Skip to the main content
BritWise — Life in the UK Test Practice
Start free test
First sittings · Test 5 of 24

Life in the UK practice test 5: Mixed Revision

Paper 5 jumps between chapters the way the official test does. Nothing warns you that the next question has moved from history to the law, and getting used to that switching is half of what these papers are for.

How to sit this one. Sit it timed, but allow yourself one look at the handbook when you are truly stuck — and note down every question that needed it.

24 questions in 45 minutes, with 18 correct to pass — the same 75% the official test asks for. Nothing is saved to an account: your progress stays in this browser, so you can close the tab and pick the paper up where you left it.

Questions
24
Time limit
45 minutes
Pass mark
18 of 24 (75%)
How do you want to practise?

Answers and explanations

Every question in paper 5, with the right answer and the handbook section it comes from. Open it after you have had a go.

Show all 24 answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which king was forced to agree to Magna Carta?

    • King Henry V
    • King Edward I
    • King Richard III
    • King John — correct answer

    King John was forced to agree to Magna Carta by his noblemen. They wanted limits on the way he taxed and ruled them. Handbook section 3.6.

  2. 2. Which prize did the contemporary artist Damien Hirst win?

    • The Turner Prize — correct answer
    • The Booker Prize
    • The Mercury Music Prize
    • A Laurence Olivier Award

    Damien Hirst won the Turner Prize, the award that celebrates contemporary art in Britain. Handbook section 4.17.

  3. 3. What was the Spanish Armada?

    • A large fleet of ships sent to invade England — correct answer
    • A Spanish army that marched through France
    • A trade agreement with Spain
    • A Spanish castle in Ireland

    The Armada was a large fleet of ships sent to invade England. English ships and bad weather destroyed it. Handbook section 3.8.

  4. 4. Which of these is a responsibility that people living in the UK are expected to accept?

    • Looking after the area you live in and the environment — correct answer
    • Flying a flag on national holidays
    • Giving a set share of your income to charity
    • Attending a religious service each week

    Looking after your local area and the environment is one of the responsibilities set out for people living in the UK. The others are personal choices. Handbook section 1.2.

  5. 5. How many times has London hosted the Olympic Games?

    • Three times, in 1908, 1948 and 2012 — correct answer
    • Once, in 2012
    • Twice, in 1948 and 2012
    • Four times since 1900

    London has hosted the Olympic Games three times: in 1908, in 1948 and again in 2012. Handbook section 4.5.

  6. 6. What is Glastonbury?

    • One of the UK's best-known outdoor music festivals — correct answer
    • A classical concert hall in London
    • A prize for young composers
    • A Welsh festival of poetry

    Glastonbury is one of the UK's best-known outdoor music festivals, alongside events such as the Isle of Wight Festival. Handbook section 4.6.

  7. 7. Which of these is a way of volunteering with young people?

    • Helping with the Scouts, Guides or a cadet unit — correct answer
    • Teaching in a school without any checks
    • Running a youth court
    • Setting exam papers

    Youth organisations such as the Scouts, Guides and cadet forces rely on adult volunteers. Anyone working with children is checked before they start. Handbook section 5.19.

  8. 8. In 1969 the voting age in the UK was changed. What was it changed to?

    • 18 — correct answer
    • 16
    • 20
    • 25

    The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1969, and 18 remains the age at which you can vote in a UK general election. Handbook section 5.1.

  9. 9. Which country was the first to industrialise on a large scale?

    • France
    • Germany
    • The United States
    • Britain — correct answer

    Britain was the first country to industrialise on a large scale. Machines, coal and steam power changed how goods were made. Handbook section 3.13.

  10. 10. Which fashion designer is closely linked with the miniskirt and the fashions of the 1960s?

    • Mary Quant — correct answer
    • Vivienne Westwood
    • Clarice Cliff
    • Sir Norman Hartnell

    Mary Quant was a leading designer of the 1960s and helped make the miniskirt a symbol of the decade. Handbook section 4.9.

  11. 11. Which action helps reduce the energy a household uses?

    • Turning off lights and appliances that are not being used — correct answer
    • Leaving the heating on with the windows open
    • Running the washing machine half empty every day
    • Boiling a full kettle for one cup of tea

    Small habits add up. Switching things off, insulating the home and using full loads all cut both energy use and bills. Handbook section 5.20.

  12. 12. Who is the patron saint of Scotland?

    • St Andrew — correct answer
    • St George
    • St David
    • St Columba

    St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, and his cross appears on the Scottish flag as a white saltire on blue. Handbook section 4.3.

  13. 13. Who formally invites the leader of the winning party to form a government?

    • The monarch — correct answer
    • The Speaker
    • The Lord Chancellor
    • The outgoing Prime Minister

    After a general election the monarch formally asks the leader who can command a majority in the House of Commons to form a government. Handbook section 5.3.

  14. 14. Are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man part of the UK?

    • No, they are Crown dependencies with their own governments — correct answer
    • Yes, they are counties of England
    • Yes, they are part of Great Britain
    • No, they are members of the Republic of Ireland

    The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies. They are linked to the UK but are not part of it and run their own governments. Handbook section 2.2.

  15. 15. What does volunteering mean?

    • Giving your time to help others without being paid — correct answer
    • Working part time for the government
    • Taking a paid job with a charity
    • Serving in the armed forces

    Volunteers give their time free of charge to help people or causes they care about. It is one of the main ways people take part in community life. Handbook section 5.19.

  16. 16. In which year did Queen Elizabeth II come to the throne?

    • 1948
    • 1952 — correct answer
    • 1960
    • 1945

    Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 and was crowned the following year. She went on to reign for 70 years. Handbook section 3.19.

  17. 17. In which year was the National Health Service established?

    • 1951
    • 1945
    • 1946
    • 1948 — correct answer

    The National Health Service was established in 1948. It offered healthcare to everyone, free at the point of use. Handbook section 3.19.

  18. 18. Select the TWO fundamental principles of British life from this list.

    • Individual liberty — correct answer
    • Participation in community life — correct answer
    • Compulsory membership of a trade union
    • A duty to own property

    Individual liberty and participation in community life are both fundamental principles. Nobody in the UK is required to join a union or to own property. Handbook section 1.1.

  19. 19. How did the Vikings reach Britain from Scandinavia?

    • In Roman galleys
    • Along the old Roman roads
    • By sea, in longships — correct answer
    • On foot across a land bridge

    The Vikings crossed the sea in longships. These were fast and shallow enough to be sailed right up on to a beach. Handbook section 3.4.

  20. 20. What must a dog wear when it is in a public place?

    • A collar — correct answer
    • A muzzle at all times
    • A coat in winter
    • Nothing is required

    A dog in a public place must wear a collar, so that anyone who finds it can contact the owner. Handbook section 4.14.

  21. 21. Select the TWO things you must have before driving a car on a public road in the UK.

    • A valid driving licence — correct answer
    • Motor insurance — correct answer
    • A passport
    • A television licence

    You need a driving licence and insurance, and the vehicle must be taxed and, if it is old enough, have a valid MOT certificate. Handbook section 5.16.

  22. 22. What happens on Valentine's Day, 14 February?

    • People send cards to someone they love, often without signing them — correct answer
    • Children play tricks on adults
    • Families eat pancakes together
    • People light bonfires and set off fireworks

    On Valentine's Day people send cards and gifts to someone they love, and the cards are often sent anonymously. Handbook section 4.4.

  23. 23. Who carries government policy into practice once ministers have decided it?

    • The civil service — correct answer
    • The House of Lords
    • The judiciary
    • Political party members

    Ministers set the direction and the civil service puts it into effect, running the departments and services that deliver it. Handbook section 5.11.

  24. 24. Which famous composer was born in Germany but became a British citizen?

    • George Frideric Handel — correct answer
    • Gustav Holst
    • Sir Edward Elgar
    • Henry Purcell

    George Frideric Handel was born in Germany, spent most of his life in Britain and became a British citizen; his Messiah is still sung by choirs at Easter. Handbook section 4.6.

What paper 5 asks about

These 24 questions come from 5 chapters of the official handbook. By the difficulty the questions were written at, that is 11 easy and 13 medium.

Chapters in this paper

The topics it leans on most

Revise before the next paper

A mock test tells you where you stand. These pages are where you close the gaps.