24 multiple-choice questions with answers — the same number as the real test. Give yourself 45 minutes and aim for 18 correct, which is the official 75% pass mark. Answers are shown under each question, so cover them up on your first run through.
This test draws on 13 topics: A Global Power, Arts and culture, Customs and traditions, Early Britain, England, Religion, Sports, The 20th Century, The Government, The Tudors and Stuarts, The UK today, The role of the courts, The values and principles of the UK.
Answer: A — FALSE
The Scottish Parliament can pass laws for Scotland on all matters which are not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament.
Answer: D — Wimbledon
The most famous tournament hosted in Britain is The Wimbledon Championships, which takes place each year at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Answer: D — Poland
Answer: B — TRUE
All Scottish clans were required formally to accept William as king by taking an oath. The MacDonalds of Glencoe were late in taking the oath and were all killed.
Answer: D — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Answer: D — Scotland
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Answer: A — FALSE
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if an accused person is aged 10 to 17, the case is normally heard in a Youth Court in front of up to three specially trained magistrates or a District Judge.
Answer: C — Elizabeth I
Answer: A — St David
Answer: C — Scotland
Known in Scotland as 'The Bard', Robert Burns was a Scottish poet.
Answer: A — True
Answer: D — Oliver Cromwell
Answer: A — South-west Europe
Answer: C — 15
A jury is made up of members of the public chosen at random from the local electoral register (see page 134). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a jury has 12 members, and in Scotland a jury has 15 members.
Answer: C — The Highland Clearances
Answer: A — The Normans led by William
The Norman Conquest was the last successful foreign invasion of England and led to many changes in government and social structures in England. Norman French, the language of the new ruling class, influenced the development of the English language as we know it today.
Answer: D — Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English novelist. Her books include Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Her novels are concerned with marriage and family relationships. Many have been made into television programmes or films.
Answer: A — The rule of law
British society is founded on fundamental values and principles which all those living in the UK should respect and support. One of these principles is democracy. Other fundamental principles of British life include: The rule of law Individual liberty Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs Participation in community life.
Answer: B — TRUE
April Fool's Day, 1 April, is a day when people play jokes on each other until midday. The television and newspapers often have stories that are April Fool jokes.
Answer: D — William of Normandy
In 1066, an invasion led by William, the Duke of Normandy (in what is now northern France), defeated Harold, the Saxon king of England, at the Battle of Hastings.
Answer: A — FALSE
Britain's navy fought against combined French and Spanish fleets, winning the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Answer: A — FALSE
The people who lived there, who owned the land and what animals they owned were also listed. This was called Domesday Book. It still exists today and gives a picture of society in England just after the Norman Conquest.
Answer: C — Edinburgh
Answer: B — TRUE
When Queen Anne died in 1714, Parliament chose a German, George I, to be the next king, because he was Anne's nearest Protestant relative.