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Final rehearsal · Test 22 of 24

Life in the UK practice test 22: Last Weak Spots

Paper 22 is for hunting the last gaps. This late in your revision, a wrong answer is far more useful than a right one, because there are only a handful of them left to find.

How to sit this one. Sit it under full conditions, then read every explanation you got wrong twice and go back to those handbook sections the same day.

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 22, 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 novel was written by Jane Austen?

    • Pride and Prejudice — correct answer
    • Oliver Twist
    • Treasure Island
    • Brighton Rock

    Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, which are still widely read and filmed today. Handbook section 4.10.

  2. 2. Who discovered penicillin in 1928?

    • Sir Alexander Fleming — correct answer
    • Sir Robert Edwards
    • Sir Ian Wilmut
    • Sir Tim Berners-Lee

    Sir Alexander Fleming, who was born in Scotland, discovered penicillin in 1928 while working in a London hospital. Handbook section 4.16.

  3. 3. How can someone support a political party without becoming a candidate?

    • By campaigning for it, such as delivering leaflets or canvassing voters — correct answer
    • By voting more than once
    • By paying the party's taxes
    • By joining the civil service

    Party supporters help by canvassing, delivering leaflets and raising money. Anyone who wants a bigger role can also stand for election. Handbook section 5.18.

  4. 4. 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.

  5. 5. What is expected of residents in dealing with household rubbish?

    • Dispose of it properly, using the collections and recycling the council provides — correct answer
    • Burn it in the garden
    • Leave it on the pavement at any time
    • Take it to a neighbour's bin

    Rubbish should go out for collection at the right time and in the right bins. Dumping waste elsewhere is fly-tipping, which is against the law. Handbook section 5.18.

  6. 6. What did Protestants believe about the Bible?

    • That it should be kept in Latin only
    • That it should not be read at all
    • That people should be able to read it in their own language — correct answer
    • That only the Pope should read it

    Protestants believed people should read the Bible in their own language rather than rely on priests reading Latin to them. Handbook section 3.9.

  7. 7. 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.

  8. 8. In a democracy, where does power ultimately lie?

    • With the people, who elect representatives to govern — correct answer
    • With the civil service
    • With the courts
    • With the largest newspaper

    Democracy means government by the people. In the UK the people elect Members of Parliament, and those MPs make the law on their behalf. Handbook section 1.1.

  9. 9. Where is a criminal case against a person aged 10 to 17 normally heard in England and Wales?

    • In a youth court, which the public may not attend — correct answer
    • In an open Crown Court with a jury
    • In the county court
    • In the Supreme Court

    Young people appear in a youth court before magistrates or a district judge. Members of the public are not admitted, and parents or carers are expected to attend. Handbook section 5.15.

  10. 10. What do new citizens receive at their citizenship ceremony?

    • A certificate of British citizenship — correct answer
    • A British passport
    • A National Insurance number
    • A polling card

    You are presented with a certificate of British citizenship at the ceremony. A passport is applied for separately, using that certificate. Handbook section 1.4.

  11. 11. 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.

  12. 12. 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.

  13. 13. 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.

  14. 14. What does the word 'democracy' mean when it is used to describe how a country is run?

    • A system in which the people hold power, usually through representatives they elect — correct answer
    • A system in which the army chooses the leader
    • A system in which one family rules for life
    • A system in which judges decide who governs

    Democracy means government by the people. In the UK the people do not vote on every decision themselves; they elect representatives to Parliament to decide on their behalf. Handbook section 5.1.

  15. 15. 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.

  16. 16. By what other name is the Union Flag commonly known?

    • The Union Jack — correct answer
    • The Royal Standard
    • The White Ensign
    • The Saltire

    The flag of the United Kingdom is called the Union Flag, and it is often known as the Union Jack. Handbook section 4.3.

  17. 17. How often must a general election be held at the latest?

    • At least every five years — correct answer
    • Every two years
    • Every seven years
    • Every ten years

    A general election must be held at least once every five years, so no House of Commons can sit for longer than that without facing the voters. Handbook section 5.4.

  18. 18. 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.

  19. 19. 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.

  20. 20. Which places are the Crown dependencies?

    • The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man — correct answer
    • The Falkland Islands and St Helena
    • The Isle of Wight and Anglesey
    • Gibraltar and Bermuda

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

  21. 21. How can you contact your MP about a problem?

    • By letter, telephone or email through their constituency office — correct answer
    • Only by writing to the monarch
    • Only by attending a party conference
    • Only through a solicitor

    You can write to, telephone or email your MP at their constituency office, or write to them at the House of Commons in London. Many MPs also hold surgeries. Handbook section 5.8.

  22. 22. 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.

  23. 23. 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.

  24. 24. 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.

What paper 22 asks about

These 24 questions come from 5 chapters of the official handbook. By the difficulty the questions were written at, that is 16 easy, 7 medium and 1 harder.

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.