Until It Sticks Open the app ›Government: Life in the UK practice questions
12 sample questions on government from the Until It Sticks bank. Open the answer under each question. In the real test some questions have two correct answers.
1. Who chairs the debates at the House of Commons?
- AA bishop
- BThe Prime Minister
- CThe Speaker
- DThe archbishop of Canterbury
Show the answer
C — The Speaker
Debates in the House of Commons are chaired by the Speaker.
Revise: Commons, Lords & the Speaker
2. What will you be given to vote before a general election takes place?
- AA ballot slip
- BA poll card
- CA voting slip
- DA poll tax relief
Show the answer
B — A poll card
Before the election you will be sent a poll card.
Revise: Elections & voting
3. What is the Home Secretary responsible for?
- AHealth
- BDefence
- CEducation
- DPolicing
Show the answer
D — Policing
The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration.
Revise: PM, ministers & civil service
4. How often are general elections held in the UK?
- AEvery 3 years
- BEvery 4 years
- CEvery 5 years
- DEvery 10 years
Show the answer
C — Every 5 years
MPs are elected at a General Election, which is held at least every five years.
Revise: Elections & voting
5. Which two houses form the UK Parliament?
- AThe House of Lords
- BHouse of Members
- CHouse of Commons
- DHouse of Fraser
Show the answer
A and C — The House of Lords; House of Commons
The UK Parliament is formed of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Revise: The system
6. You have to be at least 21 years old to stand as MP.
- ATrue
- BFalse
Show the answer
B — False
This statement is false. Anyone aged 18 or over can stand for election as an MP but they are unlikely to win unless they have been nominated to represent one of the major political parties.
Revise: Elections & voting
7. Where is the official home of the Prime Minister?
- A18 Oxford Street
- BBuckingham Palace
- CWindsor Castle
- D10 Downing Street
Show the answer
D — 10 Downing Street
The official home of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street.
Revise: PM, ministers & civil service
8. Which of the following actions is known as “canvassing”?
- ADonating blood to help people
- BVolunteering for an environmental charity
- CCaring for animals at a local rescue shelter
- DPersuading people to vote for a political party
Show the answer
D — Persuading people to vote for a political party
Members of political parties persuade people to vote for their candidates – for instance, by handing out leaflets in the street or by knocking on people’s doors and asking for their support.
Revise: Elections & voting
9. How often are ’Prime Minister’s Questions’ held in the parliament?
- AEvery day
- BEvery week
- CEvery two weeks
- DOnce a month
Show the answer
B — Every week
Prime Minister’s Questions takes place every week while Parliament is sitting.
Revise: Commons, Lords & the Speaker
10. Scotland and Wales use a system called ‘individual registration’ where all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form.
- ATrue
- BFalse
Show the answer
B — False
False. Northern Ireland uses a system called ‘individual registration’ and all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form.
Revise: Elections & voting
11. Which two issues can the devolved administrations pass laws on?
- ADefence
- BSocial security
- CHealth
- DEducation
Show the answer
C and D — Health; Education
Policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security all remain under central UK government control.
Revise: Devolution
12. Which of the following is a responsibility of the Home Secretary?
- AEconomy
- BCrime
- CEducation
- DDefence
Show the answer
B — Crime
The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration.
Revise: PM, ministers & civil service
These are 12 of the 404 questions in the app. In the app a question you miss comes back 8–12 cards later, then the next day, then three days later, until it sticks. Start free.