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Life in the UK Practice Test 12 (2026) — free, with answers

24 original practice questions in the official Life in the UK Test formats — multiple choice, select TWO, TRUE or FALSE and “which statement is correct”. The real test has 24 questions in 45 minutes with a 75% pass mark (18 of 24). Every answer below includes an explanation. Written from the official study material; no log-in, completely free.

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1. In 1215, King John's noblemen forced him to agree to which document?

  1. Magna Carta
  2. The Habeas Corpus Act
  3. The Declaration of Rights
  4. The Bill of Rights
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Answer: A — Magna Carta

Magna Carta, the 'Great Charter', restricted the king's power to raise taxes or change laws and is often called the beginning of constitutional democracy.

2. Which Act, passed in 1679, guarantees that nobody can be held prisoner unlawfully?

  1. The Habeas Corpus Act
  2. Magna Carta
  3. The Great Reform Act
  4. The Equal Franchise Act
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Answer: A — The Habeas Corpus Act

The Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 protects against unlawful imprisonment and remains relevant today.

3. Who ruled as 'Lord Protector' until his death in 1658?

  1. Oliver Cromwell
  2. Charles I
  3. Charles II
  4. William of Orange
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Answer: A — Oliver Cromwell

After the execution of Charles I, England became a republic with Oliver Cromwell ruling as Lord Protector.

4. In 1660, Parliament invited Charles II back from exile in which country?

  1. The Netherlands
  2. France
  3. Spain
  4. Portugal
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Answer: A — The Netherlands

The Restoration of 1660 brought Charles II back from the Netherlands on the understanding that he would sometimes need Parliament.

5. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. In 1918 the vote was extended to women over 30 and to all men over 21.
  2. In 1918 the vote was extended to women over 21 and to all men over 18.
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Answer: A — In 1918 the vote was extended to women over 30 and to all men over 21.

The 1918 extension set the age bar at 30 for women and removed the property qualification for men over 21; equal voting at 21 came only in 1928.

6. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 removed James II without a battle.
  2. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 removed James II after a long civil war.
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Answer: A — The Glorious Revolution of 1688 removed James II without a battle.

James II was removed peacefully when Parliament invited William of Orange to take the throne, which is why 1688 is called the Glorious Revolution.

7. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The Chartists' campaign was generally judged a failure at the time, yet most of their reforms had become reality by 1918.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: A — TRUE

The Chartists lost in their own lifetime but nearly all of their six demands were law within a century.

8. Which TWO of the following were among the six changes demanded by the Chartists?

  1. Secret ballots
  2. Payment for MPs
  3. Votes for women over 30
  4. Abolition of the House of Lords
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Answer: A and B — Secret ballots; Payment for MPs

The Chartists' six demands included secret ballots and payment for MPs, but said nothing about votes for women or abolishing the Lords.

9. Why is the UK described as having an 'unwritten' constitution?

  1. It is not set down in any single document
  2. It exists only as spoken tradition
  3. It was destroyed during the Civil War
  4. It is recorded only in Magna Carta
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Answer: A — It is not set down in any single document

Britain's constitutional rules have developed over centuries rather than being gathered into one written document.

10. Who is the heir to the throne?

  1. Prince William, the Prince of Wales
  2. Queen Camilla
  3. Prince Harry
  4. The Princess Royal
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Answer: A — Prince William, the Prince of Wales

The King's eldest son, Prince William, Prince of Wales, is next in line to the throne.

11. When did the reign of King Charles III begin?

  1. September 2022
  2. June 1953
  3. April 2011
  4. March 2006
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Answer: A — September 2022

Charles III became King on the death of his mother in September 2022.

12. What is the National Anthem of the UK?

  1. 'God Save the King'
  2. 'Land of Hope and Glory'
  3. 'Jerusalem'
  4. 'Rule, Britannia!'
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Answer: A — 'God Save the King'

'God Save the King' is played at important national occasions and at events attended by the King or Royal Family.

13. What does the King's speech at the opening of each new parliamentary session set out?

  1. The government's plans
  2. The date of the next General Election
  3. The Budget and the year's tax rates
  4. The membership of the cabinet
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Answer: A — The government's plans

Opening Parliament each year with a speech summarising the government's plans is one of the monarch's ceremonial duties.

14. Whom does the King invite to become Prime Minister after a democratic election?

  1. The leader of the party with the most MPs
  2. The Speaker of the House of Commons
  3. The longest-serving member of Parliament
  4. The leader of the largest party in the House of Lords
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Answer: A — The leader of the party with the most MPs

The King appoints the government the people have chosen, inviting the leader of the largest party, or of a coalition, to be Prime Minister.

15. In the citizenship oath, allegiance is sworn to King Charles the Third and to whom else?

  1. His Heirs and Successors
  2. His ministers
  3. The Prime Minister
  4. The House of Commons
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Answer: A — His Heirs and Successors

Both the oath and the affirmation pledge faithfulness to the King, his Heirs and Successors, according to law.

16. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. The UK is a constitutional monarchy and the King does not rule the country.
  2. The UK is an absolute monarchy in which the King decides government policy.
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Answer: A — The UK is a constitutional monarchy and the King does not rule the country.

In a constitutional monarchy policy decisions rest with the Prime Minister and cabinet, while the King may advise, warn and encourage.

17. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. The devolved governments have the power to legislate on certain issues.
  2. The devolved governments may only advise Westminster and cannot make laws.
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Answer: A — The devolved governments have the power to legislate on certain issues.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved governments able to legislate on certain matters.

18. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Every Act of Parliament is made in the Prime Minister's name.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: B — FALSE

FALSE — although Parliament makes the laws, each Act is formally made in the name of the MONARCH.

19. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? King Charles III is head of state of the UK only, and of no other country.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: B — FALSE

The King is also monarch or head of state of many Commonwealth countries besides the UK.

20. Which TWO of the following are among the main constitutional institutions of the UK?

  1. The judiciary
  2. The civil service
  3. The Commonwealth Secretariat
  4. The European Commission
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Answer: A and B — The judiciary; The civil service

The list of constitutional institutions includes the judiciary and the civil service, alongside the monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the police and local government.

21. Why is the House of Commons regarded as the more important of the two chambers?

  1. Its members are democratically elected
  2. It is the older of the two chambers
  3. Its members are appointed by the monarch
  4. Its members are specialists in their fields
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Answer: A — Its members are democratically elected

The Commons carries greater weight because voters elect its members, unlike the peers of the House of Lords.

22. Members of the House of Lords are known as what?

  1. Peers
  2. Councillors
  3. Shadow ministers
  4. Members of the Senedd
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Answer: A — Peers

Peers are not elected and represent no constituency.

23. Until which year was every peer either a hereditary peer, a senior judge or a bishop of the Church of England?

  1. 1958
  2. 1928
  3. 1969
  4. 1999
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Answer: A — 1958

From 1958 the Prime Minister could nominate life peers, which changed the make-up of the Lords.

24. Since which year have hereditary peers lost their automatic right to attend the House of Lords?

  1. 1999
  2. 1958
  3. 1972
  4. 2004
Show answer

Answer: A — 1999

Since 1999 hereditary peers have elected a small number of their own to represent them instead of all attending by right.

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