Legal and political changes — Life in the UK Test practice questions
These practice questions cover Legal and political changes, part of the A long and illustrious history 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 charter of rights was forced on King John in 1215?
- The Statute of Rhuddlan
- The Act for the Government of Wales
- ✓ The Magna Carta — Correct answer
- The Book of Common Prayer
In 1215, King John agreed to the Magna Carta. It established that even the king was subject to the law.
What principle of the legal system began to be established in this period?
- Laws are never put in writing
- ✓ Judges are independent of the government — Correct answer
- Only nobles can judge cases
- Judges must follow the Pope's orders
The principle of judicial independence began to develop in the Middle Ages. Judges became more independent from the government, so legal decisions were less controlled by political power.
What did the Magna Carta establish about the king?
- ✓ Even the king had to obey the law — Correct answer
- The king could ignore taxes
- The king ruled without the nobles
- The king could choose the Pope
The Magna Carta showed that the king was not above the law. It also helped establish the idea that rulers must follow rules too.
Who was elected to sit in the House of Commons in England?
- Only Irish chieftains
- ✓ Knights of the shire and burgesses from towns and cities — Correct answer
- Only the king's advisers
- Only bishops
Knights of the shire represented counties, and burgesses represented towns and cities in the House of Commons. These were the elected members of the English Parliament's lower house in its early history.