UK Practice Test 8

Correct! England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint, called a patron saint. Each saint has a special day: 1 March: St David's Day, Wales;17 March: St Patrick's Day, Northern Ireland; 23 April: St George's Day, England; 30 November: St Andrew's Day, Scotland.

Correct! Vaccinations and medical treatment for animals are available from veterinary surgeons (vets). There are charities which may help people who cannot afford to pay a vet.

Correct! In 1776, 13 American colonies declared their independence, stating that people had a right to establish their own governments. The colonists eventually defeated the British army and Britain recognized the colonies' independence in 1783.

Correct! Britain's navy fought against combined French and Spanish fleets, winning the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Admiral Nelson was in charge of the British fleet at Trafalgar and was killed in the battle.

Correct! Florence Nightingale was born in Italy to English parents in 1820

Correct! Owing money is a civil offence

Correct! The 40 days before Easter are known as Lent. It is a time when Christians take time to reflect and prepare for Easter. Traditionally, people would fast during this period and today many people will give something up, like a favourite food. The day before Lent starts is called Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Correct! One British tradition is the pantomime. Many theatres produce a pantomime at Christmas time. They are based on fairy stories and are light-hearted plays with music and comedy, enjoyed by family audiences. One of the traditional characters is the Dame, a woman played by a man. There is often also a pantomime horse or cow played by two actors in the same costume.

Correct! There is a National Lottery for which draws are made every week. You can enter by buying a ticket or a scratch card. People under 18 (Changed in 2021 from 16 to 18) are not allowed to participate in the National Lottery.

Correct! In 1918, women over the age of 30 were given voting rights and the right to stand for Parliament, partly in recognition of the contribution women made to the war effort during the First World War. Shortly before Emmeline's death in 1928, women were given the right to vote at the age of 21, the same as men.

Correct! Members of the public are not allowed in Youth Courts, and the name or photographs of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers or used by the media.

Correct! Forced Marriage Protection Orders were introduced in 2008 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.

Correct! If your vehicle is over three years old, you must take it for a Ministry of Transport (MOT) test every year. It is an offence not to have an MOT certificate if your vehicle is more than three years old.

Correct! 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 (the red flower found on the battlefields of the First World War). At 11.00 am there is a two minute silence and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

Correct! People over 75 can apply for a free TV licence and blind people can get a 50% discount.

Correct! Brunel was originally from Portsmouth, England. He was an engineer who built tunnels, bridges, railway lines and ships. He was responsible for constructing the Great Western Railway and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Correct! The Monarch has important ceremonial roles, such as the opening of the new parliamentary session each year.

Correct! Mahomet and his wife also introduced 'shampooing', the Indian art of head massage, to Britain.

Correct! In the years leading up to 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a series of poems in English about a group of people going to Canterbury on a pilgrimage. The people decided to tell each other stories on the journey, and the poems describe the travellers and some of the stories they told. This collection of poems is called The Canterbury Tales. It was one of the first books to be printed by William Caxton, the first person in England to print books using a printing press. Many of the stories are still popular. Some have been made into plays and television programmes.

Correct! The laws passed after the Glorious Revolution are the beginning of what is called 'constitutional monarchy'

Correct! The Monarch (King Charles III) has important ceremonial roles, such as the opening of the new parliamentary session each year. On this occasion the King makes a speech which summarises the government’s policies for the year ahead. All Acts of Parliament are made in his name.

Correct! People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes: wages from paid employment; profits from self-employment, taxable benefits; pensions; income from property, savings and dividends

Correct! Since 1999, hereditary peers have lost the automatic right to attend the House of Lords. They now elect a few of their number to represent them in the House of Lords.

Correct! 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.