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Government & Law

Practice Test 3 — The UK Government, the Law and Your Role

Open practice — answers shown

This is a study-mode test: each correct answer is highlighted and an explanation appears beneath every question. For a clean run-through under exam conditions, take one of our timed mock tests instead.

25 questions
Government & Law chapter focus
Question 1 of 25

Which of the following is correct?

  1. MPs are elected through a system called 'first past the post'  ✓
  2. MPs are elected through a system called 'proportional representation'
Answer: A — MPs are elected through a system called 'first past the post'. In each constituency, the candidate who gets the most votes is elected. The government is usually formed by the party that wins the majority of constituencies. If no party wins a majority, two parties may join together to form a coalition.
Question 2 of 25

The roles of police community support officers (PCSOs) are

  1. patrol the street  ✓
  2. prevent inflation
  3. work with the public  ✓
  4. prevent cold weather
  5. support police officers at crime scenes and major events  ✓
Answer: A, C, E
Question 3 of 25

The second-largest party in the House of Commons is called

  1. the opposition  ✓
  2. the cabinet
  3. the country party
Answer: A
Question 4 of 25

How often are 'Prime Minister's Questions' held in the parliament?

  1. Every day
  2. Every week  ✓
  3. Every two weeks
  4. Once a month
Answer: B
Question 5 of 25

If your driving licence is from a country in the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, you can drive in the UK for

  1. One year from the date of the entry in the UK
  2. Two years from the date of the entry in the UK
  3. As long as your licence is valid  ✓
  4. No, you must pass the UK driving test before you can drive
Answer: C
Question 6 of 25

The leader of the Opposition appoints senior opposition MPs to be what?

  1. Home Secretary
  2. Local Mayors
  3. Shadow Ministers  ✓
  4. Chancellor of the Exchequer
Answer: C — The leader of the Opposition also appoints senior opposition MPs to be ‘shadow ministers’. They form the shadow cabinet and their role is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.
Question 7 of 25

Northern Ireland Assembly has ______ elected members

  1. 108  ✓
  2. 180
  3. 200
Answer: A
Question 8 of 25

The Prime Minister appoints about ______ senior MPs to become ministers in charge of departments

  1. 10
  2. 20  ✓
  3. 30
  4. 40
Answer: B
Question 9 of 25

The first man to be called the Prime Minister was ______, who was Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742

  1. Isaac Newton
  2. Sir Robert Walpole  ✓
  3. Ernest Rutherford
  4. Howard Florey
Answer: B
Question 10 of 25

To get a UK driving licence you must pass a driving test, which tests both

  1. your blood test
  2. your practical skills  ✓
  3. your sugar test
  4. your knowledge  ✓
  5. your eye test
Answer: B, D
Question 11 of 25

What is an example of a Criminal Offence?

  1. Selling Tobacco to under 18's  ✓
  2. Discrimination in the workplace
  3. Housing disputes
  4. Owing Money
Answer: A — Examples of criminal laws are - Carrying a weapon: it is a criminal offence to carry a weapon of any kind, even if it is for self-defence. This includes a gun, a knife or anything that is made or adapted to cause injury; Drugs: selling or buying drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis is illegal in the UK; Racial crime: it is a criminal offence to cause harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin; Selling tobacco: it is illegal to sell tobacco products (for example, cigarettes, cigars, roll-up tobacco) to anyone under the age of 18; Smoking in public places: it is against the law to smoke tobacco products in nearly every enclosed public place in the UK. There are signs displayed to tell you where you cannot smoke; Buying alcohol: it is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone who is under 18 or to buy alcohol for people who are under the age of 18; Drinking in public: some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public. The police can also confiscate alcohol or move young people on from public places. You can be fined or arrested.
Question 12 of 25

How old do you have to be to stand for election as an MP?

  1. 16
  2. 18  ✓
  3. 21
  4. 25
Answer: B — 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
Question 13 of 25

What are the MPs who don’t represent a political party called?

  1. Independents  ✓
  2. Sole MP
  3. Neutrals
  4. Civil MP
Answer: A — There are a few MPs who do not represent any of the main political parties. They are called ‘independents’ and usually represent an issue important to their constituency.
Question 14 of 25

A driving licence held by a driver over 70 should be renewed ______

  1. Every year
  2. Every 3 years  ✓
  3. Every 5 years
  4. Every 10 years
Answer: B
Question 15 of 25

A National Insurance number on its own proves to an employer that you have the right to work in the UK

  1. True
  2. False  ✓
Answer: B
Question 16 of 25

You can contact the Assembly Booking Service to book guided tours or seats in the public galleries for the Welsh Assembly

  1. True  ✓
  2. False
Answer: A
Question 17 of 25

Which two houses form the UK Parliament?

  1. The House of Lords  ✓
  2. House of Members
  3. House of Commons  ✓
  4. House of Fraser
Answer: A, C
Question 18 of 25

Which party did Margaret Thatcher belong to?

  1. Labour
  2. Liberal Democrats
  3. Conservative  ✓
  4. UKIP
Answer: C — Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first woman Prime Minister, led the Conservative government from 1979 to 1990.
Question 19 of 25

Examples of civil laws are

  1. Carrying a weapon or drugs
  2. Unfair dismissal or discrimination in the workplace  ✓
  3. Murder, racial crime
  4. Theft and assault
  5. Disputes between landlords and tenants  ✓
  6. Faulty consumer goods or services  ✓
Answer: B, E, F
Question 20 of 25

Everyone in England, Wales and Scotland have to fill in individual electoral registration form. (Also known as 'Individual Registration')

  1. True
  2. False  ✓
Answer: B — This system operates in Northern Ireland. This is called 'individual registration' and all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form
Question 21 of 25

In which country was Charles II residing before he was invited to England by the Parliament?

  1. Netherlands  ✓
  2. Germany
  3. Ireland
  4. France
Answer: A — In May 1660, Parliament invited Charles II to come back from exile in the Netherlands. He was crowned King Charles II of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Question 22 of 25

Britain has a constitutional Monarchy in which the King or The Queen have unlimited powers

  1. True
  2. False  ✓
Answer: B
Question 23 of 25

More serious civil cases (for example, when a large amount of compensation is being claimed) are dealt with in the ______ in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

  1. Sheriff Court
  2. County Court
  3. High Court  ✓
  4. Peace Courts
Answer: C
Question 24 of 25

Everyone in the UK with a TV, computer or other medium which can be used for watching TV must have a ______

  1. television licence  ✓
  2. copyright licence
  3. driving licence
  4. personal licence
Answer: A
Question 25 of 25

The second largest party in the House of Commons is usually known by ______

  1. the Opposition  ✓
  2. the Senate
  3. the Other Side
  4. the Lords
Answer: A

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