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Life in the UK Practice Test 16 (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. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? One of the duties of the police is to protect life and property.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: A — TRUE

The police have three duties: to protect life and property, to prevent disturbances and to prevent and detect crime.

2. Which of the following describes extremism?

  1. Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values
  2. Taking part in a lawful public protest against a government policy
  3. Belonging to a religion followed by only a small number of people
  4. Standing for election as an independent candidate
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Answer: A — Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values

Extremism means vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, and it includes religious extremism and far-right extremism. Lawful protest, religious belief and standing for election are not extremism. Anyone who thinks they are being persuaded to join an extremist or terrorist cause should notify their local police force.

3. In Scotland, which court deals with minor criminal offences?

  1. The Justice of the Peace Court
  2. The Magistrates' Court
  3. The Crown Court
  4. The Court of Session
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Answer: A — The Justice of the Peace Court

Minor criminal offences in Scotland go to a Justice of the Peace Court rather than a Magistrates' Court.

4. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. In Northern Ireland, minor criminal cases are heard by a legally qualified, paid District Judge.
  2. In Northern Ireland, minor criminal cases are heard by unpaid magistrates with no legal qualifications.
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Answer: A — In Northern Ireland, minor criminal cases are heard by a legally qualified, paid District Judge.

Northern Ireland differs from the rest of the UK: its minor cases are heard by paid, legally qualified District Judges.

5. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, where are serious offences tried in front of a judge and jury?

  1. A Crown Court
  2. A Magistrates' Court
  3. A County Court
  4. A Sheriff Court
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Answer: A — A Crown Court

Serious offences in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are tried before a judge and jury in a Crown Court.

6. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The Old Bailey is probably the most famous magistrates' court in the world.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: B — FALSE

FALSE — the Old Bailey is a CROWN COURT, the best known of them, and is described as probably the most famous criminal court in the world.

7. How many members does a jury have in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

  1. 10
  2. 12
  3. 15
  4. 24
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Answer: B — 12

Juries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have 12 members.

8. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. In Scotland a jury has 15 members.
  2. In Scotland a jury has 12 members.
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Answer: A — In Scotland a jury has 15 members.

Scottish juries are larger than those elsewhere in the UK, with 15 members rather than 12.

9. Which verdict is available in Scotland in addition to 'guilty' and 'not guilty'?

  1. 'Not proven'
  2. 'No case to answer'
  3. 'Undecided'
  4. 'Discharged'
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Answer: A — 'Not proven'

Scottish juries may return a third verdict of 'not proven'.

10. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? When a jury finds a defendant guilty, the jury also decides the penalty.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: B — FALSE

The jury decides guilt and the judge decides the penalty.

11. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, cases against accused people of what age are normally heard in a Youth Court?

  1. 10 to 17
  2. 12 to 16
  3. 14 to 18
  4. 16 to 21
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Answer: A — 10 to 17

Accused people aged 10 to 17 normally appear in a Youth Court, although the most serious cases still go to the Crown Court.

12. Which TWO of the following are true of Youth Courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

  1. Members of the public are not allowed in.
  2. The name of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers.
  3. The case is heard by a jury of 12.
  4. Parents or carers are not allowed to attend.
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Answer: A and B — Members of the public are not allowed in.; The name of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers.

Youth Courts are closed to the public and protect the young person's identity, while parents or carers are expected to attend.

13. In England and Wales, the small claims procedure is used for claims of less than how much?

  1. £3,000
  2. £5,000
  3. £10,000
  4. £15,000
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Answer: C — £10,000

The small claims limit is under £10,000 in England and Wales, compared with £5,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

14. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. In Scotland, more serious civil cases are dealt with in the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
  2. In Scotland, more serious civil cases are dealt with in the County Court in Edinburgh.
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Answer: A — In Scotland, more serious civil cases are dealt with in the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Scotland's more serious civil cases go to the Court of Session in Edinburgh; County Courts exist elsewhere in the UK.

15. In which year did the UK sign the European Convention on Human Rights?

  1. 1689
  2. 1948
  3. 1950
  4. 1998
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Answer: C — 1950

The UK was one of the first countries to sign the Convention, in 1950.

16. Which Act incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law?

  1. The Human Rights Act 1998
  2. The Bill of Rights 1689
  3. The Habeas Corpus Act
  4. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
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Answer: A — The Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998 brought the Convention into UK law, binding the government, public bodies and the courts.

17. Which TWO of the following are principles of the European Convention on Human Rights?

  1. The right to a fair trial
  2. The prohibition of slavery and forced labour
  3. The right to free healthcare
  4. The right to own a home
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Answer: A and B — The right to a fair trial; The prohibition of slavery and forced labour

The Convention's principles include a fair trial and the prohibition of slavery and forced labour.

18. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Arranged marriages, where both parties agree to the marriage, are acceptable in the UK.
  2. A marriage is acceptable in the UK even if one party does not consent, provided both families agree.
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Answer: A — Arranged marriages, where both parties agree to the marriage, are acceptable in the UK.

An arranged marriage that both parties agree to is lawful, but forcing someone to marry is a criminal offence.

19. Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced for England, Wales and Northern Ireland under which Act?

  1. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
  2. The Human Rights Act 1998
  3. The Habeas Corpus Act
  4. The Bill of Rights 1689
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Answer: A — The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007

The orders were introduced in 2008 under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.

20. In which month and year were Forced Marriage Protection Orders introduced in Scotland?

  1. November 2008
  2. May 2007
  3. November 2011
  4. November 2012
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Answer: C — November 2011

Scotland introduced its own Forced Marriage Protection Orders in November 2011, three years after England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

21. Someone who breaches a Forced Marriage Protection Order can be jailed for how long?

  1. Up to six months
  2. Up to two years
  3. Up to five years
  4. Up to ten years
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Answer: B — Up to two years

Breaching such an order is contempt of court and can bring a prison sentence of up to two years.

22. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Taking a girl or woman abroad for female genital mutilation is a criminal offence.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: A — TRUE

Both practising FGM and taking a girl or woman abroad for it are criminal offences in the UK.

23. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. A man or a woman can be prosecuted for violence towards a partner, whether or not the couple are married.
  2. Only a man can be prosecuted for violence towards a partner, and only if the couple are married.
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Answer: A — A man or a woman can be prosecuted for violence towards a partner, whether or not the couple are married.

Domestic violence is a serious crime regardless of the offender's sex or the couple's marital status.

24. In Northern Ireland, which body gives information to people facing discrimination?

  1. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
  2. The Equality and Human Rights Commission
  3. The Scottish Human Rights Commission
  4. The Law Society of Northern Ireland
Show answer

Answer: A — The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own Equality Commission, while England and Wales use the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

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