Free practice test 23
Life in the UK Practice Test 23
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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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 Middle Ages
Which of the following words in modern English are based on Norman French?
- A.'Apple' and 'summer'
- B.'Park' and 'beauty'
- C.'Summer' and 'demand'
- D.'Cow' and 'ask'
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B. 'Park' and 'beauty'
Some words in modern English, such as 'park' and 'beauty', are based on Norman French words, while others such as 'apple', 'cow' and 'summer' are based on Anglo-Saxon words.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 2 · The Middle Ages
In modern English, which two words are examples of similar meanings coming from French and Anglo-Saxon respectively?
- A.'Apple' (French) and 'cow' (Anglo-Saxon)
- B.'Demand' (French) and 'ask' (Anglo-Saxon)
- C.'Park' (French) and 'beauty' (Anglo-Saxon)
- D.'Ask' (French) and 'demand' (Anglo-Saxon)
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B. 'Demand' (French) and 'ask' (Anglo-Saxon)
In modern English there are often two words with very similar meanings, one from French and one from Anglo-Saxon. 'Demand' comes from French and 'ask' comes from Anglo-Saxon and are examples of this.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 3 · The Middle Ages
What is The Canterbury Tales?
- A.A history of the city of Canterbury written by William Caxton
- B.A collection of laws written by King Edward I
- C.A series of plays about the Norman Conquest
- D.A collection of poems by Geoffrey Chaucer about people going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury
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D. A collection of poems by Geoffrey Chaucer about people going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury
The Canterbury Tales is a collection of poems by Geoffrey Chaucer, written around 1400, about a group of people going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury and the stories they told each other on the journey.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 4 · The Middle Ages
Who was William Caxton and what was his significance in English history?
- A.A monk who translated the Bible into English
- B.A poet who wrote The Canterbury Tales
- C.A Norman nobleman who introduced the feudal system
- D.The first person in England to print books using a printing press
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D. The first person in England to print books using a printing press
William Caxton was the first person in England to print books using a printing press. One of the first books he printed was The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 5 · The Middle Ages
Which language did many people in medieval Scotland continue to speak?
- A.Norman French
- B.Gaelic
- C.Anglo-Saxon
- D.Latin
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B. Gaelic
In Scotland, many people continued to speak Gaelic while the Scots language also developed. A number of poets began to write in the Scots language.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 6 · The Middle Ages
What did the Scottish poet John Barbour write about?
- A.The Norman Conquest
- B.The Viking invasions of Scotland
- C.The Battle of Bannockburn
- D.The life of Kenneth MacAlpin
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C. The Battle of Bannockburn
John Barbour was a Scottish poet who wrote The Bruce, a poem about the Battle of Bannockburn, in the Scots language.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 7 · The Middle Ages
Which two castles from the Middle Ages are still in use today?
- A.Windsor and Conwy
- B.Edinburgh and Caernarvon
- C.Windsor and Edinburgh
- D.Conwy and Caernarvon
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C. Windsor and Edinburgh
Many castles built during the Middle Ages are now in ruins, but some, such as Windsor and Edinburgh, are still in use today.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 8 · The Middle Ages
Which of the following is a great cathedral built in Britain during the Middle Ages?
- A.Canterbury Cathedral
- B.Lincoln Cathedral
- C.York Minster
- D.Westminster Abbey
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B. Lincoln Cathedral
Many great cathedrals were built in Britain during the Middle Ages, including Lincoln Cathedral. Many of these are still used for worship today.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 9 · The Middle Ages
What became a very important export from England during the Middle Ages?
- A.Coal
- B.Iron and steel
- C.Wool
- D.Timber
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C. Wool
During the Middle Ages, England was an important trading nation and English wool became a very important export.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 10 · 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 11 · 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 12 · Leisure
What discount on a TV licence are blind people entitled to?
- A.Free licence
- B.25% discount
- C.75% discount
- D.50% discount
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D. 50% discount
Blind people can get a 50% discount on their TV licence. People over 75 can apply for a free TV licence.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 13 · Leisure
What is the maximum fine for watching TV without a licence in the UK?
- A.£2,000
- B.£1,000
- C.£750
- D.£500
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B. £1,000
You will receive a fine of up to £1,000 if you watch TV but do not have a TV licence in the UK.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 14 · Leisure
What is the BBC?
- A.A subscription-based broadcaster funded by viewers
- B.A public service broadcaster independent of the government
- C.A government broadcaster controlled by the state
- D.A commercial broadcaster funded through advertisements
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B. A public service broadcaster independent of the government
The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is a public service broadcaster providing television and radio programmes. Although it receives some state funding, it is independent of the government. It is the largest broadcaster in the world.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 15 · Leisure
The BBC is the largest broadcaster in the world.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
Show answer
A. True
The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is the largest broadcaster in the world. It is a public service broadcaster funded by TV licences, and although it receives some state funding, it is independent of the government.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 16 · Leisure
How is the BBC primarily funded?
- A.Through government funding
- B.Through advertisements
- C.Through subscriptions
- D.Through TV licences
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D. Through TV licences
The money from TV licences is used to pay for the BBC. Although it receives some state funding, it is independent of the government. Other UK channels are primarily funded through advertisements and subscriptions.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 17 · Leisure
How are BBC radio stations funded?
- A.Through subscriptions
- B.Through advertisements
- C.Through TV licences
- D.Through government funding
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C. Through TV licences
BBC radio stations, like BBC television, are funded by TV licences. Other radio stations in the UK are funded through advertisements.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 18 · The government
How often are elections to the Senedd held?
- A.Every three years
- B.Every five years
- C.Every four years
- D.Every two years
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C. Every four years
Elections to the Senedd are held every four years using a form of proportional representation.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 19 · The government
Senedd members may conduct business and speak in Welsh or English.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
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A. True
Members of the Senedd can speak in either Welsh or English, and all of the Senedd's publications are produced in both languages.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 20 · The government
Each devolved administration in the UK has its own civil servants.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
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A. True
Each devolved administration — in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — has its own civil servants.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 21 · The government
Health and social services is one of the areas in which the Senedd has the power to make laws for Wales.
- A.True
- B.False
- C.-
- D.-
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A. True
Health and social services is one of the areas in which the Senedd has the power to make laws for Wales. Other devolved areas include education and training, economic development, and housing.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 22 · The government
How many members does the Scottish Parliament have?
- A.129
- B.108
- C.60
- D.150
Show answer
A. 129
The Scottish Parliament has 129 members, known as MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament), elected by a form of proportional representation. The Scottish Parliament can pass laws on all matters not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament.
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
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
Show answer
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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