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Final rehearsal · Test 20 of 24

Life in the UK practice test 20: Dress Rehearsal

Paper 20 is a dress rehearsal. Sit it at the same time of day your real appointment is booked for, on the same device you will travel with, and treat it as the appointment itself.

How to sit this one. Same time of day, same 45 minutes, no notes. The point is to make the real sitting the second time you have done all this, not the first.

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 20, 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. How did the first people reach Britain in the Stone Age?

    • They were brought by Roman ships
    • They crossed the Channel in iron boats
    • They arrived from Ireland by bridge
    • They walked across a land bridge that joined Britain to the continent — correct answer

    For most of the Stone Age, Britain was joined to the continent by a land bridge. The first people simply walked across it. Handbook section 3.1.

  2. 2. In which year was the first census of the UK population taken?

    • 1801 — correct answer
    • 1601
    • 1901
    • 1951

    The first census of the whole population was taken in 1801, and one has been taken regularly ever since. Handbook section 4.1.

  3. 3. In which century did the Enlightenment take place?

    • The 18th century — correct answer
    • The 19th century
    • The 20th century
    • The 16th century

    The Enlightenment happened during the 18th century. It was a period of new ideas about politics, philosophy and science. Handbook section 3.12.

  4. 4. What is the capital city of Northern Ireland?

    • Belfast — correct answer
    • Londonderry
    • Armagh
    • Dublin

    Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which meets at Stormont. Handbook section 2.3.

  5. 5. In which year did Parliament invite Charles II to return as king?

    • 1660 — correct answer
    • 1666
    • 1649
    • 1653

    In 1660 Parliament invited Charles II to come back from exile and take the throne. This is known as the Restoration. Handbook section 3.11.

  6. 6. What do people in the UK remember on 11 November each year?

    • Those who died fighting for the UK and its allies — correct answer
    • The birth of the monarch
    • The end of rationing
    • The founding of the National Health Service

    Remembrance Day on 11 November honours those who died fighting for the UK and its allies; people wear poppies and keep a two-minute silence at 11am. Handbook section 4.4.

  7. 7. 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.

  8. 8. 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.

  9. 9. 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.

  10. 10. Which TWO of these places were built by people in Britain before the Romans arrived?

    • Skara Brae — correct answer
    • Hadrian's Wall
    • Westminster Abbey
    • Stonehenge — correct answer

    Stonehenge in Wiltshire and Skara Brae on Orkney were both built long before the Romans came. Hadrian's Wall is Roman and Westminster Abbey is far later. Handbook section 3.1.

  11. 11. What does it usually cost to see the permanent collection of a major UK museum?

    • Nothing, because entry is free — correct answer
    • A small charge set by the council
    • The same as a cinema ticket
    • It depends on where you live

    Many museums and galleries in the UK let visitors see their permanent collections free of charge, although special exhibitions may cost money. Handbook section 4.12.

  12. 12. In which year did England win the football World Cup?

    • 1966 — correct answer
    • 1948
    • 1982
    • 2012

    England won the football World Cup in 1966, when the tournament was held in the UK. Handbook section 4.5.

  13. 13. Why is recycling encouraged in the UK?

    • It reduces waste and saves the natural resources used to make new products — correct answer
    • It increases the amount sent to landfill
    • It removes the need for rubbish collections
    • It is required to vote in elections

    Recycling turns used materials into new products, cutting both the waste that goes to landfill and the raw materials that have to be dug up or grown. Handbook section 5.20.

  14. 14. 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.

  15. 15. What was the population of the UK in 2010?

    • Just over 62 million — correct answer
    • Just under 40 million
    • About 50 million
    • About 75 million

    By 2010 the UK population had reached just over 62 million people, and it has continued to grow since then. Handbook section 4.1.

  16. 16. 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.

  17. 17. What are the Proms?

    • An eight-week summer season of classical music concerts — correct answer
    • A national competition for young singers
    • A weekly radio programme about folk music
    • A prize for the best British album

    The Proms are an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical music concerts, ending with the famous Last Night of the Proms. Handbook section 4.6.

  18. 18. At which time of year are pantomimes performed in the UK?

    • Around Christmas — correct answer
    • At Easter
    • In midsummer
    • On Bonfire Night

    Pantomimes are performed around Christmas and are usually based on well-known fairy tales. Handbook section 4.7.

  19. 19. Select the TWO correct statements about the official Life in the UK test.

    • It contains 24 questions — correct answer
    • It lasts 45 minutes — correct answer
    • It is marked by hand and returned after a month
    • It can be taken at home

    The test has 24 multiple-choice questions and lasts 45 minutes. It is taken and marked at a registered test centre, and you get the result the same day. Handbook section 1.3.

  20. 20. 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.

  21. 21. In which year was the Spanish Armada defeated?

    • 1558
    • 1588 — correct answer
    • 1605
    • 1485

    The Spanish Armada was defeated in 1588. It is the most famous event of Elizabeth I's reign. Handbook section 3.8.

  22. 22. Which crosses are combined in the Union Flag?

    • The crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick — correct answer
    • The crosses of St George, St David and St Patrick
    • The crosses of St Andrew, St David and St Patrick
    • The crosses of St George and St Andrew only

    The Union Flag brings together the crosses of St George for England, St Andrew for Scotland and St Patrick for Ireland. Handbook section 4.3.

  23. 23. 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.

  24. 24. Who won the Battle of Bosworth Field and became king?

    • William of Orange
    • Edward IV
    • Richard the Lionheart
    • Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII — correct answer

    Henry Tudor of the House of Lancaster won at Bosworth and became King Henry VII, the first Tudor king. Handbook section 3.7.

What paper 20 asks about

These 24 questions come from 5 chapters of the official handbook. By the difficulty the questions were written at, that is 12 easy and 12 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.