Chapter 7 of 32 · Updated for 2026

The 21st Century: practice questions

Ten Life in the UK test questions on The 21st Century, 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 Scotland hold a referendum on becoming independent from the UK?

   • A2011
   • B2014
   • C2016
   • D2019
   Show the answer

   B: 2014

   The Scottish independence referendum was held on 18 September 2014.

2. One answer

   2. What is the Electoral Commission?

   • AA government department that sets constituency boundaries
   • BA committee of MPs that runs general elections
   • CA team of officials that counts votes on election night
   • DAn independent body that oversees elections and regulates party funding
   Show the answer

   D: An independent body that oversees elections and regulates party funding

   Set up in 2000, the Electoral Commission is independent of government and regulates elections, referendums and political finance in the UK.

3. True or false

   3. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   Winston Churchill was voted the greatest Briton of all time in a public vote in 2002.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   In 2002 the British public voted Churchill the greatest Briton of all time.

4. One answer

   4. When the World Trade Organization was set up in 1995, which earlier agreement did it replace?

   • AThe European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
   • BThe General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
   • CThe European Recovery Programme (Marshall Plan)
   • DThe Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC)
   Show the answer

   B: The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

   The WTO, based in Geneva, sets the rules for trade between nations. It replaced GATT, which had governed world trade since 1948.

5. Choose TWO answers

   5. Which TWO things does the handbook say you need for settlement from October 2013?

   • AA pass in the UK driving theory test
   • BA pass in the Life in the UK test
   • CEvidence of five years in UK employment
   • DEvidence of English speaking and listening at B1
   Show the answer

   B: A pass in the Life in the UK test
   D: Evidence of English speaking and listening at B1

   From October 2013 you need to pass the Life in the UK test AND show English speaking and listening skills at B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

6. One answer

   6. Who took over as Prime Minister from Tony Blair in 2007?

   • ADavid Cameron
   • BGordon Brown
   • CJohn Major
   • DNick Clegg
   Show the answer

   B: Gordon Brown

   Tony Blair led the Labour government from 1997. Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister in 2007.

7. Which statement is correct

   7. Which of these statements is correct?

   • AIn 1965 the public voted Winston Churchill the greatest Briton of all time.
   • BIn 2002 the public voted Winston Churchill the greatest Briton of all time.
   Show the answer

   B: In 2002 the public voted Winston Churchill the greatest Briton of all time.

   The public vote naming Churchill the greatest Briton of all time took place in 2002.

8. One answer

   8. Since 2011, what has the National Assembly for Wales been able to do?

   • APass laws in its devolved areas without the agreement of the UK Parliament
   • BSet its own defence policy and keep a separate armed force for Wales
   • CControl immigration into Wales and issue its own visas and passports
   • DAppoint the UK Prime Minister and other senior members of the Cabinet
   Show the answer

   A: Pass laws in its devolved areas without the agreement of the UK Parliament

   Since 2011 the Assembly has been able to pass laws for Wales in its devolved areas, such as education and health, without the agreement of the UK Parliament.

9. True or false

   9. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   Dr Sir Ludwig Guttmann, whose work led to the Paralympics, was a German refugee.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   Guttmann was a German refugee who worked at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire.

10. One answer

    10. How many Paralympic medals in total did Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson win?

    • A11
    • B16
    • C6
    • D30
    Show the answer

    B: 16

    Tanni Grey-Thompson won 16 Paralympic medals, 11 of them gold, over five Paralympic Games.

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