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Life in the UK Practice Test 38 (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. How many members does a jury have in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

  1. 12
  2. 15
  3. 10
  4. 24
Show answer

Answer: A — 12

A jury has 12 members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 15 in Scotland.

2. Which TWO reasons allow someone summoned for jury service not to serve?

  1. They are not eligible, for example because of a criminal conviction
  2. They provide a good reason to be excused, such as ill health
  3. They are in full-time work
  4. They have served on a jury before
Show answer

Answer: A and B — They are not eligible, for example because of a criminal conviction; They provide a good reason to be excused, such as ill health

Everyone summoned must do jury service unless they are ineligible or give a good reason to be excused.

3. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. The jury decides guilt and the judge decides the sentence.
  2. The jury decides both guilt and the sentence.
Show answer

Answer: A — The jury decides guilt and the judge decides the sentence.

The jury decides a verdict on the evidence; if it finds the defendant guilty, the judge decides the penalty.

4. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, an accused person of what age is normally tried in a Youth Court?

  1. 10 to 17
  2. 12 to 18
  3. 10 to 21
  4. 16 to 18
Show answer

Answer: A — 10 to 17

Youth Court cases are heard by up to three specially trained magistrates or a District Judge; the most serious cases still go to the Crown Court.

5. Which TWO rules apply to Youth Courts?

  1. Members of the public are not allowed in
  2. The name or photographs of the accused young person cannot be published
  3. Parents are barred from attending
  4. The hearing is always held in a Crown Court
Show answer

Answer: A and B — Members of the public are not allowed in; The name or photographs of the accused young person cannot be published

Parents or carers are in fact expected to attend the hearing.

6. What is Scotland's equivalent of the Youth Court called?

  1. The Children's Hearings System
  2. Youth conferencing
  3. The Justice of the Peace Court
  4. The Sheriff Court
Show answer

Answer: A — The Children's Hearings System

Scotland uses the Children's Hearings System; Northern Ireland has a system of youth conferencing.

7. Which TWO kinds of case are dealt with in a County Court?

  1. People trying to get back money that is owed to them
  2. Divorce
  3. Murder
  4. Carrying a weapon
Show answer

Answer: A and B — People trying to get back money that is owed to them; Divorce

County Courts handle civil disputes including debt, personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract and divorce. In Scotland most go to the Sheriff Court.

8. In Scotland, where are more serious civil cases heard?

  1. The Court of Session in Edinburgh
  2. The High Court in London
  3. The County Court
  4. The Justice of the Peace Court
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Answer: A — The Court of Session in Edinburgh

More serious civil cases go to the High Court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to the Court of Session in Edinburgh in Scotland.

9. What is the small claims limit in England and Wales?

  1. Less than £10,000
  2. Less than £5,000
  3. Less than £1,000
  4. Less than £25,000
Show answer

Answer: A — Less than £10,000

The limit is under £10,000 in England and Wales, £5,000 using the simple procedure in Scotland, and £5,000 in Northern Ireland.

10. What is a small claims hearing like?

  1. Informal, before a judge in an ordinary room, with both sides around a table
  2. A formal trial before a judge and jury
  3. Conducted entirely in writing
  4. Heard in the Crown Court
Show answer

Answer: A — Informal, before a judge in an ordinary room, with both sides around a table

The small claims procedure helps people settle minor disputes without spending a lot of time and money on a lawyer; claims can also be issued online.

11. How are solicitors' charges usually based?

  1. On how much time they spend on a case
  2. On a fixed fee set by the government
  3. On a share of any compensation won
  4. On the number of court hearings only
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Answer: A — On how much time they spend on a case

Because charges are usually based on time, it is very important to find out at the start how much your case is likely to cost.

12. Which organisation can give you the names of local solicitors and tell you what areas of law they specialise in?

  1. Citizens Advice
  2. The Independent Police Complaints Commission
  3. The Crown Prosecution Service
  4. The Youth Court
Show answer

Answer: A — Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can help, as can the Law Society in England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

13. Which TWO foods are traditionally eaten at Christmas in the UK?

  1. Roast turkey
  2. Mince pies
  3. Haggis
  4. Welsh cakes
Show answer

Answer: A and B — Roast turkey; Mince pies

The Christmas meal is often roast turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies.

14. By what other name is Father Christmas known?

  1. Santa Claus
  2. St Nicholas Day
  3. The Dame
  4. Old Man Winter
Show answer

Answer: A — Santa Claus

Very young children believe Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, brings presents during the night before Christmas Day.

15. On which day is the death of Jesus Christ marked at Easter?

  1. Good Friday
  2. Easter Sunday
  3. Easter Monday
  4. Ash Wednesday
Show answer

Answer: A — Good Friday

Easter marks the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his rising from the dead on Easter Sunday.

16. What happens at church services on Ash Wednesday?

  1. Christians are marked with an ash cross on the forehead
  2. Pancakes are eaten
  3. Easter eggs are given out
  4. A menorah is lit
Show answer

Answer: A — Christians are marked with an ash cross on the forehead

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and the ash cross is a symbol of death and sorrow for sin.

17. Why were pancakes traditionally made on Shrove Tuesday?

  1. To use up foods such as eggs, fat and milk before the fast
  2. To celebrate the end of Lent
  3. To mark the start of spring
  4. To remember the Gunpowder Plot
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Answer: A — To use up foods such as eggs, fat and milk before the fast

Shrove Tuesday — Pancake Day — is the day before Lent starts.

18. What do 'Easter eggs' symbolise?

  1. New life
  2. Sorrow for sin
  3. The victory of good over evil
  4. Religious freedom
Show answer

Answer: A — New life

Chocolate eggs given as presents are a symbol of new life, and Easter is also celebrated by people who are not religious.

19. What does Diwali, often called the Festival of Lights, mark?

  1. The victory of good over evil and the gaining of knowledge
  2. The Jews' struggle for religious freedom
  3. The founding of the Khalsa
  4. The end of Ramadan
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Answer: A — The victory of good over evil and the gaining of knowledge

Diwali normally falls in October or November, lasts five days and is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs.

20. For how many days is Hannukah celebrated, and what is the candle stand called?

  1. Eight days, on a menorah
  2. Five days, on a diya
  3. Eight days, on a Khalsa
  4. Three days, on a menorah
Show answer

Answer: A — Eight days, on a menorah

Hannukah remembers the Jews' struggle for religious freedom and the story of oil that should have lasted a day burning for eight.

21. What does the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi celebrate?

  1. The founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa
  2. The victory of good over evil
  3. The end of a month of fasting
  4. The birth of Guru Nanak
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Answer: A — The founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa

Vaisakhi is celebrated on 14 April each year with parades, dancing and singing.

22. What does Eid al-Fitr celebrate?

  1. The end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month
  2. The prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son
  3. The Jews' struggle for religious freedom
  4. The birth of Jesus Christ
Show answer

Answer: A — The end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month

Muslims thank Allah for the strength to complete the fast, and attend special services and meals. The date changes every year.

23. What does Eid ul Adha remember?

  1. That the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to
  2. The end of Ramadan
  3. The victory of good over evil
  4. The founding of the Khalsa
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Answer: A — That the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to

Many Muslims sacrifice an animal to eat during this festival — in Britain this has to be done in a slaughterhouse.

24. Which extra day is a public holiday in Scotland at New Year?

  1. 2 January
  2. 31 December
  3. 1 February
  4. 24 December
Show answer

Answer: A — 2 January

New Year, 1 January, is a public holiday across the UK; in Scotland 2 January is also a public holiday, and for some Hogmanay is a bigger holiday than Christmas.

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