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Life in the UK Practice Test 36 (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. Which TWO of the following are named as illegal drugs to sell or buy?

  1. Heroin
  2. Cannabis
  3. Tobacco
  4. Alcohol
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Answer: A and B — Heroin; Cannabis

Selling or buying drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis is illegal; tobacco and alcohol are legal but restricted by age.

2. How is racial crime defined?

  1. Causing harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin
  2. Any argument between people of different backgrounds
  3. Refusing to employ someone
  4. Speaking a language other than English in public
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Answer: A — Causing harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin

Racial crime is causing harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin.

3. What is the minimum age for buying tobacco products in the UK?

  1. 18
  2. 16
  3. 21
  4. No minimum
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Answer: A — 18

It is illegal to sell tobacco products — cigarettes, cigars, roll-up tobacco — to anyone under 18.

4. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? It is against the law to smoke tobacco products in nearly every enclosed public place in the UK.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: A — TRUE

Signs are displayed to tell you where you cannot smoke.

5. What is the exception to the rule that it is a criminal offence to buy alcohol for someone under 18?

  1. People aged 16 or over can drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant
  2. People aged 16 or over can drink anywhere with an adult
  3. People aged 14 or over can drink at home
  4. There is no exception
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Answer: A — People aged 16 or over can drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant

It is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 or to buy it for them, except that people aged 16 or over may drink with a meal in a hotel or restaurant.

6. In an alcohol-free zone, which TWO powers do the police have?

  1. To confiscate alcohol
  2. To move young people on from public places
  3. To close nearby shops
  4. To impose a prison sentence on the spot
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Answer: A and B — To confiscate alcohol; To move young people on from public places

Some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public; the police can confiscate alcohol or move young people on, and you can be fined or arrested.

7. Which TWO of the following are examples of civil law?

  1. Housing law
  2. Consumer rights
  3. Carrying a weapon
  4. Racial crime
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Answer: A and B — Housing law; Consumer rights

Civil law covers housing disputes, consumer rights, employment law and debt; carrying a weapon and racial crime are criminal offences.

8. Who heads each of the UK's separate police forces?

  1. A Chief Constable
  2. A Police and Crime Commissioner
  3. A magistrate
  4. The Home Secretary
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Answer: A — A Chief Constable

The police are organised into a number of separate forces headed by Chief Constables, and are independent of the government.

9. Which TWO responsibilities belong to a Police and Crime Commissioner?

  1. Setting local police priorities and the local policing budget
  2. Appointing the local Chief Constable
  3. Sentencing offenders
  4. Investigating serious crimes
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Answer: A and B — Setting local police priorities and the local policing budget; Appointing the local Chief Constable

PCCs are directly elected individuals responsible for an efficient and effective police force that reflects local needs.

10. Which TWO things must police officers never do?

  1. Misuse their authority
  2. Make a false statement
  3. Give evidence in court
  4. Patrol alone
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Answer: A and B — Misuse their authority; Make a false statement

Officers must not misuse their authority, make a false statement, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination, and those who are corrupt are severely punished.

11. What do police community support officers (PCSOs) usually do?

  1. Patrol the streets, work with the public and support police officers at crime scenes and major events
  2. Sit as judges in the magistrates' court
  3. Set the local policing budget
  4. Investigate complaints against the police
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Answer: A — Patrol the streets, work with the public and support police officers at crime scenes and major events

PCSO roles vary by area but usually involve patrolling, working with the public and supporting officers.

12. If you are arrested and taken to a police station, which TWO things happen?

  1. An officer will tell you the reason for your arrest
  2. You will be able to seek legal advice
  3. You will be tried immediately
  4. You must answer all questions without a solicitor
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Answer: A and B — An officer will tell you the reason for your arrest; You will be able to seek legal advice

You must be told the reason for your arrest and you are able to seek legal advice.

13. Besides going to a police station, how else can anyone make a complaint about the police?

  1. By writing to the Chief Constable of the force involved
  2. By writing to their MP only
  3. By applying to the Crown Court
  4. By contacting the Prime Minister
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Answer: A — By writing to the Chief Constable of the force involved

Complaints can be made at a police station, by writing to the Chief Constable, or to an independent body.

14. In Northern Ireland, which independent body handles complaints about the police?

  1. The Police Ombudsman's Office
  2. The Independent Police Complaints Commission
  3. The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner
  4. The Law Society
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Answer: A — The Police Ombudsman's Office

Northern Ireland has the Police Ombudsman's Office; Scotland has the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

15. Besides Al Qa'ida and like-minded organisations, what other kind of terrorism does the UK face?

  1. Northern Ireland-related terrorism
  2. Maritime piracy
  3. Industrial sabotage
  4. Cyber fraud
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Answer: A — Northern Ireland-related terrorism

The most serious threats are named as Al Qa'ida, its affiliates and like-minded organisations, but the UK also faces Northern Ireland-related terrorism.

16. How is 'extremism' defined?

  1. Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values
  2. Any strongly held political opinion
  3. Membership of a political party
  4. Refusing to vote
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Answer: A — Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values

Extremism includes religious extremism and far-right extremism, and everyone should feel safe from all kinds of it.

17. If you think someone is trying to persuade you to join an extremist or terrorist cause, whom should you notify?

  1. Your local police force
  2. Your MP
  3. The Home Office switchboard
  4. Your employer
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Answer: A — Your local police force

You should notify your local police force.

18. How are people selected for jury service?

  1. Randomly, from those on the electoral register
  2. By application to the court
  3. By their local councillor
  4. By the police
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Answer: A — Randomly, from those on the electoral register

People on the electoral register are randomly selected to serve on a jury.

19. What does 'PTA' stand for in a school context?

  1. Parent-teacher association
  2. Pupil training award
  3. Public teaching authority
  4. Parent trust agreement
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Answer: A — Parent-teacher association

Events at schools are sometimes organised by parent-teacher associations; volunteering to help does something good for the school and makes new friends locally.

20. What is the age requirement to become a school governor?

  1. 18 or over, with no upper age limit
  2. 21 or over, with no upper age limit
  3. 18 to 70
  4. No age requirement
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Answer: A — 18 or over, with no upper age limit

Governors must be aged 18 or over at the date of election or appointment, and there is no upper age limit.

21. Which TWO of these are key roles of a school governor?

  1. Setting the strategic direction of the school
  2. Monitoring and evaluating school performance
  3. Teaching classes
  4. Setting the national curriculum
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Answer: A and B — Setting the strategic direction of the school; Monitoring and evaluating school performance

The three key roles are setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability, and monitoring and evaluating school performance.

22. What is 'canvassing'?

  1. Party members knocking on doors to ask for support at election time
  2. Counting votes after the poll
  3. Registering to vote
  4. Standing as a candidate
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Answer: A — Party members knocking on doors to ask for support at election time

Members hand out leaflets and knock on doors asking for support — and you do not have to tell a canvasser how you intend to vote.

23. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? You do not have to tell a canvasser how you intend to vote.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: A — TRUE

You can decline to say how you intend to vote.

24. Besides British citizens, which TWO groups may be able to stand for public office in the UK?

  1. Irish citizens
  2. Eligible Commonwealth citizens
  3. Any resident of the UK
  4. Citizens of any EU country
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Answer: A and B — Irish citizens; Eligible Commonwealth citizens

British citizens can stand as a local councillor or MP, or the devolved equivalents, and Irish and eligible Commonwealth citizens may also be able to.

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