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Chapter 5 · The UK government, the law and your role

Life in the UK test questions on the monarchy

The King is head of state of the UK and of many Commonwealth countries, but he does not run the government: he reigns as a constitutional monarch and acts on the advice of ministers. He opens each new session of Parliament and gives royal assent to new laws. The monarch is expected to stay out of party politics.

Below are 6 free questions on the monarchy, taken from handbook section 5.3. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

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Questions and answers on the monarchy

The same 6 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.

  1. 1. What role does the monarch hold in the United Kingdom?

    • Head of state — correct answer
    • Head of government
    • Leader of the largest party
    • Chief judge

    The monarch is head of state. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who leads the party that can command a majority in the House of Commons. Handbook section 5.3.

  2. 2. What did the Diamond Jubilee of 2012 celebrate?

    • Sixty years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign — correct answer
    • Fifty years of the Commonwealth
    • The birth of a royal baby
    • The opening of a new Parliament building

    A Diamond Jubilee marks 60 years on the throne. Queen Elizabeth II's was celebrated across the UK in 2012. Handbook section 5.3.

  3. 3. 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.

  4. 4. As well as the UK, what else is the monarch head of state of?

    • A number of other Commonwealth countries — correct answer
    • Every country in Europe
    • All members of the United Nations
    • The Republic of Ireland

    The monarch is head of state of the UK and of several other Commonwealth countries, each of which has its own elected government. Handbook section 5.3.

  5. 5. Which words open the UK national anthem?

    • God save our gracious King — correct answer
    • Land of my fathers
    • Britons never shall be slaves
    • Long may our land be bright

    The anthem begins 'God save our gracious King, long live our noble King'. The words change between King and Queen with the monarch. Handbook section 5.3.

  6. 6. Which statement best describes the monarch's power over day-to-day government?

    • The monarch reigns but does not decide government policy — correct answer
    • The monarch personally runs each government department
    • The monarch can dismiss any MP at will
    • The monarch writes the annual budget

    The monarch's role is symbolic and constitutional rather than political. Policy is made by the elected government and scrutinised by Parliament. Handbook section 5.3.

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