28 short questions and answers on everyday life & law, based on the official handbook. Read them, then test yourself with the free mock tests.
Not in one document. It comes from laws, conventions and court decisions, along with historic documents like the Magna Carta.
Opens each new session of Parliament with the King's Speech, setting out the government's plans. Appoints the Prime Minister and meets them every week. Can advise, warn and encourage, but the government makes the decisions.
10 Downing Street in London. The PM's country house is Chequers in Buckinghamshire.
Chancellor of the Exchequer: the economy. Home Secretary: crime, policing and immigration. Foreign Secretary: relations with other countries.
The second-largest party in the House of Commons. Its leader is the Leader of the Opposition, who leads a Shadow Cabinet. Prime Minister's Questions is held every week Parliament sits.
They make sure MPs of their party attend and vote. The Chief Whip often attends Cabinet.
The official word-for-word record of debates in Parliament.
They carry out government policy. They are politically neutral and stay in their jobs when the government changes.
Elected councils run local services such as schools, housing, rubbish collection and libraries. Local elections are usually in May. Some cities have elected mayors.
Elected officials who set local police priorities and budgets. The first elections were in November 2012.
You must be on the electoral register. Before an election you get a poll card. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. You can also vote by post or by proxy. Voting is secret.
By letter, phone or email, or at their local 'surgeries'. You can also watch debates from the public galleries in Parliament for free.
The highest court of appeal in the UK. Judges are independent of the government.
A court for young people aged 10 to 17 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The public cannot attend and names are not published. Scotland uses a Children's Hearings system.
Unpaid volunteers, also called Justices of the Peace (JPs), who hear less serious cases in Magistrates' Courts.
The handbook says anyone on the electoral register aged 18 to 70, so use that in the test. (The upper age is now 75 in England and Wales.)
Solicitors give legal advice, and legal aid can help pay for it. Citizens Advice gives free advice. Small claims are an informal way to settle money disputes without a lawyer.
The Human Rights Act 1998 made the European Convention on Human Rights part of UK law.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to treat people unfairly because of age, disability, sex, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sexuality or marital status.
Domestic violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) are all crimes. Courts can issue Forced Marriage Protection Orders.
Income tax pays for government services. National Insurance contributions pay for the state pension and the NHS. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) collects tax. Employees usually pay through PAYE; self-employed people use self-assessment.
A unique number that records your contributions. You need one to work in the UK.
You need a licence (from age 17) and insurance. Cars over three years old need a yearly MOT test. Vehicle tax must be paid.
Register with a GP (family doctor). Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; most adults in England pay a charge. A&E is for serious emergencies.
999 or 112 in an emergency (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard). 101 for the police when it isn't an emergency. NHS 111 for urgent medical advice.
Volunteering, becoming a school governor, joining Neighbourhood Watch, giving blood, joining the organ donor register, and recycling. The National Citizen Service is for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Pressure groups try to influence government policy, for example on the environment. Trade unions represent workers and negotiate pay and conditions.
The press is free from government control and newspapers may support parties. TV and radio must give balanced coverage of all parties during elections.