Life in the UK practice test 13: Exam Conditions
Paper 13 opens the exam-conditions block. Everything from here is meant to be sat the way the real test is: one go, no notes, no pausing to look something up.
How to sit this one. Phone away, one tab, timer running. If you are interrupted, finish anyway — the test centre will not restart the clock for you either.
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%)
Answers and explanations
Every question in paper 13, 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. Select the TWO posts that are part of the cabinet.
- The Home Secretary — correct answer
- The Chancellor of the Exchequer — correct answer
- The Speaker of the House of Commons
- The Chief Constable
Cabinet posts are held by senior ministers in charge of departments, such as the Home Secretary and the Chancellor. The Speaker is neutral and a Chief Constable is not a politician. Handbook section 5.6.
2. How can you find a solicitor to help with a civil problem?
- Through the Law Society, online listings or a recommendation — correct answer
- Only by asking a judge
- Only through your MP
- Only through your employer
Solicitors can be found through the Law Society, online directories or personal recommendation. It is worth asking about fees before you start. Handbook section 5.17.
3. What is the London Eye?
- A Ferris wheel on the south bank of the River Thames — correct answer
- A viewing platform on top of the Tower of London
- A telescope at the Royal Observatory
- A bridge across the Thames
The London Eye is a Ferris wheel on the south bank of the River Thames, and it gives riders a wide view over the city. Handbook section 4.15.
4. What do civil servants do?
- Support ministers in developing policies and deliver public services — correct answer
- Vote on new laws in Parliament
- Decide criminal trials
- Lead political parties
Civil servants advise ministers, turn government policy into practice and run public services. They are managers and officials, not politicians. Handbook section 5.11.
5. Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. Is it also the Scottish capital?
- No, the capital of Scotland is Edinburgh — correct answer
- Yes, Glasgow is the capital
- Yes, it shares the role with Edinburgh
- No, the capital is Aberdeen
Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, but Edinburgh is the capital and the home of the Scottish Parliament. Handbook section 2.3.
6. What power does the UK government hold over the devolved assemblies?
- It can suspend them, as it has done in Northern Ireland — correct answer
- It can choose their members
- It can overturn any of their court judgments
- It can extend their terms indefinitely
The UK government has the power to suspend a devolved assembly. It has used this in Northern Ireland at times when the power-sharing institutions could not function. Handbook section 5.9.
7. Who was the first wife of Henry VIII?
- Anne Boleyn
- Jane Seymour
- Catherine Parr
- Catherine of Aragon — correct answer
Catherine of Aragon was Henry VIII's first wife. She was a Spanish princess and the mother of the future Mary I. Handbook section 3.8.
8. Which two of these people are matched with the right field of work?
- Henry Moore, sculptor — correct answer
- Sir Christopher Wren, architect — correct answer
- Robert Burns, painter
- Charlie Chaplin, composer
Henry Moore was a sculptor and Sir Christopher Wren an architect, while Burns was a poet and Chaplin an actor. Handbook section 4.17.
9. Who may join a UK political party?
- Anyone who supports its aims may apply to join — correct answer
- Only Members of Parliament
- Only people born in the UK
- Only people who own property
Political parties are open to supporters, and members help by campaigning, raising money and choosing candidates. Handbook section 5.7.
10. On which date did Allied forces land in Normandy on D-Day?
- 11 November 1918
- 6 June 1944 — correct answer
- 8 May 1945
- 3 September 1939
Allied forces landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944. The landings began the campaign that freed western Europe. Handbook section 3.18.
11. In which year was the General Strike?
- 1918
- 1922
- 1926 — correct answer
- 1929
The General Strike took place in 1926. Workers in many industries stopped work in support of the miners. Handbook section 3.17.
12. Which two of these people are remembered for their work in science or medicine?
- Sir Alexander Fleming — correct answer
- Francis Crick — correct answer
- John Constable
- Benjamin Britten
Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin and Francis Crick helped work out the structure of DNA; Constable painted and Britten composed. Handbook section 4.17.
13. In which sport did Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson win eleven Paralympic gold medals?
- Wheelchair racing — correct answer
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Table tennis
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is a wheelchair racer who won eleven Paralympic gold medals and the London Marathon six times. Handbook section 4.5.
14. Which of these best shows tolerance in everyday life?
- Treating a neighbour with respect even though they hold different beliefs from you — correct answer
- Asking a neighbour to hide their beliefs
- Only speaking to people who share your faith
- Reporting a neighbour for going to a different place of worship
Tolerance means accepting that other people may believe and live differently from you, and treating them with respect anyway. Handbook section 1.1.
15. St Patrick, one of the great missionaries of this period, is the patron saint of which country?
- England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Ireland — correct answer
St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He is remembered as one of the missionaries who spread Christianity in these islands. Handbook section 3.3.
16. During which centuries did the Industrial Revolution take place in Britain?
- The 19th and 20th centuries
- The 16th and 17th centuries
- The 18th and 19th centuries — correct answer
- The 15th and 16th centuries
The Industrial Revolution took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was the rapid growth of industry and factory work. Handbook section 3.13.
17. What happens if you are summoned for jury service?
- You must attend unless you are not eligible or have a good reason to be excused — correct answer
- You may simply ignore the letter
- You may send a relative in your place
- You must pay a fee to take part
Jury service is a public duty. You must go unless you are ineligible or the court excuses you for a good reason such as serious illness. Handbook section 5.15.
18. What can visitors see at the Eden Project?
- Huge domes holding plants from around the world — correct answer
- The Crown Jewels
- A collection of Western European paintings
- A Ferris wheel over a river
The Eden Project is built around huge domes, called biomes, which hold plants from many different climates around the world. Handbook section 4.15.
19. What does the National Trust do?
- It preserves important buildings, coastline and countryside — correct answer
- It runs the national parks for the government
- It gives grants to new artists
- It inspects hotels and restaurants
The National Trust preserves important buildings, coastline and countryside so that the public can continue to enjoy them. Handbook section 4.12.
20. From which country of the UK do Welsh cakes come?
- Wales — correct answer
- Scotland
- England
- Northern Ireland
Welsh cakes are a traditional Welsh food: small speckled cakes made with fruit and cooked on a griddle. Handbook section 4.13.
21. What does the pledge made at a citizenship ceremony promise?
- Loyalty to the UK, respect for its rights and freedoms, and obedience to its laws — correct answer
- That you will never leave the UK
- That you will give up any other nationality
- That you will vote at every election
In the pledge, new citizens promise loyalty to the United Kingdom, respect for its rights and freedoms, and that they will uphold its democratic values and obey its laws. Handbook section 1.4.
22. Where can you find volunteering opportunities near you?
- Through volunteering websites, local volunteer centres and your council — correct answer
- Only through your employer
- Only through a political party
- Only through the courts
Local volunteer centres, council websites and national volunteering sites all list opportunities, from a few hours a month to regular commitments. Handbook section 5.19.
23. Why did the Vikings first come to Britain?
- To spread Christianity
- To help the Romans defend the coast
- To raid coastal towns and take goods and slaves — correct answer
- To trade wool with the Anglo-Saxons
The Vikings first came to raid coastal towns, taking goods and slaves. Only later did they begin to settle and stay. Handbook section 3.4.
24. What is Snowdon?
- The highest mountain in Wales — correct answer
- The largest lake in Wales
- A castle in North Wales
- A Welsh national museum
Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, standing 1,085 metres above sea level in the Snowdonia National Park. Handbook section 4.15.
What paper 13 asks about
These 24 questions come from 5 chapters of the official handbook. By the difficulty the questions were written at, that is 8 easy, 14 medium and 2 harder.
Chapters in this paper
- The values and principles of the UK — 2 questions
- What is the UK? — 1 question
- A long and illustrious history — 6 questions
- A modern, thriving society — 8 questions
- The UK government, the law and your role — 7 questions
The topics it leans on most
- Places of interest — 3 questions
- Notable Britons — 2 questions
- The fundamental principles of British life — 1 question
- The citizenship ceremony — 1 question
- The capital cities of the UK — 1 question
- The Anglo-Saxons — 1 question
- The Vikings — 1 question
- The Tudors — 1 question
Revise before the next paper
A mock test tells you where you stand. These pages are where you close the gaps.