Chapter 28 of 32 · Updated for 2026

Elections, Voting & the UK in the World: practice questions

Ten Life in the UK test questions on Elections, Voting & the UK in the World, 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. What are members of the House of Lords known as?

   • AMPs
   • BPeers
   • CCouncillors
   • DMSPs
   Show the answer

   B: Peers

   Members of the House of Lords are called peers. Unlike MPs, they are not elected by the people and do not represent a constituency.

2. One answer

   2. How can the Prime Minister be changed without a General Election?

   • AOnly if the monarch decides to dismiss them and appoint a new leader instead
   • BThrough a national referendum in which every registered voter can take part
   • CBy a majority vote of the House of Lords to remove the Prime Minister from office
   • DIf MPs in the governing party decide to change the leader, or the Prime Minister resigns
   Show the answer

   D: If MPs in the governing party decide to change the leader, or the Prime Minister resigns

   The Prime Minister can be changed if MPs in the governing party decide to do so, or if he or she resigns. A Prime Minister usually resigns if their party loses a General Election.

3. True or false

   3. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   The rule that a new Parliament must be elected at least every three years was later changed to seven years.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   The three-year limit from the Bill of Rights later became seven years and is now five years.

4. One answer

   4. Where must you take the Life in the UK test for your result to be accepted?

   • AAt any public library that offers computer facilities
   • BAt a registered and approved Life in the UK test centre
   • CAt your local council offices in front of an official
   • DAt a British embassy or consulate in your home country
   Show the answer

   B: At a registered and approved Life in the UK test centre

   Only certificates from registered and approved test centres are accepted, so you should not take the test anywhere else.

5. Choose TWO answers

   5. Which TWO statements about constituencies after the Glorious Revolution are correct?

   • AA rotten borough was controlled by one wealthy family
   • BA pocket borough was controlled by one wealthy family
   • CA pocket borough had more voters than any other seat
   • DA rotten borough had hardly any voters
   Show the answer

   B: A pocket borough was controlled by one wealthy family
   D: A rotten borough had hardly any voters

   Pocket boroughs were controlled by a single wealthy family. Rotten boroughs had hardly any voters.

6. One answer

   6. According to the handbook, which voting system is used for elections to the European Parliament?

   • AFirst past the post
   • BAppointment by national governments
   • CElection by MPs
   • DProportional representation
   Show the answer

   D: Proportional representation

   The handbook says MEPs are elected every five years by proportional representation. The UK left the EU in 2020 and no longer elects MEPs.

7. Which statement is correct

   7. Which of these statements is correct?

   • AThe Reform Act of 1867 reduced the amount of property people needed to have before they could vote.
   • BThe Reform Act of 1867 gave the vote to all women over the age of 21.
   Show the answer

   A: The Reform Act of 1867 reduced the amount of property people needed to have before they could vote.

   The 1867 Reform Act lowered the property qualification and created more urban seats. No women could vote at that time.

8. One answer

   8. According to the handbook, how often were elections to the European Parliament held?

   • AEvery four years
   • BEvery six years
   • CEvery seven years
   • DEvery five years
   Show the answer

   D: Every five years

   European Parliament elections were held every five years. The UK left the EU in January 2020 and no longer elects MEPs.

9. True or false

   9. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   According to the handbook, adult citizens of other EU states living in the UK can vote in General Elections.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   B: False

   The handbook says EU citizens resident in the UK can vote in all elections except General Elections. Their rights in some local elections have changed since Brexit, but the test follows the handbook.

10. One answer

    10. Before an election, what are you sent that tells you where your polling station is and when the election will be held?

    • AA ballot paper
    • BA poll card
    • CAn election leaflet
    • DA council tax bill
    Show the answer

    B: A poll card

    Before an election you receive a poll card, which tells you where your polling station or polling place is and the date of the election.

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