Free practice test 21
Life in the UK Practice Test 21
24 questions on the Middle Ages, Leisure and the government. 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 · The Middle Ages
What was the system of land ownership used by the Normans called?
- A.The Danelaw
- B.The clan system
- C.The manorial system
- D.Feudalism
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D. Feudalism
The Normans used a system of land ownership known as feudalism, in which the king gave land to his lords in return for help in war.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 2 · The Middle Ages
Under the feudal system, what were serfs required to do in exchange for a small area of their lord's land?
- A.Pay taxes to the king and serve in the army
- B.Fight in wars and pay rent to their lord
- C.Build castles and maintain roads for their lord
- D.Work for their lord and were tied to the land, unable to leave without permission
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D. Work for their lord and were tied to the land, unable to leave without permission
Under the feudal system, serfs had a small area of their lord's land where they could grow food. In return, they had to work for their lord and were tied to the land, meaning they could not leave or move away without permission.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 3 · The Middle Ages
In the north of Scotland and Ireland, how was land owned during the Middle Ages?
- A.By the king under the feudal system
- B.By elected local leaders
- C.By members of clans
- D.By the Church and religious institutions
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C. By members of clans
In the north of Scotland and Ireland, land was owned by members of clans, which were prominent families, rather than under the feudal system used in England and southern Scotland.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 4 · The Middle Ages
What was the Black Death, which came to Britain in 1348?
- A.A series of Viking raids on British coastal towns
- B.A severe famine that devastated crops across Britain
- C.A disease, probably a form of plague
- D.A period of extreme cold that killed livestock and crops
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C. A disease, probably a form of plague
In 1348, a disease known as the Black Death, probably a form of plague, came to Britain. It killed one third of the population of England and a similar proportion in Scotland and Wales.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 5 · The Middle Ages
What proportion of England's population died as a result of the Black Death in 1348?
- A.Two thirds
- B.One quarter
- C.One third
- D.One half
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C. One third
One third of the population of England died as a result of the Black Death in 1348, with a similar proportion dying in Scotland and Wales.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 6 · The Middle Ages
What were the social consequences of the Black Death in Britain?
- A.The population grew rapidly and new towns were built
- B.Peasants demanded lower taxes and the feudal system was strengthened
- C.The Church gained greater power and landowners became poorer
- D.Labour shortages led peasants to demand higher wages and new social classes emerged
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D. Labour shortages led peasants to demand higher wages and new social classes emerged
Following the Black Death, labour shortages meant peasants began to demand higher wages. New social classes appeared, including owners of large areas of land called the gentry, and people left the countryside to live in towns where a strong middle class developed.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 7 · The Middle Ages
What effect did the Black Death have on the area controlled by the English in Ireland?
- A.It remained unchanged as the English were unaffected
- B.It expanded as Irish people fled to the countryside
- C.It doubled in size as weakened Irish lords surrendered their lands
- D.It became smaller as the Black Death killed many in the Pale
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D. It became smaller as the Black Death killed many in the Pale
In Ireland, the Black Death killed many in the Pale, the area around Dublin controlled by the English, and for a time the area controlled by the English became smaller.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 8 · The Middle Ages
What were the origins of Parliament in the Middle Ages?
- A.Meetings of English and Scottish nobles
- B.Meetings of Anglo-Saxon tribal leaders
- C.The king's council of advisers
- D.Courts established by William the Conqueror
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C. The king's council of advisers
Parliament's origins can be traced to the king's council of advisers, which included important noblemen and the leaders of the Church.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 9 · The Middle Ages
What did the Magna Carta establish in 1215?
- A.That the king had absolute power over his noblemen
- B.That Parliament would have the power to remove the king
- C.That even the king was subject to the law
- D.That the Church would have authority over the king's decisions
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C. That even the king was subject to the law
In 1215, King John was forced by his noblemen to agree to the Magna Carta (the Great Charter). It established that even the king was subject to the law, protected the rights of the nobility and restricted the king's power to collect taxes or make and change laws.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 10 · The Middle Ages
What does Magna Carta mean in English?
- A.The Great Law
- B.The Great Contract
- C.The Great Constitution
- D.The Great Charter
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D. The Great Charter
Magna Carta is a Latin term meaning the Great Charter. It was signed in 1215 and established that even the king was subject to the law.
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 · Leisure
What record does Ealing Studios claim to hold?
- A.It is the largest film studio in the world
- B.It is the oldest continuously working film studio facility in the world
- C.It is the most successful film studio in Europe
- D.It produced the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises
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B. It is the oldest continuously working film studio facility in the world
Ealing Studios has a claim to being the oldest continuously working film studio facility in the world. It is one of many examples of Britain's strong and long-standing film industry.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 13 · Arts and culture
What type of painting was Thomas Gainsborough best known for?
- A.Religious paintings in bright colours
- B.Portrait paintings often set in country or garden scenery
- C.Abstract paintings in a modern style
- D.Landscape paintings of the English countryside
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B. Portrait paintings often set in country or garden scenery
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) was a portrait painter who often painted people in country or garden scenery.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 14 · Leisure
What are the BAFTA awards considered the British equivalent of?
- A.The Oscars
- B.The Emmy Awards
- C.The Cannes Film Festival
- D.The Golden Globes
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A. The Oscars
The annual British Academy Film Awards, hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), are the British equivalent of the Oscars.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 15 · Leisure
Which film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock?
- A.Lawrence of Arabia
- B.The 39 Steps
- C.The Third Man
- D.Brief Encounter
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B. The 39 Steps
The 39 Steps was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1935.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 16 · Leisure
Which TWO of the following films were directed by David Lean?
- A.Lawrence of Arabia
- B.Chariots of Fire
- C.The Third Man
- D.Brief Encounter
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A. Lawrence of Arabia · D. Brief Encounter
Brief Encounter (1945) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962) were both directed by David Lean.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 17 · Leisure
Which film was directed by Hugh Hudson?
- A.Chariots of Fire
- B.Touching the Void
- C.The Killing Fields
- D.Four Weddings and a Funeral
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A. Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire was released in 1981 and directed by Hugh Hudson.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 18 · The government
How are local authorities in the UK funded?
- A.By central government and local taxes
- B.Only by local taxes
- C.By the European Union and local taxes
- D.Only by central government
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A. By central government and local taxes
Local authorities in the UK are funded by money from central government and by local taxes. They provide a range of services in their areas.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 19 · The government
What is the role of a mayor in most local authorities in the UK?
- A.The ceremonial leader of the council
- B.The chair of the local planning committee
- C.The coordinator of national policies
- D.The effective leader of the administration
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A. The ceremonial leader of the council
In most local authorities, a mayor is appointed as the ceremonial leader of the council. In some towns however, a mayor is elected to be the effective leader of the administration.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 20 · The government
How many local authorities does London have?
- A.33
- B.12
- C.40
- D.25
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A. 33
London has 33 local authorities, with the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London coordinating policies across the capital.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 21 · The government
What are democratically elected councils in the UK commonly known as?
- A.Local committees
- B.Local authorities
- C.Local assemblies
- D.Regional councils
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B. Local authorities
Towns, cities and rural areas in the UK are governed by democratically elected councils, commonly known as local authorities. Some areas have both district and county councils with different functions, while most large towns and cities have a single local authority.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 22 · The government
In which year were both the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament established?
- A.2001
- B.1999
- C.1995
- D.2003
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B. 1999
The Welsh Assembly (now called the Senedd) and the Scottish Parliament were both established in 1999, as part of the devolution of powers from central government that began in 1997.
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
Which TWO of the following are fundamental principles of British life?
- A.The rule of law
- B.Monarchy
- C.Democracy
- D.State religion
Show answer
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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