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Life in the UK Practice Test 14 (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. The Northern Ireland Parliament established in 1922 was abolished in which year?

  1. 1972
  2. 1969
  3. 1998
  4. 1999
Show answer

Answer: A — 1972

The 1922 Parliament was abolished in 1972, shortly after the Troubles broke out in 1969.

2. When did the Senedd building in Cardiff open?

  1. March 2006
  2. October 2004
  3. May 1999
  4. July 1997
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Answer: A — March 2006

The Senedd building opened in March 2006, while the Scottish Parliament's building had opened in October 2004.

3. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The Northern Ireland Assembly has 108 elected members, known as MLAs.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Show answer

Answer: A — TRUE

The official handbook gives 108 Members of the Legislative Assembly, chosen by a form of proportional representation, and the test marks against the handbook. In practice the number was cut to 90 from 2017 — answer 108.

4. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The UK government has no power to suspend the devolved assemblies.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: B — FALSE

Westminster retains the power to suspend the devolved assemblies and has used it several times in Northern Ireland.

5. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. The Scottish Parliament has 129 members, known as MSPs.
  2. The Scottish Parliament has 60 members, known as MSPs.
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Answer: A — The Scottish Parliament has 129 members, known as MSPs.

Scotland returns 129 MSPs; it is the Senedd that has 60 members.

6. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Radio and television coverage of the political parties must by law be balanced.
  2. Newspapers must by law give equal space to all of the political parties.
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Answer: A — Radio and television coverage of the political parties must by law be balanced.

Broadcasters are legally required to give equal time to rival viewpoints, while the press is free from government control.

7. Which TWO of the following are matters decided by the devolved administrations?

  1. Education
  2. Health and social services
  3. Defence
  4. Social security
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Answer: A and B — Education; Health and social services

Education and health are devolved, whereas defence and social security are reserved to the UK government.

8. On election day, when are polling stations open?

  1. From 7.00 am until 10.00 pm
  2. From 8.00 am until 8.00 pm
  3. From 9.00 am until 5.00 pm
  4. From 6.00 am until midnight
Show answer

Answer: A — From 7.00 am until 10.00 pm

Polling stations are open from 7.00 am to 10.00 pm on the day of the election.

9. What are polling stations called in Scotland?

  1. Polling places
  2. Polling booths
  3. Ballot halls
  4. Election centres
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Answer: A — Polling places

The Scottish term for a polling station is a polling place.

10. What must be true before you can vote in a parliamentary or local election?

  1. Your name must be on the electoral register
  2. You must own property in the constituency
  3. You must belong to a political party
  4. You must have voted at least once before
Show answer

Answer: A — Your name must be on the electoral register

Registration on the electoral register is a legal requirement before you can cast a vote.

11. In which month does the annual canvass of households begin each year?

  1. July
  2. January
  3. April
  4. October
Show answer

Answer: A — July

From July each year households are contacted to check that the electoral register's details are up to date.

12. Since which year has the UK had a fully democratic voting system?

  1. 1928
  2. 1918
  3. 1969
  4. 1832
Show answer

Answer: A — 1928

1928 brought equal voting rights for men and women, completing the democratic franchise.

13. How does a postal ballot work?

  1. Your ballot paper is sent to your home and you post it back
  2. You vote by telephone on election day
  3. You vote at any post office on election day
  4. A council officer collects your vote at your home
Show answer

Answer: A — Your ballot paper is sent to your home and you post it back

A postal ballot suits anyone who would find it difficult to reach a polling station, and can be chosen when you register to vote.

14. What will the staff at the polling station ask you for?

  1. Your name, address and photo ID
  2. Your National Insurance number
  3. Your birth certificate
  4. A signed statement from a witness
Show answer

Answer: A — Your name, address and photo ID

Voters must give their name and address and show accepted photo identification before receiving a ballot paper.

15. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? If your name, address or nationality changes, you must register to vote again.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: A — TRUE

A change of name, address or nationality means the register is out of date, so you must register again.

16. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Your employer has the right to tell you which candidate to vote for.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Show answer

Answer: B — FALSE

The ballot is filled in privately and nobody may compel you to vote for a particular candidate.

17. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Members of the House of Lords cannot stand for election to the House of Commons.
  2. Members of the House of Lords may stand for election to the House of Commons.
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Answer: A — Members of the House of Lords cannot stand for election to the House of Commons.

Peers are barred from standing for the Commons, though they remain eligible for other public offices.

18. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Each local authority must by law let anyone inspect its electoral register, under supervision.
  2. The electoral register is confidential and cannot be inspected by members of the public.
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Answer: A — Each local authority must by law let anyone inspect its electoral register, under supervision.

The register may be inspected by anyone, but only under supervision at the electoral registration or council office.

19. Which TWO of the following may not stand for public office?

  1. Civil servants
  2. Members of the armed forces
  3. People aged over 70
  4. Commonwealth citizens resident in the UK
Show answer

Answer: A and B — Civil servants; Members of the armed forces

Civil servants and members of the armed forces are barred from standing, as are people found guilty of certain criminal offences.

20. Where do MSPs meet?

  1. In the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh
  2. At Stormont in Belfast
  3. In the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay
  4. In the Palace of Westminster in London
Show answer

Answer: A — In the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh

Scotland's elected members, the MSPs, sit in the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.

21. What are the elected members of the Welsh legislature known as?

  1. MSPs
  2. MSs
  3. MLAs
  4. MPs
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Answer: B — MSs

In Wales the elected members are MSs, or Members of the Senedd, who meet in Cardiff Bay.

22. What are the elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly known as?

  1. MLAs
  2. MSs
  3. MSPs
  4. JPs
Show answer

Answer: A — MLAs

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly are called MLAs.

23. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Entrance to the public galleries at the Palace of Westminster is free.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Show answer

Answer: A — TRUE

Whether you obtain tickets from your MP or queue on the day, there is no charge to enter.

24. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. It is usually easier to get into the public gallery of the House of Lords than that of the House of Commons.
  2. It is usually easier to get into the public gallery of the House of Commons than that of the House of Lords.
Show answer

Answer: A — It is usually easier to get into the public gallery of the House of Lords than that of the House of Commons.

Demand for the Commons gallery is much heavier, so the Lords is the easier chamber to get into.

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