Chapter 10 of 32 · Updated for 2026

Devolved Governments & Voting: practice questions

Ten Life in the UK test questions on Devolved Governments & Voting, each checked against the official handbook and set in the four formats the real test uses. Pick your answer, then tap Show the answer to see why.

1. One answer

   1. Why is the House of Commons regarded as the more important of the two Houses of Parliament?

   • AIts members are democratically elected
   • BIt is the older of the two Houses
   • CIts members are appointed for life
   • DThe monarch sits in it
   Show the answer

   A: Its members are democratically elected

   The House of Commons is seen as the more important chamber because its MPs are elected by the people. The Prime Minister and almost all cabinet members sit there.

2. One answer

   2. What is a political party's manifesto at a general election?

   • AA list of the candidates it is standing in each seat
   • BThe official record of the votes it received
   • CA legal contract requiring its MPs to vote together
   • DA published statement of the policies it promises to deliver
   Show the answer

   D: A published statement of the policies it promises to deliver

   Before a general election each party publishes a manifesto setting out what it will do if elected. Voters can use it to compare the parties' plans.

3. True or false

   3. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   Special arrangements can be made to take the Life in the UK test in Welsh.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   The test is usually taken in English, but special arrangements can be made to take it in Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.

4. One answer

   4. What does it mean that the UK is a constitutional monarchy?

   • AThe monarch writes the laws and Parliament simply approves them before they come into force
   • BThe monarch is elected by the people every five years at the same time as a General Election
   • CThe Prime Minister is also the head of state and the monarch has no official duties at all
   • DThe monarch does not rule the country but appoints the government chosen by the people in elections
   Show the answer

   D: The monarch does not rule the country but appoints the government chosen by the people in elections

   In a constitutional monarchy the king or queen does not rule. Government policy is decided by the Prime Minister and cabinet, who come from the party the people elected.

5. Choose TWO answers

   5. Which TWO of these freedoms does the UK offer its residents?

   • AFreedom of speech
   • BFreedom from paying taxes
   • CFreedom from unfair discrimination
   • DFreedom to ignore unfair laws
   Show the answer

   A: Freedom of speech
   C: Freedom from unfair discrimination

   The UK offers freedom of belief and religion, freedom of speech, freedom from unfair discrimination, a right to a fair trial and a right to join in electing a government.

6. One answer

   6. If it is difficult for you to get to a polling station, how can you vote?

   • ARegister for a postal ballot
   • BVote by telephone
   • CEmail your vote to the council
   • DVote online on the Parliament website
   Show the answer

   A: Register for a postal ballot

   You can register for a postal vote. Your ballot paper is sent to your home and you post it back before the election.

7. Which statement is correct

   7. Which of these statements is correct?

   • AAfter the Glorious Revolution, Britain was a democracy in the modern sense.
   • BAfter the Glorious Revolution, Britain was not a democracy in the modern sense.
   Show the answer

   B: After the Glorious Revolution, Britain was not a democracy in the modern sense.

   Only a small number of property-owning men could vote, so it was not a democracy as we understand it today.

8. One answer

   8. Which of these is NOT one of the major political parties named in the handbook?

   • AThe Green Party
   • BThe Conservative Party
   • CThe Labour Party
   • DThe Liberal Democrats
   Show the answer

   A: The Green Party

   The handbook names the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats, plus parties representing Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish interests. The Green Party is not on that list.

9. True or false

   9. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   According to the handbook, the National Assembly for Wales has 60 Assembly members.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   The handbook gives 60 Assembly members (AMs). In real life the body is now called the Senedd and has had 96 members since the May 2026 election, but the test follows the handbook.

10. One answer

    10. Soon after which agreement was the Northern Ireland Assembly established?

    • AThe Good Friday Agreement
    • BThe Anglo-Irish Treaty
    • CThe Treaty of Rome
    • DThe Act of Union
    Show the answer

    A: The Good Friday Agreement

    The Northern Ireland Assembly was set up soon after the Belfast Agreement, also called the Good Friday Agreement, of 1998.

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