Free practice test 7
Life in the UK Practice Test 7
24 questions on Britain since 1945, Arts and culture and How you can support your community. 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 · Britain since 1945
What was significant about the radio telescope Sir Bernard Lovell built at Jodrell Bank?
- A.It was for many years the biggest radio telescope in the world and still operates today
- B.It was used to make the first television broadcast in Britain
- C.It was built to track enemy aircraft during the Second World War
- D.It was the first telescope to detect radio waves from space
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A. It was for many years the biggest radio telescope in the world and still operates today
Sir Bernard Lovell, who came to astronomy through his work on radar, built a radio telescope at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire. It was for many years the biggest in the world and continues to operate today.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 2 · Britain since 1945
What did Alan Turing invent in the 1930s that was influential in the development of computer science?
- A.The Turing machine
- B.The radar system
- C.The jet engine
- D.The World Wide Web
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A. The Turing machine
Alan Turing invented the Turing machine, a theoretical mathematical device, in the 1930s. The theory was influential in the development of computer science and the modern-day computer.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 3 · Britain since 1945
What was Scottish physician John Macleod the co-discoverer of?
- A.The MRI scanner
- B.The structure of DNA
- C.Penicillin
- D.Insulin
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D. Insulin
Scottish physician and researcher John Macleod was the co-discoverer of insulin, which is used to treat diabetes.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 4 · 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 5 · Britain since 1945
Which British scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule?
- A.Sir Peter Mansfield
- B.Francis Crick
- C.Sir Robert Edwards
- D.Alan Turing
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B. Francis Crick
The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered in 1953 through work at British universities in London and Cambridge. Francis Crick was one of those awarded the Nobel Prize for this discovery, which contributed to many scientific advances, particularly in medicine and fighting crime.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 6 · Britain since 1945
Who developed the jet engine in Britain in the 1930s?
- A.Sir Frank Whittle
- B.Sir Christopher Cockerell
- C.James Goodfellow
- D.Sir Robert Watson-Watt
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A. Sir Frank Whittle
The jet engine was developed in Britain in the 1930s by Sir Frank Whittle, a British Royal Air Force engineer officer. His invention revolutionised air travel and transformed modern aviation.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 7 · Britain since 1945
Who invented the hovercraft in the 1950s?
- A.James Goodfellow
- B.Alan Turing
- C.Sir Frank Whittle
- D.Sir Christopher Cockerell
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D. Sir Christopher Cockerell
Sir Christopher Cockerell, a British inventor, invented the hovercraft in the 1950s. The hovercraft is a vehicle capable of travelling over both land and water on a cushion of air.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 8 · Britain since 1945
What was Concorde, and which two countries developed it?
- A.A supersonic passenger aircraft developed by Britain and France
- B.A supersonic fighter jet developed by Britain and the United States
- C.A supersonic military aircraft developed by Britain and Russia
- D.A long-range passenger aircraft developed by Britain and Germany
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A. A supersonic passenger aircraft developed by Britain and France
Britain and France jointly developed Concorde, the supersonic passenger aircraft. It first flew in 1969, began carrying passengers in 1976 and was retired from service in 2003.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 9 · Britain since 1945
Who invented the cash-dispensing ATM in the 1960s?
- A.Sir Christopher Cockerell
- B.Sir Frank Whittle
- C.James Goodfellow
- D.Alan Turing
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C. James Goodfellow
James Goodfellow invented the cash-dispensing ATM (automatic teller machine) or 'cashpoint' in the 1960s. The first one was put into use by Barclays Bank in Enfield, north London in 1967.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 10 · Britain since 1945
Who pioneered IVF therapy in Britain, leading to the birth of the world's first test-tube baby in 1978?
- A.Sir Robert Edwards and Sir Peter Mansfield
- B.Sir Peter Mansfield and Francis Crick
- C.Sir Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe
- D.Sir Ian Wilmot and Keith Campbell
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C. Sir Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe
IVF therapy was pioneered in Britain by physiologist Sir Robert Edwards and gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe. The world's first test-tube baby was born in 1978.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 11 · Britain since 1945
In 1996, which British scientists led the team that first successfully cloned a mammal?
- A.Sir Ian Wilmot and Keith Campbell
- B.Francis Crick and Sir Peter Mansfield
- C.Sir Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe
- D.Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Alan Turing
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A. Sir Ian Wilmot and Keith Campbell
In 1996, Sir Ian Wilmot and Keith Campbell led a team that was the first to successfully clone a mammal — Dolly the sheep. This led to further research into the possible use of cloning to preserve endangered species and for medical purposes.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 12 · Arts and culture
Which of the following are well-known art galleries in London?
- A.The National Museum in Cardiff
- B.The Scottish National Gallery
- C.Tate Britain
- D.Tate Modern
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C. Tate Britain · D. Tate Modern
Some of the most well-known art galleries in the UK include The National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern in London, the National Museum in Cardiff, and the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 13 · Arts and culture
In which city is the Scottish National Gallery located?
- A.Aberdeen
- B.Glasgow
- C.Edinburgh
- D.Dundee
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C. Edinburgh
The Scottish National Gallery is located in Edinburgh. Other well-known galleries in the UK include The National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern in London, and the National Museum in Cardiff.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 14 · Arts and culture
What was Sir John Lavery best known for painting?
- A.Landscapes of Northern Ireland
- B.Portraits, including the Royal Family
- C.Religious scenes in bright colours
- D.Abstract bronze sculptures
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B. Portraits, including the Royal Family
Sir John Lavery (1856-1941) was a very successful Northern Irish portrait painter whose work included painting the Royal Family.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 15 · Arts and culture
Which artist is credited with raising the profile of landscape painting in Britain?
- A.David Hockney
- B.Joseph Turner
- C.John Constable
- D.Thomas Gainsborough
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B. Joseph Turner
Joseph Turner (1775-1851) was an influential landscape painter in a modern style. He is considered the artist who raised the profile of landscape painting.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 16 · Arts and culture
What nationality was the painter David Allan?
- A.Welsh
- B.Irish
- C.English
- D.Scottish
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D. Scottish
David Allan (1744-96) was a Scottish painter best known for painting portraits. One of his most famous works is called The Origin of Painting.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 17 · Arts and culture
What is Henry Moore best known for?
- A.His engravings and stained glass
- B.His large bronze abstract sculptures
- C.His landscape paintings in a modern style
- D.His portraits of the Royal Family
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B. His large bronze abstract sculptures
Henry Moore (1898-1986) was an English sculptor and artist best known for his large bronze abstract sculptures.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 18 · How you can support your community
Which TWO of the following can stand for office as a local councillor or member of Parliament in the UK?
- A.Any foreign national
- B.British citizens
- C.EU citizens
- D.Eligible Commonwealth citizens
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B. British citizens · D. Eligible Commonwealth citizens
British citizens can stand for office as a local councillor or member of Parliament. Irish citizens and eligible Commonwealth citizens may also be able to stand for office.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 19 · The British constitution
Which parts of the UK have devolved governments with power to legislate on certain issues?
- A.England only
- B.Scotland only
- C.Wales only
- D.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
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D. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Devolved governments exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and each has the power to legislate on certain issues.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 20 · How you can support your community
Which TWO of the following organisations may advertise for volunteers to serve on their governing bodies?
- A.Universities and housing associations
- B.Banks and insurance companies
- C.Museums and arts councils
- D.Police forces and the military
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A. Universities and housing associations · C. Museums and arts councils
Universities, housing associations, museums and arts councils may advertise for people to serve as volunteers in their governing bodies.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 21 · How you can support your community
Which TWO of the following are ways you can volunteer with the police in the UK?
- A.As a court judge
- B.As a traffic warden
- C.As a special constable
- D.As a lay representative
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C. As a special constable · D. As a lay representative
You can volunteer with the police as a special constable or as a lay (non-police) representative. You can also apply to become a magistrate as a separate voluntary role.
Read this in the study guideQuestion 22 · How you can support your community
Which of the following is a voluntary role in the UK justice system that members of the public can apply for?
- A.Solicitor
- B.Barrister
- C.Magistrate
- D.Judge
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C. Magistrate
Members of the public can apply to become a magistrate. You can also volunteer with the police as a special constable or a lay representative.
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 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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