Free Life in the UK mock test 8: 24 questions, 18 right to pass (75%), 45 minutes, as in the real Life in the UK test (GOV.UK). How many can you get wrong?
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Chapter 3: A long and illustrious history
To whom did Mary, Queen of Scots, give her throne?
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Life in the UK test questions and answers: mock test 8
Life in the UK mock test, free and with no account: 10 full mock tests are open to everyone. Next: Life in the UK test: free mock test 9.
Answers and explanations (text version)
All 24 questions in this mock test, each with the right answer, the reason, and where it is in Handbook. Try the test first.
Question 1. To whom did Mary, Queen of Scots, give her throne?
- A. Her cousin Elizabeth
- B. Her son James
- C. Her husband
- D. The Scottish Parliament
Answer: B. Her son James
Mary handed the throne to her Protestant son, who became James VI of Scotland.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The Tudors and Stuarts)
Question 2. In which year did the Emperor Claudius lead the Roman invasion that conquered most of Britain?
- A. 55 BC
- B. AD 410
- C. AD 43
- D. AD 789
Answer: C. AD 43
Claudius invaded in AD 43, and this time the Romans took control of almost all of Britain.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Early Britain)
Question 3. What is extremism?
- A. Strong opposition, in words or acts, to basic British values
- B. Holding a religious faith of any kind at all
- C. Belonging to a political party and voting
- D. Disagreeing in public with a policy of the government
Answer: A. Strong opposition, in words or acts, to basic British values
It means speaking out or acting against basic British values.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (Respecting the law)
Question 4. Which film was directed by Hugh Hudson?
- A. Don't Look Now
- B. Brief Encounter
- C. Chariots of Fire
- D. The 39 Steps
Answer: C. Chariots of Fire
Hugh Hudson directed Chariots of Fire in 1981.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Leisure)
Question 5. What did Queen Elizabeth II celebrate in 2012?
- A. Her coronation
- B. Her Diamond Jubilee
- C. Her 90th birthday
- D. Her golden wedding
Answer: B. Her Diamond Jubilee
In 2012 she marked 60 years on the throne, her Diamond Jubilee.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The British constitution)
Question 6. Which poet wrote The Daffodils?
- A. William Blake
- B. William Wordsworth
- C. Lord Byron
- D. Wilfred Owen
Answer: B. William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth, a poet inspired by nature, wrote The Daffodils.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Arts and culture)
Question 7. In which year did Adolf Hitler come to power in Germany?
- A. 1914
- B. 1929
- C. 1939
- D. 1933
Answer: D. 1933
Adolf Hitler became Germany's leader in 1933, six years before the war began.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The 20th century)
Question 8. True or false. Judges also settle disputes about contracts, property or employment.
- A. True
- B. False
Answer: A. True
True. People and organisations bring such disagreements to judges, including after accidents.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The role of the courts)
Question 9. In the 1990s, British forces helped free which country after it was invaded by Iraq?
- A. Afghanistan
- B. Iran
- C. Kuwait
- D. Syria
Answer: C. Kuwait
After Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, British forces played a leading part in freeing it.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Britain since 1945)
Question 10. Choose two. Which TWO of these sports began in Britain?
- A. Cricket
- B. Golf
- C. Basketball
- D. Ice hockey
Answer: A and B. Cricket; Golf
Golf, rugby, cricket, football and lawn tennis all started in Britain.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Sport)
Question 11. How old must you be to go into a betting shop?
- A. 14
- B. 18
- C. 16
- D. 21
Answer: B. 18
Betting shops and gambling clubs are only for people aged 18 or over.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Leisure)
Question 12. Which countries had Hitler occupied or invaded before he invaded Poland?
- A. Austria and Czechoslovakia
- B. Belgium and the Netherlands
- C. France and Norway
- D. Italy and Spain
Answer: A. Austria and Czechoslovakia
Hitler occupied Austria and invaded Czechoslovakia, then Poland; Belgium and the Netherlands came after.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The 20th century)
Question 13. In some towns, who leads the council's administration?
- A. The local MP
- B. A senior judge
- C. The chief constable
- D. An elected mayor
Answer: D. An elected mayor
In some places the mayor is elected and actually runs the council, not just a ceremonial figure.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (The government)
Question 14. In the English Civil War, what were supporters of the king called?
- A. Roundheads
- B. Jacobites
- C. Cavaliers
- D. Puritans
Answer: C. Cavaliers
Supporters of the king were the Cavaliers; supporters of Parliament were the Roundheads.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The Tudors and Stuarts)
Question 15. Which British scientist co-invented the MRI scanner?
- A. Sir Ian Wilmut
- B. Sir Peter Mansfield
- C. Sir Bernard Lovell
- D. Sir Frank Whittle
Answer: B. Sir Peter Mansfield
Peter Mansfield helped invent MRI, which lets doctors see inside the body without surgery.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Britain since 1945)
Question 16. What was the discoverer of penicillin researching at the time?
- A. Malaria
- B. Influenza (the flu)
- C. Diabetes
- D. The common cold
Answer: B. Influenza (the flu)
Fleming was studying influenza in 1928 when he found penicillin.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The 20th century)
Question 17. At what age do young people in the UK receive a National Insurance number?
- A. When they start school
- B. On their 18th birthday
- C. Just before turning 16
- D. When they first vote
Answer: C. Just before turning 16
Young people receive their number shortly before turning 16.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (Fundamental principles)
Question 18. Who was Boudicca?
- A. A Roman empress who ruled Britain
- B. A Saxon queen who fought the Vikings
- C. Queen of the Scots, who built a wall
- D. Queen of the Iceni, who fought the Romans
Answer: D. Queen of the Iceni, who fought the Romans
Boudicca led the Iceni, a tribe living in what is now the east of England, against the Romans.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (Early Britain)
Question 19. True or false. You need to remember people's dates of birth and death for the Life in the UK test.
- A. True
- B. False
Answer: B. False
False. The handbook says the test does not ask you to remember when people were born or when they died.
In the handbook, chapter 1: The values and principles of the UK (Taking the Life in the UK test)
Question 20. What happened to the MacDonalds of Glencoe?
- A. They led the Jacobites to a great victory
- B. They were killed for taking the oath late
- C. They were made rulers of Ireland
- D. They fled with James to France
Answer: B. They were killed for taking the oath late
The Scottish clans had to swear loyalty to William; the MacDonalds of Glencoe were late, and all were killed.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (The Tudors and Stuarts)
Question 21. Which writer wrote poems about Scotland and the border country, and also novels set in Scotland?
- A. William Wordsworth
- B. John Keats
- C. Ted Hughes
- D. Sir Walter Scott
Answer: D. Sir Walter Scott
Walter Scott drew on the stories and songs of the Scottish borders and wrote many Scottish novels.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Arts and culture)
Question 22. Why did George I have to rely on his ministers?
- A. He was too young to rule
- B. He lived in Scotland
- C. He was often at war abroad
- D. He did not speak good English
Answer: D. He did not speak good English
George I's English was poor, so he depended more on his ministers. This helped the role of Prime Minister develop.
In the handbook, chapter 3: A long and illustrious history (A global power)
Question 23. What is a gurdwara?
- A. A Sikh place of worship
- B. A Jewish place of worship
- C. A Hindu place of worship
- D. A Buddhist place of worship
Answer: A. A Sikh place of worship
Sikhs worship in gurdwaras; Jews use synagogues, and Hindus and Buddhists have temples.
In the handbook, chapter 4: A modern, thriving society (Religion)
Question 24. True or false. Smoking is banned in nearly all enclosed public places in the UK.
- A. True
- B. False
Answer: A. True
True. Signs show where you may not smoke.
In the handbook, chapter 5: The UK government, the law and your role (Respecting the law)
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