Life in the UK Practice Test 7
24 questions, just like the real test. You need 18 correct to pass. Every answer is explained — and you do not need an account to take it.
Which of these statements about Remembrance Day is correct?
All 24 questions, answers and explanations
1. Which of these statements about Remembrance Day is correct?
- • It marks the beginning of the First World War and is a bank holiday throughout the UK.
- • At midday there is a one-minute silence and wreaths are laid at Westminster Abbey.
- • It is held on 5 November and people wear poppies and set off fireworks.
- ✓ At 11.00 am there is a two-minute silence and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
Why: Remembrance Day, 11 November, commemorates those who died fighting for the UK and its allies; originally it commemorated the dead of the First World War, which ended on 11 November 1918. People wear poppies, and at 11.00 am there is a two-minute silence with wreaths laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
2. Which TWO of these foods are part of the special meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Day?
- • Chocolate eggs
- ✓ Roast turkey
- • Pancakes
- • Mince pies
Why: The special Christmas Day meal often includes roast turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies. Pancakes belong to Shrove Tuesday, and chocolate 'Easter eggs' are given at Easter as a symbol of new life.
3. Which TWO days connected with Easter are public holidays in the UK?
- ✓ Easter Monday
- • Easter Sunday
- • Good Friday
- • Shrove Tuesday
Why: Easter takes place in March or April. Good Friday, which marks the death of Jesus Christ, and the following Easter Monday are both public holidays; Easter Sunday, when Christians remember his rising from the dead, and Shrove Tuesday are not.
4. Which TWO patron saints' days fall in March?
- ✓ St Patrick's Day
- • St George's Day
- • St Andrew's Day
- • St David's Day
Why: St David's Day (Wales) is 1 March and St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland) is 17 March. St George's Day (England) is 23 April and St Andrew's Day (Scotland) is 30 November.
5. Which flower is particularly associated with Wales and is sometimes worn on its national saint's day?
- • Thistle
- • Shamrock
- • Rose
- ✓ Daffodil
Why: The daffodil is the flower associated with Wales. The rose belongs to England, the thistle to Scotland and the shamrock to Northern Ireland; these flowers are sometimes worn on national saints' days.
6. The shamrock is the flower particularly associated with which part of the UK?
- • England
- • Wales
- ✓ Northern Ireland
- • Scotland
Why: The shamrock is associated with Northern Ireland. Scotland's flower is the thistle, Wales' is the daffodil and England's is the rose.
7. What is an 'allotment'?
- • A plot of land set aside by a council for a new housing development
- ✓ Additional land that people rent in order to grow fruit and vegetables
- • A fixed sum of money the government gives towards garden equipment
- • A small share of a public park that a community group maintains for free
Why: An allotment is additional land that people rent to grow fruit and vegetables. Gardening is a popular leisure activity, and gardening and flower shows range from major national exhibitions to small local events.
8. Which traditional dish is made from a sheep's stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal?
- ✓ Haggis
- • Ulster fry
- • Welsh cakes
- • Yorkshire pudding
Why: Haggis is the dish traditionally associated with Scotland and is made from a sheep's stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal.
9. Which traditional dish is served with potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire puddings?
- ✓ Roast beef
- • Ulster fry
- • Haggis
- • Fish and chips
Why: Roast beef is traditionally associated with England and is served with potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire puddings (batter baked in the oven) and other accompaniments. Fish and chips are also popular in England.
10. What is the minimum age at which a person may buy alcohol in a pub or night club?
- • 17
- ✓ 18
- • 16
- • 21
Why: You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in a pub or night club, although people under that age may be allowed into some pubs if they are with an adult.
11. From what age may a person drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant, provided they are with someone over 18?
- • 18
- ✓ 16
- • 15
- • 17
Why: When they are 16, people can drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant (including eating areas in pubs) as long as they are with someone over 18. Buying alcohol still requires being 18 or over.
12. On Sundays, what time do pubs in the UK usually open?
- ✓ 12 noon
- • 11.00 am
- • 1.00 pm
- • 10.00 am
Why: Pubs are usually open during the day from 11.00 am, but from 12 noon on Sundays. Night clubs with dancing and music usually open and close later than pubs.
13. What is the maximum fine you can receive for watching TV without a television licence?
- • £500
- • £2,000
- • £100
- ✓ £1,000
Why: You will receive a fine of up to £1,000 if you watch TV but do not have a TV licence. Everyone with a TV, computer or other medium that can be used for watching TV must have a licence.
14. You have to be 18 to go into betting shops or gambling clubs, and 18 to take part in the National Lottery.
- • True
- ✓ False
Why: False. You have to be 18 to go into betting shops or gambling clubs, but the National Lottery is open from 16 — the two age limits are different.
15. The BBC is funded mainly through advertisements and subscriptions.
- • True
- ✓ False
Why: False. The money from TV licences pays for the BBC, which is the only wholly state-funded media organisation that is independent of government. It is the other UK channels that are primarily funded through advertisements and subscriptions.
16. Bowls and snooker are the two games named in the handbook as traditional pub games.
- • True
- ✓ False
Why: False. Pool and darts are the traditional pub games. Pub quizzes are also popular, and most communities have a 'local' pub that is a focal point for social activities.
17. Which of these statements about shopping in the UK is correct?
- ✓ Most shops are open seven days a week, although trading hours on Sundays and public holidays are generally reduced.
- • Markets are held in most towns on every day of the week.
- • Shops in the UK are required by law to close on Sundays and public holidays.
- • Undercover shopping centres are only ever built on the outskirts of towns and cities.
Why: Most shops in the UK open seven days a week, but Sunday and public holiday trading hours are generally reduced. Undercover shopping centres may be in town centres or on the outskirts, and many towns have markets on one or more days a week.
18. Which TWO of these items are part of a traditional Ulster fry?
- ✓ Soda bread
- • Potato bread
- • Yorkshire pudding
- • Oatmeal
Why: An Ulster fry, traditionally associated with Northern Ireland, is a fried meal with bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, white pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, soda bread and potato bread. Yorkshire pudding accompanies English roast beef and oatmeal is an ingredient of Scottish haggis.
19. According to the handbook, which TWO of these are ways people use social networking websites?
- ✓ To stay in touch with friends
- • To register to vote in elections
- • To organise social events
- • To pay household bills
Why: Social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter are a popular way for people to stay in touch with friends, organise social events, and share photos, videos and opinions. Many people use social networking on their mobile phones when out and about.
20. In which year did Sir Roger Bannister become the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes?
- • 1966
- • 1948
- • 1972
- ✓ 1954
Why: Sir Roger Bannister (1929–) was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes, which he achieved in 1954.
21. Who captained the English football team that won the World Cup in 1966?
- • Sir Roger Bannister
- ✓ Bobby Moore
- • Sir Ian Botham
- • Sir Jackie Stewart
Why: Bobby Moore (1941–93) captained the English football team that won the World Cup in 1966 — England's only international tournament victory, in a World Cup hosted in the UK.
22. At which Olympic Games did Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean win gold medals for ice dancing?
- • 1976
- • 2004
- • 1994
- ✓ 1984
Why: Jayne Torvill (1957–) and Christopher Dean (1958–) won gold medals for ice dancing at the Olympic Games in 1984 and in four consecutive world championships.
23. Where was the main Olympic site for the 2012 Games?
- • Cowes, Isle of Wight
- • Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire
- ✓ Stratford, East London
- • Wembley, north London
Why: The main Olympic site for the 2012 Games was in Stratford, East London. The 2012 Paralympic Games were also hosted in London.
24. The Paralympic Games have their origin in the work of which person at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire?
- ✓ Dr Sir Ludwig Guttmann
- • David Weir
- • Sir Francis Chichester
- • Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
Why: The Paralympics originate in the work of Dr Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a German refugee, at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire. He developed new methods of treatment for people with spinal injuries and encouraged patients to take part in exercise and sport.