British Citizenship TestPractice

Chapter 5

The UK government, the law and your role

Parliament, the constitution, the courts, and what is expected of you in your community.

Read the chapter 5 study guide →

What this chapter covers

Practice questions — chapter 5

20 of our 194 questions for this chapter. Every answer includes the handbook section it comes from.

  1. 1. Which core values is the Commonwealth based on?

    1. Democracy, good government and the rule of law
    2. Free trade, open borders and a single currency
    3. Mutual defence and military co-operation
    4. A shared head of state and a shared parliament
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Democracy, good government and the rule of law

    The Commonwealth is an association of countries that work together towards shared goals in democracy and development, and it is founded on the core values of democracy, good government and the rule of law. It is not a trading bloc or a defence alliance.

    Handbook section 5.7

  2. 2. Select two statements that are true of the United Nations.

    Select two answers

    1. It was set up after the Second World War to prevent war and promote peace
    2. The UK is one of the five permanent members of its Security Council
    3. It was set up after the First World War
    4. It has fewer than 100 member countries
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It was set up after the Second World War to prevent war and promote peace and B. The UK is one of the five permanent members of its Security Council

    The UN was created after the Second World War with the aim of preventing war and promoting international peace and security. It has more than 190 member countries, and the UK is one of the five permanent members of its 15-member Security Council.

    Handbook section 5.7

  3. 3. What is the minimum age for becoming a school governor or a member of a school board?

    1. 18
    2. 16
    3. 21
    4. 25
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 18

    School governors must be aged 18 or over at the date of their election or appointment. There is no upper age limit, so older members of the community can serve too.

    Handbook section 5.8

  4. 4. Which of these roles can you volunteer for to help with policing in your area?

    1. A special constable
    2. A police detective
    3. A crown court judge
    4. A prison officer
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A special constable

    You can volunteer with the police as a special constable or as a lay (non-police) representative, and you can also apply to become a magistrate. Vacancies are often advertised in local newspapers, on local radio and at www.gov.uk.

    Handbook section 5.8

  5. 5. The UK is one of how many permanent members of the UN Security Council?

    1. Five
    2. Fifteen
    3. Ten
    4. Two
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Five

    The Security Council has 15 members in total and recommends action during international crises and threats to peace. The UK is one of its five permanent members. The UN itself, set up after the Second World War, has more than 190 member countries.

    Handbook section 5.7

  6. 6. Select two international organisations whose relationship with the UK is explained in this chapter.

    Select two answers

    1. The Commonwealth
    2. NATO
    3. OPEC
    4. The African Union
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Commonwealth and B. NATO

    The chapter explains the UK's international role through the Commonwealth, the European Union, the United Nations and NATO. It does not deal with OPEC or the African Union.

    Handbook section 5.1

  7. 7. What is a constitution?

    1. The set of principles by which a country is governed, including its institutions and the laws and conventions that keep their power in check
    2. A list of all the criminal offences that exist in a country
    3. The manifesto published by the governing political party
    4. The treaty that sets out a country's relations with its neighbours
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The set of principles by which a country is governed, including its institutions and the laws and conventions that keep their power in check

    A constitution covers the institutions that run the country and the ways in which their power is limited. In the UK it is made up of laws and conventions rather than one founding text.

    Handbook section 5.3

  8. 8. Whom does the monarch invite to become Prime Minister after an election?

    1. The leader of the party with the largest number of MPs, or the leader of a coalition of parties
    2. The MP who received the most votes in his or her own constituency
    3. The Speaker of the House of Commons
    4. The leader of the largest party in the House of Lords
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The leader of the party with the largest number of MPs, or the leader of a coalition of parties

    The monarch's choice is not a free one: the invitation goes to whoever can command the Commons, which normally means the leader of the party with the most MPs, or the leader of a coalition formed by more than one party.

    Handbook section 5.3

  9. 9. What is the national anthem of the UK?

    1. 'God Save the King' (or 'God Save the Queen')
    2. 'Land of Hope and Glory'
    3. 'Rule, Britannia!'
    4. 'Jerusalem'
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 'God Save the King' (or 'God Save the Queen')

    The anthem is 'God Save the King', or 'God Save the Queen' when the monarch is a woman. It is played at important national occasions and at events attended by the monarch or the Royal Family.

    Handbook section 5.3

  10. 10. How are life peers appointed?

    1. By the monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister
    2. By a vote of all MPs in the House of Commons
    3. By the Speaker of the House of Commons
    4. By the existing hereditary peers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. By the monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister

    Since 1958 the Prime Minister has been able to nominate peers for their lifetime, and the monarch formally appoints them. Leaders of the other main parties, and an independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers, can also put names forward.

    Handbook section 5.3

  11. 11. In which year was the voting age in the UK reduced to 18 for both men and women?

    1. 1969
    2. 1918
    3. 1928
    4. 1958
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 1969

    The franchise widened in stages: most Chartist demands were met by 1918, equal voting at 21 came in 1928, and the age finally dropped to 18 in 1969 — the voting age still used today.

    Handbook section 5.2

  12. 12. Since which year have hereditary peers no longer had an automatic right to sit in the House of Lords?

    1. 1999
    2. 1958
    3. 1969
    4. 1928
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 1999

    Two reforms reshaped the Lords: from 1958 the Prime Minister could nominate life peers, and from 1999 hereditary peers lost their automatic seats. Hereditary peers now elect a small number of their own to represent them.

    Handbook section 5.3

  13. 13. What is the name of the Prime Minister's country house outside London?

    1. Chequers
    2. Balmoral
    3. Sandringham
    4. Highgrove
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Chequers

    As well as 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister has the use of a country house outside London called Chequers. Balmoral and Sandringham are royal residences, not the PM's.

    Handbook section 5.6

  14. 14. What is the second-largest party in the House of Commons known as?

    1. The opposition
    2. The shadow cabinet
    3. The coalition
    4. The independents
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The opposition

    The second-largest party in the Commons is the opposition. Its leader usually becomes Prime Minister if the party wins the next General Election.

    Handbook section 5.6

  15. 15. How are civil servants selected?

    1. On merit, by applying for the job like any other post in the UK
    2. They are appointed personally by the Prime Minister
    3. They are elected by MPs at the start of each Parliament
    4. They are nominated by the political party that is in power
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On merit, by applying for the job like any other post in the UK

    Civil servants are chosen on merit through an ordinary application process and are politically neutral rather than political appointees. They support ministers in developing and delivering policy, and are accountable to them.

    Handbook section 5.6

  16. 16. Select two areas of policy that remain under the control of the central UK government.

    Select two answers

    1. Defence
    2. Immigration
    3. Education
    4. Health
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Defence and B. Immigration

    Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security stay with the UK government. Many other public services, including education and health, are run by the devolved administrations.

    Handbook section 5.6

  17. 17. Which of these statements is correct?

    1. By law, radio and television coverage of the political parties must be balanced, giving equal time to rival viewpoints
    2. By law, newspapers must give equal coverage to every political party
    Show answer

    Answer: A. By law, radio and television coverage of the political parties must be balanced, giving equal time to rival viewpoints

    Broadcasters are legally required to be balanced, but the UK has a free press: newspapers are not controlled by the government, and owners and editors may run campaigns to influence policy and public opinion.

    Handbook section 5.6

  18. 18. Which of these statements about cabinet ministers is correct?

    1. The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration
    2. The Home Secretary is responsible for managing the UK's relationships with foreign countries
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Home Secretary is responsible for crime, policing and immigration

    Crime, policing and immigration fall to the Home Secretary. Managing relationships with other countries is the job of the Foreign Secretary. Both sit in the cabinet, the committee of about 20 senior ministers that meets weekly to take key policy decisions.

    Handbook section 5.6

  19. 19. Which elected body has 129 members?

    1. The Scottish Parliament
    2. The Northern Ireland Assembly
    3. The National Assembly for Wales
    4. The House of Lords
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Scottish Parliament

    The Scottish Parliament, formed in 1999 and sitting in Edinburgh, has 129 MSPs elected by a form of proportional representation. Wales has 60 AMs and Northern Ireland has 90 MLAs.

    Handbook section 5.6

  20. 20. Which two of these are principles of the European Convention on Human Rights? Select two.

    Select two answers

    1. Prohibition of torture
    2. Right to a fair trial
    3. Right to free healthcare
    4. Right to vote in a general election
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Prohibition of torture and B. Right to a fair trial

    The Convention's principles include the right to life, prohibition of torture, prohibition of slavery and forced labour, the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair trial, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of expression.

    Handbook section 5.4

Practise all 194 chapter 5 questions

Free in your browser. No sign-up, no email, no ads.