The Restoration — Life in the UK Test practice questions
These practice questions cover The Restoration, 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
Who designed the new St Paul’s Cathedral after the great fire?
- Samuel Pepys
- Isaac Newton
- ✓ Sir Christopher Wren — Correct answer
- Sir Francis Drake
Sir Christopher Wren designed the new St Paul’s after the fire. Pepys wrote a diary, Newton was a scientist, and Drake was an explorer.
Which scientific society was formed during Charles II’s reign?
- The Commonwealth
- ✓ The Royal Society — Correct answer
- The House of Commons
- The Church of Scotland
The Royal Society was formed during Charles II’s reign to promote natural knowledge. It is the oldest surviving scientific society in the world.
Which disaster struck London during Charles II’s reign?
- A plague outbreak in 1641
- A naval battle in 1690
- A fire outbreak in 1679
- ✓ The Great Plague of 1665 — Correct answer
The Great Plague was the well-known London plague of 1665, and it struck during Charles II’s reign. The other options name different events and do not fit this plague outbreak.
What was the scientific society formed during Charles II’s reign?
- The Commonwealth
- ✓ The Royal Society — Correct answer
- The House of Commons
- The Church of England
The Royal Society was formed during Charles II’s reign to promote natural knowledge. The other options are not scientific societies: the House of Commons is part of Parliament, the Commonwealth was a form of government, and the Church of England is a Christian church.
What did the Habeas Corpus Act protect?
- ✓ That no one could be held prisoner unlawfully — Correct answer
- That the king could rule without Parliament
- That all churches had to be Catholic
- That explorers could claim new land
The Habeas Corpus Act became law in 1679 and protected people from unlawful imprisonment. Every prisoner has a right to a court hearing.
Which scientific society was formed during Charles II's reign?
- ✓ The Royal Society — Correct answer
- The Halley Society
- The Commonwealth Society
- The Canterbury Society
The Royal Society was formed during Charles II’s reign to promote natural knowledge. It is the oldest surviving scientific society in the world.
Which church again became the established official Church after Charles II returned?
- The Presbyterian Church in Scotland
- ✓ The Church of England — Correct answer
- The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland
- The Royal Society
When Charles II returned in 1660, the Church of England again became the established official Church. Roman Catholics and Puritans were kept out of power.
In which year did Parliament invite Charles II to return from exile?
- 1649
- ✓ 1660 — Correct answer
- 1688
- 1679
Parliament invited Charles II back from exile in the Netherlands in May 1660. He then became King Charles II of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.