British Citizenship Test 8 - 2026
Chapter 8 The UK government, the law and your role 2 ( 60 Questions )
Take this free British Citizenship Test 8, Life In The UK Test 2026 multiple-choice questions and answers. This test contains 60 questions to practice. This new web for life in the UK exam structure similar to official citizenship mock tests.
What is the role of a jury at a court trial?
A jury has to listen to the evidence presented at the trial and then decide a verdict of ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ based on what they have heard. In Scotland, a third verdict of ‘not proven’ is also possible. If the jury finds a defendant guilty, the judge decides on the penalty.
Is the statement below TRUE OR FALSE? Members of the public are allowed to attend Youth Court hearings.
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.
Where is the National Assembly for Wales based?
The National Assembly for Wales is based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.
What is a jury made up of?
A jury is made up of members of the public chosen at random from the local electoral register.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Hereditary peers have the automatic right to attend the House of Lords.
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.
Which court would you use to get back money that was owed to you?
County Courts deal with a wide range of civil disputes. These include people trying to get back money that is owed to them.
Which TWO of the following countries are members of the Commonwealth?
Australia and Canada are members of the Commonwealth. The King is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, which currently has 54 member states.
Which of the following statements is correct?
The UK is a member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). NATO is a group of European and North American countries that have agreed to help each other if they come under attack. It also aims to maintain peace between all of its members.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?A husband who forces his wife to have sex can be charged with rape.
Any man who forces a woman to have sex, including a woman’s husband, can be charged with rape.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
The official home of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, in central London, near the Houses of Parliament. He or she also has a country house outside London called Chequers.
How is the Speaker of the House of Commons chosen?
The Speaker is chosen by other Members of Parliament (MPs) in a secret ballot. The Speaker keeps order during political debates to make sure the rules are followed.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
Civil servants are chosen on merit and are politically neutral – they are not political appointees.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? In the 1830s and 1840s a group called the Chartists campaigned for reform to the voting system.
The Chartists campaigned for reform of the voting system. The changes they wanted included elections every year and for all regions to be equal in the electoral system.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The Scottish Parliament sits in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999. It sits in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
How old do you need to be in order to stand for public office?
Most citizens of the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office.
What must police officers do?
Police officers must obey the law. They must not be rude or abusive, make a false statement, misuse their authority, or commit racial discrimination.
Is the statement below TRUE OR FALSE? The British constitution is contained in a single written document.
The British constitution is not written down in any single document, and therefore it is described as ‘unwritten’.
Which TWO actions can a judge take if a public body is not respecting someone’s legal rights?
If judges find that a public body is not respecting someone’s legal rights, they can order that body to change its practices and/or pay compensation.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
Northern Ireland has a system called ‘individual registration’, which means all those entitled to vote must complete their own registration form.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Anybody can be asked to serve on a jury, no matter how old they are.
Anyone who is on the electoral register and is aged 18-70 (18-75 in England and Wales) can be asked to serve on a jury.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The Home Secretary is the government minister responsible for managing relationships with foreign Countries.
The Home Secretary is the government minister responsible for crime, policing and immigration. The Foreign Secretary is the government minister responsible for managing relationships with foreign countries.
By joining a political party, what TWO activities might you be involved in?
Political parties welcome new members. Members work hard to 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. This is called ‘canvassing’.
Which jubilee did Queen Elizabeth Il celebrate in 2012?
Queen Elizabeth Il has reigned since her father’s death in 1952 until her death in 2022. In 2012 she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as Queen).
How are local Councils funded?
Towns, cities and rural areas in the UK are governed by democratically elected councils, often called ‘local authorities’. These are funded by money from central government and by local taxes.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
The Speaker is neutral and does not represent a political party, but he or she remains an MP represents a constituency and deals with constituents’ problems like any other MP.
Which of the following statements is correct?
Proceedings in Parliament are broadcast on television and published in official reports called Hansard. Most people get information about political issues and events from newspapers (often called the press), television, radio and the internet.
Which of the folowing statements is Correct?
The UK has a free press. This means that what is written in newspapers is free from government control.
In 1999, what happened to hereditary peers in the House of Lords?
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.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The main political parties actively look for members of the public to help at elections and contribute to their costs.
The main political parties actively look for members of the public to join their debates, contribute to their costs, and help at elections for Parliament or for local government. They have branches in most constituencies and hold policy-making conferences every year.
What important change to our voting rights took place in 1969?
In 1969, the voting age was reduced to 18 for men and women.
What is the aim of the United Nations?
The UK is part of the United Nations (UN), an international organisation with more than 190 countries as members. The UN was set up after the Second World War and aims to prevent war and promote international peace and security.
Which TWO of the following do yOu have to pay tax on?
People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes profits from self- employment, and income from property, savings and dividends. Money raised from income tax pays for government services such as roads, education, police and the armed forces.
What sort of cases do Crown Courts and Sheriff Courts deal with?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, serious offences are tried in front of a judge and jury in a Crown Court. In Scotland, serious cases are heard in a Sheriff Court with either a sheriff or a sheriff with a jury.
Which TWO of the following issues can the Northern Ireland Assembly make decisions on?
The Northern Ireland Assembly can make decisions on various issues, including agriculture and social services.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Members of the armed forces cannot stand for public office.
Most citizens of the UK, Ireland or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public office. There are some exceptions, including members of the armed forces.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? People are able to buy National Lottery tickets in the UK if they are aged 14 or over.
People under 18 are not allowed to participate in the National Lottery.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The Scottish Parliament can pass laws for Scotland on all matters.
The Scottish Parliament can pass laws for Scotland on all matters that are not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament.
Which TWO of the following types of case are held in County Courts?
County Courts deal with a wide range of civil disputes, including divorce and other family matters, and breaches of contract.
Which TWO are political parties in the UK?
The major political parties in the UK include the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats.
Which TWO of the following are examples of criminal law?
Criminal law relates to crimes, which are usually investigated by the police or another authority such asa council, and which are punished by the courts. Examples of crimes include racial crime and selling tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.
To which TWO international associations or agreements does the UK belong?
The UK belongs to many International bodies including NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the Commonwealth.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
Volunteering is working for good causes without payment. There are many activities you can do as a volunteer, such as working with the homeless and helping improve the environment.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
The public in England and Wales elect Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). The first elections for PCCs were held in November 2012.
Which TWO of the following would you contact for help on a legal matter?
Solicitors are trained lawyers who give advice on legal matters, take action for their clients and represent their clients in court. Citizens Advice can give you names of local solicitors and tell you which areas of law they specialise in.
Who do some local councils appoint as a ceremonial leader?
Many local authorities appoint a mayor, who is the ceremonial leader of the council. (In some towns, a mayor is elected to be the effective leader of the administration.)
How often are Members of Parliament (MPs) elected?
MPs are elected at a General Election, which is held at least every five years.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
If the jury in a Crown Court case finds the defendant guilty, the judge decides on the penalty.
What happens when Members of Parliament (MPs) hold surgeries?
Many MPs hold regular local ‘surgeries’, where constituents can go in person to talk about İssues that are of concern to them.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? A General Election occurs every eight years.
A General Election is held at least every five years.
Which TWO are examples of civil law?
Civil law is used to settle disputes between individuals or groups. Examples of civil law include housing law, employment law, consumer rights and laws related to the recovery of debt.
How old must you be to ride a moped in the UK?
In the UK you need to be at least 16 years old to ride a moped.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Forcing another person to marry is a criminal offence in the UK.
Forced marriage is where one or both parties do not or cannot give their consent to enter into the partnership. This is a criminal offence in the UK.
Which TWO chambers form the UK Parliament?
The UK Parliament is formed by the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Which TWO of the following are part of the UK government?
There are several different parts of government in the UK, including the cabinet and the civil service.
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? You can support your local community by becoming a school governor.
School governors are people from the local community who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
Carrying a weapon is one example of a criminal offence. Crimes are usually investigated by the police and punished by the Courts.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
There are a few Members of Parliament (MPs) who do not represent any of the main political parties. They are called ‘independents’.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
For most local authorities, local elections for councillors are held in May every year.
Which of the following statements is Correct?
Civil servants support the government in developing and implementing its policies. They are chosen on merit and are politically neutral – they are not political appointees.
Which TWO courts deal with minor criminal cases in the UK?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates’ Court. In Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court.
