Chapter 32 of 32 · Updated for 2026

History in Depth: 1689 to 2010: practice questions

Ten Life in the UK test questions on History in Depth: 1689 to 2010, 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. In which year did Britain recognise the independence of its former American colonies?

   • A1776
   • B1783
   • C1789
   • D1801
   Show the answer

   B: 1783

   The colonies declared independence in 1776, but fighting went on until the colonists defeated the British army. Britain recognised their independence in 1783.

2. One answer

   2. How did George I's poor English affect the way Britain was governed?

   • AHe ruled without Parliament
   • BHe relied more on his ministers
   • CHe handed power to the Scottish Parliament
   • DHe governed through the Church
   Show the answer

   B: He relied more on his ministers

   George I did not speak very good English, which increased his need to rely on his ministers. The most important minister became known as the Prime Minister.

3. True or false

   3. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   In 1714, Scottish Jacobites succeeded in putting James II's son on the throne.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   B: False

   The Jacobite attempt to crown James II's son instead of George I was quickly defeated.

4. One answer

   4. Who was Prime Minister during the Miners' Strike of 1984 to 1985?

   • AHarold Wilson
   • BJames Callaghan
   • CMargaret Thatcher
   • DJohn Major
   Show the answer

   C: Margaret Thatcher

   Margaret Thatcher's government faced down the Miners' Strike of 1984 to 1985, which ended with the miners returning to work without an agreement.

5. Choose TWO answers

   5. Which TWO changes happened in the Highlands after Culloden?

   • AClan chiefs gained seats in Parliament
   • BThe clans were given their own courts
   • CFavoured chieftains became landlords
   • DClansmen became tenants paying for land
   Show the answer

   C: Favoured chieftains became landlords
   D: Clansmen became tenants paying for land

   The clans lost power: chieftains in the king's favour became landlords and clansmen became tenants.

6. One answer

   6. Who set up the first formal anti-slavery groups in the late 1700s?

   • AThe Huguenots
   • BThe Puritans
   • CThe Chartists
   • DThe Quakers
   Show the answer

   D: The Quakers

   The Quakers set up the first formal anti-slavery groups in the late 1700s and petitioned Parliament to ban the practice.

7. Which statement is correct

   7. Which of these statements is correct?

   • AThe Enlightenment took place mainly during the 18th century.
   • BThe Enlightenment took place mainly during the 16th century.
   Show the answer

   A: The Enlightenment took place mainly during the 18th century.

   The Enlightenment was an 18th century movement. The 16th century was the time of the Reformation.

8. One answer

   8. Which Enlightenment thinker's ideas about human nature continue to influence philosophers?

   • AAdam Smith
   • BJames Watt
   • CIsaac Newton
   • DDavid Hume
   Show the answer

   D: David Hume

   David Hume's ideas about human nature are still influential in philosophy.

9. True or false

   9. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   Winston Churchill refused to surrender to the Nazis.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   Churchill refused to surrender and was an inspirational leader to the British people during the war.

10. One answer

    10. After invading Poland, which countries did Hitler take control of next, according to the handbook?

    • ASpain and Portugal
    • BSweden and Norway
    • CIreland and Iceland
    • DBelgium and the Netherlands
    Show the answer

    D: Belgium and the Netherlands

    Having occupied Austria and invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland, Hitler took control of Belgium and the Netherlands, then advanced through France in 1940.

Previous: History in Depth: Early Britain to 1714

All 32 chapters