Life in the UK test questions on the Prime Minister and the cabinet

Practise the Prime Minister and the cabinet

Questions and answers on the Prime Minister and the cabinet

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. Who becomes Prime Minister?

   • The leader of the party that can command a majority in the House of Commons — correct answer
   • The oldest member of the House of Lords
   • The candidate with the most votes across the whole country
   • The person chosen by the Supreme Court

   The Prime Minister is the leader of the party in power. The post depends on holding the confidence of the elected House of Commons. Handbook section 5.6.

2. 2. What is the cabinet?

   • The committee of senior ministers who make important government decisions — correct answer
   • The group of civil servants who run Downing Street
   • The panel of judges who advise the monarch
   • The team of officials who count election votes

   The cabinet is made up of about 20 senior ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. It meets regularly to settle the government's most important decisions. Handbook section 5.6.

3. 3. What is the main role of the opposition in Parliament?

   • To hold the government to account and point out where it is failing — correct answer
   • To run the government departments
   • To appoint judges
   • To approve the monarch's speeches

   The opposition's job is to scrutinise, challenge and offer an alternative. A government that is questioned publicly is one that has to justify itself. Handbook section 5.6.

4. 4. Which minister is responsible for the economy and the public finances?

   • The Chancellor of the Exchequer — correct answer
   • The Home Secretary
   • The Foreign Secretary
   • The Lord Chancellor

   The Chancellor of the Exchequer is in charge of the economy. The Chancellor sets out taxes and public spending in the Budget. Handbook section 5.6.

5. 5. 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.

6. 6. What is the shadow cabinet?

   • Senior opposition MPs who each challenge a particular government minister — correct answer
   • A secret committee of civil servants
   • The group of peers who revise bills
   • The Prime Minister's personal advisers

   The Leader of the Opposition appoints senior colleagues to shadow each cabinet minister, scrutinising their work and developing alternative policies. Handbook section 5.6.