Free practice test 16
Life in the UK Practice Test 16
24 questions on the 20th century, 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 · The 20th century
Approximately how many British casualties resulted from the Battle of the Somme on its first day in July 1916?
- A.Around 40,000
- B.Around 60,000
- C.Around 100,000
- D.Around 20,000
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B. Around 60,000
The British attack of the Somme in July 1916 resulted in about 60,000 British casualties on the first day alone. In total, more than 2 million British casualties were recorded during the First World War.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 2 · The 20th century
What did the British government's proposal of 'Home Rule' for Ireland mean?
- A.A self-governing Ireland with its own parliament but still part of the UK
- B.Complete independence from Britain with no ties to the UK
- C.Unification of Ireland with Scotland and Wales
- D.Direct rule of Ireland from Westminster
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A. A self-governing Ireland with its own parliament but still part of the UK
The British government's proposal of Home Rule meant a self-governing Ireland with its own parliament, but still remaining part of the UK. A Home Rule Bill was introduced in Parliament but was opposed by Protestants in the north of Ireland, who threatened to resist it by force.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 3 · The 20th century
Who opposed the Home Rule Bill for Ireland and threatened to resist it by force?
- A.The Fenians
- B.The Protestants in the north of Ireland
- C.The Catholics in the south of Ireland
- D.The British army
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B. The Protestants in the north of Ireland
In 1913, the British government proposed Home Rule for Ireland — a self-governing Ireland with its own parliament but still part of the UK. The Protestants in the north of Ireland opposed this and threatened to resist it by force.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 4 · The 20th century
What was the Easter Rising of 1916?
- A.A political campaign for Irish Home Rule in Parliament
- B.An uprising against the British in Dublin by Irish Nationalists
- C.A military attack by the British army on Irish Nationalists
- D.A peaceful protest by Irish Nationalists in London
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B. An uprising against the British in Dublin by Irish Nationalists
In 1916, Irish Nationalists who were not willing to wait for Home Rule staged an uprising against the British in Dublin, known as the Easter Rising. The leaders of the uprising were executed under military law.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 5 · The 20th century
What happened to the leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916?
- A.They were executed under military law
- B.They were imprisoned for life
- C.They were exiled to Australia
- D.They were pardoned by the British government
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A. They were executed under military law
The leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916 were executed under military law following the uprising against the British in Dublin.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 6 · The 20th century
In what year did Ireland become two separate countries following a peace treaty?
- A.1919
- B.1921
- C.1922
- D.1925
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C. 1922
A peace treaty was signed in 1921 and in 1922 Ireland became two countries — Northern Ireland, which remained part of the UK, and the Irish Free State.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 7 · The 20th century
How was Ireland divided following the peace treaty of 1921?
- A.Ireland was divided equally between Britain and France
- B.Ireland became fully independent as a single republic
- C.The six mainly Protestant counties in the north remained part of the UK as Northern Ireland, while the rest became the Irish Free State
- D.All of Ireland became an independent republic immediately
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C. The six mainly Protestant counties in the north remained part of the UK as Northern Ireland, while the rest became the Irish Free State
Following a peace treaty in 1921, Ireland became two countries in 1922. The six mainly Protestant counties in the north remained part of the UK as Northern Ireland, while the rest became the Irish Free State, which had its own government and became a republic in 1949.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 8 · The 20th century
In what year did the Irish Free State become a republic?
- A.1922
- B.1945
- C.1937
- D.1949
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D. 1949
The Irish Free State had its own government and became a republic in 1949.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 9 · The 20th century
What was 'the Troubles'?
- A.The Easter Rising of 1916 against British rule in Dublin
- B.The guerrilla war that followed the signing of the 1921 peace treaty
- C.The conflict between those wanting full Irish independence and those wishing to remain loyal to the British government
- D.The campaign for Irish Home Rule in the early 20th century
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C. The conflict between those wanting full Irish independence and those wishing to remain loyal to the British government
The conflict between those wishing for full Irish independence and those wishing to remain loyal to the British government is often referred to as 'the Troubles'. Years of disagreement led to a terror campaign in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 10 · The 20th century
What global economic event began in 1929 that caused mass unemployment in parts of the UK?
- A.The Great Depression
- B.The General Strike
- C.The Wall Street Crash
- D.The First World War
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A. The Great Depression
In 1929, the world entered the Great Depression, which caused mass unemployment in some parts of the UK, particularly affecting traditional heavy industries such as shipbuilding.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 11 · 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 12 · Customs and traditions
What is the eight-candle stand used during Hannukah called?
- A.Minaret
- B.Menorah
- C.Mandala
- D.Mezuzah
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B. Menorah
During Hannukah, a candle is lit each day on a stand of eight candles called a menorah. This is to remember the story of the festival, where oil that should have lasted only a day lasted for eight.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 13 · Customs and traditions
What does Hannukah commemorate?
- A.The birth of the Jewish faith
- B.The Jews' journey to the promised land
- C.The end of the Jewish new year
- D.The Jews' struggle for religious freedom
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D. The Jews' struggle for religious freedom
Hannukah is celebrated for eight days in November or December to remember the Jews' struggle for religious freedom. On each day a candle is lit on a menorah to remember the story of the festival.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 14 · Customs and traditions
What does Eid al-Fitr celebrate?
- A.The start of Ramadan
- B.The end of the Islamic new year
- C.The end of Ramadan
- D.The birth of the Prophet Muhammad
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C. The end of Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month. They thank Allah for giving them the strength to complete the fast. Muslims attend special services and meals.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 15 · Customs and traditions
Eid al-Fitr takes place on the same date every year.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
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B. False
The date of Eid al-Fitr changes every year. It celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month. Muslims attend special services and meals to mark the occasion.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 16 · Customs and traditions
What does Eid ul Adha commemorate?
- A.The Jews' struggle for religious freedom
- B.The birth of the prophet Muhammad
- C.The prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to
- D.The end of Ramadan
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C. The prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to
Eid ul Adha remembers that the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. It reminds Muslims of their own commitment to God. Many Muslims sacrifice an animal to eat during this festival.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 17 · Customs and traditions
What does the Sikh festival Vaisakhi celebrate?
- A.The founding of the Khalsa
- B.The birth of the first Sikh guru
- C.The founding of the Sikh holy book
- D.The end of the Sikh new year
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A. The founding of the Khalsa
Vaisakhi, also spelled Baisakhi, is a Sikh festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa. It is celebrated on 14 April each year with parades, dancing and singing.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 18 · Taxation
In Northern Ireland, what must a newly qualified driver display for one year after passing their test?
- A.An 'L' plate (learner driver)
- B.A 'N' plate (new driver)
- C.A 'P' plate (probationary driver)
- D.An 'R' plate (restricted driver)
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D. An 'R' plate (restricted driver)
In Northern Ireland, a newly qualified driver must display an 'R' plate (for restricted driver) for one year after passing their driving test.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 19 · Taxation
How long can a foreign driving licence be used in the UK before a UK licence is required?
- A.24 months
- B.18 months
- C.6 months
- D.12 months
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D. 12 months
If you have a driving licence from another country, you may use it in the UK for up to 12 months. After that, you must obtain a full UK driving licence to continue driving.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 20 · Taxation
Where must a UK resident register their car or motorcycle?
- A.The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- B.The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
- C.The Ministry of Transport (MOT)
- D.HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Show answer
A. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
If you are resident in the UK, your car or motorcycle must be registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Read this in the study guideQuestion 21 · Taxation
Driving without motor insurance in the UK is a serious criminal offence.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
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A. True
It is a serious criminal offence to drive without valid motor insurance in the UK. All drivers must have valid motor insurance.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 22 · Taxation
How often must a vehicle over three years old be taken for an MOT test in the UK?
- A.Every three years
- B.Every year
- C.Every two years
- D.Every six months
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B. Every year
In the UK, vehicles over three years old must be taken to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) test every year. It is an offence not to have a valid MOT certificate if your vehicle is more than three years old.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 23 · Chapter 2: What is the UK?
What is the official name of the UK?
- A.The United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland
- B.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- C.The United Kingdom of Great Britain
- D.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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D. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 'Great Britain' refers only to England, Scotland and Wales, not to Northern Ireland.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 24 · The values and principles of the UK
Which of the following is NOT listed as a responsibility of permanent residents and citizens in the UK?
- A.Look after the area in which you live and the environment
- B.Look after yourself and your family
- C.Vote in all local and national elections
- D.Respect the rights of others, including their right to their own opinions
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C. Vote in all local and national elections
Permanent residents and citizens of the UK are expected to respect and obey the law, respect the rights of others, treat others with fairness, look after themselves and their family, and look after the area in which they live and the environment. Voting in elections is not listed as a responsibility.
Read this in the study guide
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