Government and the Law: United Kingdom citizenship test questions
Practice questions for the United Kingdom citizenship test.
Last checked against the official sources:
20 free sample questions
Answer each one in your head, then open the answer to see why it is right.
1.How old must you be to vote in a general election?
- 16 or over
- 21 or over
- 25 or over
- 18 or over
Show the answer
Answer: 18 or over
A voter must be 18 or over on polling day. They must also be registered to vote.
From the official guide: “be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’)” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
2.How often do general elections usually take place?
- Every 3 years
- Every 7 years
- Every 4 years
- Every 5 years
Show the answer
Answer: Every 5 years
General elections are elections to the UK Parliament. They usually take place every 5 years.
From the official guide: “General elections (elections to the UK Parliament) usually take place every 5 years.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
3.Which voting system is used to elect MPs?
- Single Transferable Vote
- The additional member system
- First past the post
- A second-round run-off
Show the answer
Answer: First past the post
MPs are elected using first past the post. You vote once for a candidate in your constituency.
From the official guide: “MPs are elected using the ‘first past the post’ system.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
4.Which two Houses make up Parliament?
- The Cabinet and the Civil Service
- The House of Commons and the Senate
- The House of Lords and the Cabinet
- The House of Commons and the House of Lords
Show the answer
Answer: The House of Commons and the House of Lords
Parliament is made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The two Houses work together to make laws.
From the official guide: “Made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
5.What must you do before you can take part in elections and referendums?
- Join a political party
- Pass a test
- Register to vote
- Pay a fee
Show the answer
Answer: Register to vote
You need to be registered to vote. You need to register again if you change your name, address or nationality.
From the official guide: “be registered to vote” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
6.What is a referendum?
- An election for a local mayor
- A vote to choose the Prime Minister
- A debate in the House of Lords
- A vote on a single issue
Show the answer
Answer: A vote on a single issue
A referendum is a vote on a single issue. Voters usually make one choice between two options.
From the official guide: “A referendum is a vote on a single issue.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
7.Who leads the government in the UK?
- The Speaker of the House of Commons
- The Prime Minister
- The Mayor of London
- The Lord Chancellor
Show the answer
Answer: The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister leads the government with the support of the Cabinet and ministers. The Prime Minister is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions.
From the official guide: “The Prime Minister is the leader of His Majesty’s Government and is ultimately responsible for all policy and decisions.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
8.Who chooses government ministers?
- The Prime Minister
- The Civil Service
- The Speaker of the House of Commons
- The House of Lords
Show the answer
Answer: The Prime Minister
Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister. They are responsible for the actions, successes and failures of their departments.
From the official guide: “Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
9.What is a Bill?
- A law that has already been passed
- A report by a government department
- A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one
- A decision of a court
Show the answer
Answer: A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one
Bills are proposals for new laws or changes to existing ones. The House of Commons and the House of Lords work together to make laws.
From the official guide: “Bills are proposals for new laws or changes to existing ones.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
10.How long does jury service usually last?
- Up to 6 months
- One day
- Up to 10 working days
- Exactly 4 weeks
Show the answer
Answer: Up to 10 working days
Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days. Jury staff tell jurors if a trial is likely to last longer.
From the official guide: “Jury service usually lasts up to 10 working days.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
11.How many people are on a jury that decides the outcome of a criminal trial in England and Wales?
- 6
- 15
- 12
- 10
Show the answer
Answer: 12
A juror is part of a jury of 12 people. There are different rules for jury service in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
From the official guide: “You’ll be part of a jury of 12 people to decide the outcome of a criminal trial.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
12.What is the Cabinet?
- The senior members of government
- The judges of the Supreme Court
- The heads of the Civil Service
- All Members of Parliament
Show the answer
Answer: The senior members of government
The Cabinet is made up of the senior members of government. Its members are Secretaries of State from all departments and some other ministers.
From the official guide: “The Cabinet is made up of the senior members of government.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
13.How are people chosen for jury service?
- By their employer
- By applying for it
- Randomly from the electoral register
- By the police
Show the answer
Answer: Randomly from the electoral register
Names are chosen randomly from the electoral register. That is why a juror has to be registered to vote.
From the official guide: “Your name was chosen randomly from the electoral register.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
14.What does the Civil Service do?
- The practical and administrative work of government
- It decides court cases
- It elects the Prime Minister
- It passes new laws
Show the answer
Answer: The practical and administrative work of government
The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government. Around half of all civil servants provide services direct to the public.
From the official guide: “The Civil Service does the practical and administrative work of government.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
15.A jury summons arrives in the post. Within how many days must you respond?
- 3 days
- 14 days
- 7 days
- 28 days
Show the answer
Answer: 7 days
You must respond within 7 days and confirm whether you can attend. That applies even to people who are disqualified from serving.
From the official guide: “you must respond within 7 days and confirm if you can attend” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
16.Besides British citizens, citizens of which countries can vote in a general election?
- Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens
- All European Union citizens
- Citizens of any country who live in the UK
- Citizens of the United States
Show the answer
Answer: Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens
To vote in a general election you must be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. You must also be registered and aged 18 or over.
From the official guide: “be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
17.What do white papers do?
- List the results of an election
- Record what was said in Parliament
- Set out a court’s decision
- Outline proposals for new laws
Show the answer
Answer: Outline proposals for new laws
White papers are a kind of draft legislation. They outline proposals for new laws.
From the official guide: “White papers outline proposals for new laws.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
18.Which of these is an area the devolved governments are responsible for, according to GOV.UK?
- Defence
- The armed forces
- Health
- The Civil Service
Show the answer
Answer: Health
GOV.UK lists health, education, culture, the environment and transport. It gives the Ministry of Defence as an example of a department that covers the whole UK.
From the official guide: “Some departments, like the Ministry of Defence, cover the whole UK.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
19.Only British citizens can make a Freedom of Information request.
- True
- False
Show the answer
Answer: False
Anyone can make a request for information. There are no restrictions on age, nationality or where you live.
From the official guide: “There are no restrictions on your age, nationality or where you live.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
20.You are paid a salary for doing jury service.
- True
- False
Show the answer
Answer: False
Jurors are not paid for jury service. They can claim some money back if they lose earnings, and some expenses such as travel.
From the official guide: “You will not be paid for doing jury service, but you can claim some money back if you lose earnings.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
25 more Government and the Law questions, with explanations and spaced review, are waiting in Swornly.
Study for the United Kingdom testThe test
Life in the UK Test
24 questions, 18 to pass, 45 minutes
Common questions
- How can I practice Government and the Law questions for the United Kingdom citizenship test?
- Swornly has 45 checked practice questions on Government and the Law. The sample on this page is free, with the answers explained; the rest are in the app.
- How many questions are on the United Kingdom citizenship test?
- The Life in the UK Test has 24 questions.
- What score do you need to pass the United Kingdom citizenship test?
- To pass the Life in the UK Test you need 18 correct answers out of 24 (75%).
- How long does the United Kingdom citizenship test take?
- You have 45 minutes for the Life in the UK Test.
- What language is the United Kingdom citizenship test in?
- The test is taken in English.
- Where do these practice questions come from?
- Each question is written from the official study material, checked against it by a reviewer, and linked to its source. They are for practice: the questions you are asked on the day may be worded differently.
- Is Swornly an official government website?
- No. Swornly is an independent study app and is not affiliated with any government. To book the test or check the rules that apply to you, use the official website. Official source
To book the test or check the rules that apply to you, use the official website linked above. Swornly is an independent study app and is not affiliated with any government.