxon king defeated the Vikings?
- A.King Canute
- B.King Ethelred
- C.King Alfred the Great
- D.King Harold
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C. King Alfred the Great
The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England united under King Alfred the Great, who defeated the Vikings.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 9 · Early Britain
What was the name given to the area of England where many Viking settlers lived?
- A.The Anglo-Saxon Belt
- B.The Viking Lands
- C.The Norse Territory
- D.The Danelaw
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D. The Danelaw
Many Viking invaders stayed in Britain, especially in the east and north of England, in an area known as the Danelaw. Many place names there, such as Grimsby and Scunthorpe, come from the Viking languages.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 10 · Early Britain
Which two place names in England are examples of Viking language influence in the Danelaw?
- A.Norwich and Lincoln (cities)
- B.York and Durham (cities)
- C.Grimsby and Scunthorpe (towns)
- D.Manchester and Liverpool (cities)
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C. Grimsby and Scunthorpe (towns)
Many place names in the Danelaw, such as Grimsby and Scunthorpe, come from the Viking languages, reflecting the lasting influence of Viking settlers in the east and north of England.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 11 · Early Britain
Who united the people of the north of Britain as one king, partly due to the threat of Viking attacks?
- A.King Alfred the Great
- B.Kenneth MacAlpin
- C.King Harold
- D.Cnut
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B. Kenneth MacAlpin
The threat of Viking attacks encouraged the people of the north to unite under one king, Kenneth MacAlpin. The term Scotland began to be used to describe that country.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 12 · Customs and traditions
Which of the following are traditional foods eaten on Christmas Day in the UK?
- A.Roast lamb and Christmas pudding
- B.Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding
- C.Roast turkey and Christmas pudding
- D.Fish and chips and mince pies
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C. Roast turkey and Christmas pudding
Christmas is celebrated in a traditional way in the UK. People usually spend the day at home and eat a special meal which often includes roast turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 13 · Customs and traditions
What is Father Christmas also known as?
- A.Saint Patrick
- B.Saint Nicholas
- C.Saint Christopher
- D.Santa Claus
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D. Santa Claus
Very young children in the UK believe that Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, brings them presents during the night before Christmas Day.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 14 · Customs and traditions
Boxing Day is a public holiday in the UK.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
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A. True
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day, on 26 December, and is a public holiday in the UK.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 15 · Customs and traditions
What does Easter Sunday mark?
- A.The rising of Jesus Christ from the dead
- B.The baptism of Jesus Christ
- C.The birth of Jesus Christ
- D.The death of Jesus Christ
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A. The rising of Jesus Christ from the dead
Easter takes place in March or April. It marks the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. Both Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 16 · Customs and traditions
Which two days are public holidays at Easter in the UK?
- A.Easter Saturday
- B.Good Friday
- C.Easter Sunday
- D.Easter Monday
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B. Good Friday · D. Easter Monday
Easter takes place in March or April. Good Friday marks the death of Jesus Christ and Easter Sunday marks his rising from the dead. Both Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in the UK.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 17 · Customs and traditions
What is the period of 40 days before Easter known as?
- A.Epiphany
- B.Advent
- C.Pentecost
- D.Lent
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D. Lent
The 40 days before Easter are known as Lent. It is a time when Christians reflect and prepare for Easter. Traditionally people would fast during this period and today many people give something up, like a favourite food.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 18 · Taxation
What is the name of the system where income tax is automatically deducted from employment income by an employer?
- A.Self-assessment
- B.National Insurance
- C.Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
- D.Tax return
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C. Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is the system where the right amount of income tax is automatically taken from employment income by an employer and paid directly to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Read this in the study guideQuestion 19 · Taxation
How do self-employed people pay their income tax in the UK?
- A.Through their local council
- B.Through the PAYE system
- C.Through their employer
- D.Through self-assessment
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D. Through self-assessment
Self-employed people in the UK pay their own tax through a system called self-assessment, which includes completing a tax return. Employed people have their tax automatically deducted through the PAYE system.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 20 · Taxation
What is the name of the government department that collects taxes in the UK?
- A.HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- B.The Department for Work and Pensions
- C.The Home Office
- D.The Treasury
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A. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the government department responsible for collecting taxes in the UK. Income tax for most employees is paid directly to HMRC through the PAYE system.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 21 · Taxation
What are National Insurance Contributions used to fund?
- A.Education and the police
- B.The state retirement pension and the NHS
- C.Local council services and housing
- D.Roads and the armed forces
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B. The state retirement pension and the NHS
National Insurance Contributions are used to pay for state benefits and services such as the state retirement pension and the National Health Service (NHS).
Read this in the study guideQuestion 22 · Taxation
Who must pay National Insurance Contributions in the UK?
- A.Almost everybody in paid work, including the self-employed
- B.Only employees who have worked in the UK for more than a year
- C.Only full-time workers earning above £30,000
- D.Only employees, not self-employed people
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A. Almost everybody in paid work, including the self-employed
Almost everybody in the UK who is in paid work, including self-employed people, must pay National Insurance Contributions.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 23 · Chapter 2: What is the UK?
Which TWO of the following have their own parliaments or assemblies with devolved powers?
- A.Yorkshire
- B.Northern Ireland
- C.Scotland
- D.Cornwall
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B. Northern Ireland · C. Scotland
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own parliaments or assemblies with devolved powers in defined areas. The UK as a whole is governed by the parliament sitting in Westminster.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 24 · The values and principles of the UK
What happens at a UK citizenship ceremony?
- A.New citizens pledge loyalty to the UK, to uphold its democratic values and to observe its laws
- B.New citizens pledge loyalty to the UK and to pay all taxes on time
- C.New citizens pledge loyalty to the monarch and the Church of England
- D.New citizens pledge loyalty to the government and the Prime Minister
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A. New citizens pledge loyalty to the UK, to uphold its democratic values and to observe its laws
As part of the citizenship ceremony, new citizens pledge to give their loyalty to the United Kingdom, respect its rights and freedoms, uphold its democratic values, observe its laws faithfully and fulfil their duties and obligations as a British citizen.
Read this in the study guide
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