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Life in the UK Test: The UK Government, the Law and Your Role — Practice Questions

The final chapter of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, explains how the UK is governed: the constitutional monarchy, Parliament — the House of Commons and the House of Lords — elections, the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the UK's place in international organisations such as the Commonwealth, NATO and the United Nations.

It then turns to the law: how laws are made, the courts, the police, and your own role — voting, jury service, and taking part in your community. It carries a large share of questions in our practice bank, and its practical detail is easy to underestimate. Each question below comes from our bank, with the correct answer and a plain-language explanation.

Practice questions

1 · Blood and organ donation

What is donated blood used for?

  1. To replace public transport fuel
  2. To train hospital staff
  3. ✓ To help people with a wide range of injuries and illnesses — Correct answer
  4. To make all medicines in the UK
Explanation

Hospitals use donated blood to help people with a wide range of injuries and illnesses.

2 · Civil courts

In Scotland, most of the civil matters handled by County Courts elsewhere are dealt with in which court?

  1. High Court
  2. Youth Court
  3. Court of Appeal
  4. ✓ Sheriff Court — Correct answer
Explanation

In Scotland, most of these civil matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court. More serious civil cases go to the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

3 · Constitutional institutions

Which of these is one of the main constitutional institutions in the UK?

  1. The postal service
  2. The national football team
  3. ✓ The civil service — Correct answer
  4. The National Health Service
Explanation

The civil service is one of the main constitutional institutions because it helps the government run day to day. Other main constitutional institutions include the monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister, the cabinet, the judiciary, the police and local government.

4 · Criminal courts

What verdicts can a jury give in Scotland?

  1. Responsible and not responsible
  2. ✓ Guilty, not guilty, and not proven — Correct answer
  3. Guilty and not guilty only
  4. Convicted and acquitted only
Explanation

In Scotland, a jury can return guilty, not guilty, or not proven. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the two verdicts are guilty and not guilty.

5 · Devolved administrations

Which powers stay with the central UK government?

  1. Civil and criminal law, health, education and planning
  2. Education, health and social services, housing and planning
  3. Education, agriculture, the environment, health and social services
  4. ✓ Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security — Correct answer
Explanation

Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security remain under central UK government control. Many other public services are handled by the devolved administrations.

6 · Domestic violence

Which support can help a person facing domestic violence?

  1. ✓ A solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau — Correct answer
  2. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  3. An MEP
  4. The Speaker of the House of Commons
Explanation

A solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau can explain the options available to someone facing domestic violence. In some areas, refuges or shelters are also available.

7 · Driving

How long can a licence from most non-EU countries usually be used in the UK?

  1. Only for 1 month
  2. For 6 months
  3. ✓ Up to 12 months — Correct answer
  4. For 2 years
Explanation

A licence from most countries outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway can usually be used in the UK for up to 12 months. After that, the driver may need to get a UK licence.

8 · Elections

What is a byelection?

  1. ✓ A fresh election held in a constituency when an MP dies or resigns — Correct answer
  2. An election for the European Parliament every five years
  3. A local meeting between an MP and constituents
  4. A vote to choose the Speaker
Explanation

If an MP dies or resigns, a fresh election called a byelection is held in that constituency.

9 · Elections and representation

Where can many representatives meet constituents in person to talk about concerns?

  1. At a constituency advice centre
  2. At a local council office
  3. At a tax return centre
  4. ✓ At regular local surgeries — Correct answer
Explanation

Many MPs, Assembly members, MSPs and MEPs hold regular local surgeries. These meetings let constituents speak in person about issues that matter to them.

10 · Equal opportunities

Which organisation can help in England and Wales with discrimination problems?

  1. ✓ Equality and Human Rights Commission — Correct answer
  2. The House of Commons
  3. Home Office
  4. Citizens Advice
Explanation

In England and Wales, the Equality and Human Rights Commission can help with discrimination problems. It deals with unfair treatment in work, services, and public life. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different bodies for this work.

11 · Female genital mutilation

What is the legal status of female genital mutilation in the UK?

  1. It is allowed if done abroad
  2. It is allowed with parental consent
  3. ✓ It is illegal — Correct answer
  4. It is a civil matter only
Explanation

Female genital mutilation is illegal in the UK. Practising FGM or taking a girl or woman abroad for FGM is a criminal offence.

12 · Forced marriage

What is the legal status of forcing another person to marry?

  1. It is always allowed if families agree
  2. ✓ It is a criminal offence — Correct answer
  3. It is not covered by the law
  4. It is only against social custom
Explanation

Forcing another person to marry is a criminal offence. A marriage must be entered into with the full and free consent of both people involved.

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Common questions

What is a constitutional monarchy?
A system where the King is head of state but elected representatives in Parliament make the laws. The handbook explains how the monarchy, the government and Parliament fit together.
Does this chapter cover voting and elections?
Yes — who can vote, how elections work, and how to register. It also covers jury service and other ways residents take part in public life.
Are laws different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Some are. The handbook explains devolution — the powers of the devolved parliament and assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — and notes where the legal systems differ.

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