Government & Law questions
Use these examples to check whether the topic has stuck. Review why each answer is right or wrong, then start the drill when you are ready to answer without hints.
Criminal offences
Racial crimes and smoking in prohibited public places are criminal offences in the UK.
Correct answer
Civil offences
Civil law covers disputes between individuals; racial crime is a criminal matter.
Explanation
Racial crime and smoking in public places are examples of criminal offences.
Discrimination in the workplace
Workplace discrimination is covered by employment law — a civil matter.
Selling faulty goods or services
Consumer disputes are dealt with under civil law.
Owing money to someone
Debt is resolved through civil law, not criminal prosecution.
Selling tobacco to someone under the age of 18
Selling tobacco to under-18s is a criminal offence.
Correct answer
Explanation
Selling tobacco to anyone under 18 is a criminal offence. Workplace discrimination, consumer disputes and debt are civil matters handled outside the criminal courts.
False
True
Correct answer
Explanation
Anyone can complain about the police by going to a police station and writing to the Chief Constable of the force involved.
Tell you the reason for your arrest and that you will be able to seek legal advice
Police must tell you the reason for your arrest and inform you of your right to legal advice.
Correct answer
Explain the law to you and wait for your family to arrive
There is no requirement to explain the law fully or wait for family — the key duties are reason and legal advice.
Offer you a cup of tea
This is not a legal requirement — the officer must state the reason for arrest and the right to legal advice.
Make a copy of your ID and retain you until your lawyer arrives
ID copying is not listed as a required step; the officer must give the reason for arrest and advise of legal rights.
Explanation
If you are arrested and taken to a police station, a police officer will tell you the reason for your arrest and you will be able to seek legal advice.
Your local police force
You should notify the local police if someone tries to recruit you to an extremist or terrorist cause.
Correct answer
Your family
Family support is valuable, but the official guidance is to notify the police.
Your local MP
MPs are not the first point of contact; notify the police directly.
The Home Office
The Home Office is a government department; direct reports should go to the local police.
Explanation
If you think someone is trying to persuade you to join an extremist or terrorist cause, you should notify your local police force.
False
Correct answer
True
Explanation
It is a criminal offence to carry a weapon of any kind in the UK — even if it is intended for self-defence. This includes guns, knives or anything adapted to cause injury.
Disputes about an unfair dismissal in the workplace
Unfair dismissal disputes are civil employment law matters.
A dispute between the landlord and the tenants who have not paid the rent
Rent and landlord–tenant disputes fall under civil housing law.
Disputes about faulty goods or services
Consumer disputes are civil matters dealt with by small claims courts.
Smoking in public places where it is not allowed
Smoking indoors in public is a criminal offence; signs must be displayed.
Correct answer
Explanation
Smoking in public places. It is against the law to smoke tobacco products in nearly every enclosed public place in the UK. There are signs displayed to tell you where you cannot smoke.
Housing law
Housing law covers landlord-tenant disputes including repairs and eviction — a civil law area.
Correct answer
Living law
'Living law' is not a recognised category of UK civil law.
Debt law
Debt law covers money owed between parties — separate from landlord-tenant disputes.
Consumer law
Consumer law deals with faulty goods or services, not landlord-tenant issues.
Explanation
Housing law includes disputes between landlords and tenants over issues such as repairs and eviction.
To buy alcohol for people who are under the age of 18
Buying alcohol for under-18s is a criminal offence under criminal law, not civil law.
To carry a weapon of any kind, even if it is for self-defence
Carrying a weapon is a criminal offence; civil law covers disputes between individuals.
Discrimination in the workplace
Workplace discrimination is a civil law matter, handled by employment tribunals rather than criminal courts.
Correct answer
To sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18
Selling tobacco to under-18s is a criminal offence; civil law covers disputes between individuals.
Explanation
Discrimination in the workplace is an example of civil law.
Protect the environment
Environmental protection is not a listed duty of the police — it falls to other agencies.
Correct answer
Prevent and detect crimes
Preventing and detecting crime is one of the three core duties of the UK police.
Prevent disturbances
Keeping the peace — preventing public disorder — is a core police duty.
Protect life and property
Protecting life and property is the first duty listed for UK police forces.
Explanation
The job of the police in the UK is to protect life and property, prevent disturbances (also known as keeping the peace) and prevent and detect crime.
18
The legal age for buying or being bought alcohol is 18 in the UK.
Correct answer
20
Twenty is above the legal minimum — alcohol sales are restricted from age 18.
21
Twenty-one is the minimum in some countries but not the UK — here it is 18.
16
Sixteen is below the UK minimum — though 16- and 17-year-olds may drink with a meal in a hotel or restaurant.
Explanation
It is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18, or to buy alcohol for someone under 18. People aged 16 or over may drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant.
Selling or buying drugs
Buying or selling controlled drugs such as heroin or cocaine is a criminal offence in the UK.
Unfair dismissal or discrimination in the workplace
Workplace disputes including unfair dismissal and discrimination are civil law matters, not criminal offences.
Correct answer
Carrying a weapon
Carrying a weapon of any kind — even for self-defence — is a criminal offence in the UK.
Smoking in public places
Smoking in nearly every enclosed public place is a criminal offence under UK law.
Explanation
Cases of unfair dismissal or discrimination in the workplace are considered civil offences.
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