The government — Life in the UK Test practice questions
These practice questions cover The government, part of the The UK government, the law and your role chapter of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The correct answer and a clear explanation sit under every question.
Practice questions
What is the job of the Foreign Secretary?
- Leading the opposition in the House of Commons
- Responsible for education, health and defence
- Responsible for the economy
- ✓ Managing relationships with foreign countries — Correct answer
The Foreign Secretary is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries. Other cabinet ministers handle different areas such as the economy, education, health and defence.
Where is the official home of the Prime Minister?
- Chequers
- ✓ 10 Downing Street — Correct answer
- Houses of Parliament
- Cardiff
The official home of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street in central London, near the Houses of Parliament. Chequers is the country house outside London.
Which minister is responsible for the economy?
- Foreign Secretary
- Leader of the opposition
- Home Secretary
- ✓ Chancellor of the Exchequer — Correct answer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy. The Home Secretary handles crime, policing and immigration, and the Foreign Secretary manages relationships with foreign countries.
Which group of people is one of the main political parties in the UK?
- Greenpeace
- Liberty
- ✓ The Liberal Democrats — Correct answer
- The CBI
The main political parties include the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats, as well as parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests.
Which post is responsible for crime, policing and immigration?
- ✓ Home Secretary — Correct answer
- Leader of the opposition
- Foreign Secretary
- Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy.
What is the shadow cabinet for?
- To appoint judges
- ✓ To challenge the government and put forward alternative policies — Correct answer
- To run local elections
- To supervise polling stations
The shadow cabinet is formed by senior opposition MPs. Its role is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.
What are civil servants expected to be?
- Directly elected
- Judges
- Members of the opposition
- ✓ Politically neutral — Correct answer
Civil servants are chosen on merit and are politically neutral. They support the government and deliver public services.
Which minister is responsible for crime, policing and immigration?
- Secretary of State for Education
- Foreign Secretary
- Chancellor of the Exchequer
- ✓ Home Secretary — Correct answer
The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for the economy, and the Foreign Secretary is responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries.