What the Life in the UK test can ask about this topic, explained in plain English.
We have 7 checked facts on this topic.
Here are the 5 that come up most.
The facts to know
What does the NSPCC do?
Works with children.
The handbook uses the NSPCC as its example of a charity working with children. Its full name, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, tells you exactly what it does. Do not mix it up with the PDSA, which cares for sick animals, even though both are well-known initialisms.
Why it matters: Charity-matching questions are common: NSPCC means children.
Memory hook: The last C in NSPCC is for Children.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
Which group of people does the charity Age UK work with?
Older people.
Thousands of charities operate in the UK, each with its own focus. The handbook pairs a few well-known names with the people they help, and Age UK is the example for older people. The name gives it away. Helping older people also appears in the volunteering list, for instance at a residential care home.
Why it matters: One of a small set of charity-to-cause pairings the test often check.
Memory hook: Age UK: the clue is in the age.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
Which of these charities works with homeless people?
Crisis and Shelter.
Homelessness is one of the causes highlighted in the handbook's list of charities. Two organisations are named: Crisis and Shelter. Both names hint at their purpose, since a person without a home is in crisis and needs shelter. Volunteering at a homelessness shelter is also listed as a way to help.
Why it matters: Names of the homelessness charities are tested in matching questions.
Memory hook: No home means a crisis and a need for shelter: Crisis and Shelter.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
What does the PDSA do?
It cares for sick animals.
The handbook's example of an animal charity is the PDSA, short for the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. A dispensary is a place where medicine is given out, so the name describes a kind of animal clinic. Working with animals, for example at a rescue shelter, is also listed among volunteer activities.
Why it matters: PDSA and NSPCC are often swapped in tests; PDSA is animals.
Memory hook: PDSA: Pets, Dogs, Sick Animals.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
Which of these is known as an environmental charity?
The National Trust.
Two organisations represent environmental charities in the handbook: the National Trust and Friends of the Earth. The National Trust is better known for its countryside and historic places, but the handbook counts it as environmental. Friends of the Earth campaigns on green issues. Litter pick-ups are the matching volunteer activity.
Why it matters: The National Trust is easily filed under heritage rather than environment, which is the trap.
Memory hook: Trust the Earth: National Trust and Friends of the Earth look after the environment.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
2 more facts on Charities are in the Complete Study Guide.
Try 3 practice questions
Question 1
The British Red Cross is given as an example of what kind of organisation?
The British branch of an international organisation
A small local charity working in one area of the country
A medical research charity funded by the National Health Service
A government agency that runs the emergency services
Show the answer
Answer: The British branch of an international organisation
UK charities come in all sizes. At one end are the British branches of worldwide organisations, and the handbook's example is the British Red Cross. At the other end are small local charities focused on one area. All of them work to improve the lives of people, animals and the environment in different ways.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
Question 2
Which of these statements is correct?
Cancer Research UK is the handbook's example of a medical research charity.
Cancer Research UK is the handbook's example of a Animal welfare charity.
Show the answer
Answer: Cancer Research UK is the handbook's example of a medical research charity.
Not every charity helps people directly. Some fund science. The handbook's example of a medical research charity is Cancer Research UK, which raises money to study and fight cancer. Charities like this need volunteers to help with activities and to raise funds, and they usually advertise opportunities in local newspapers and online.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
Question 3
Which of these statements is correct?
Crisis and Shelter are the two charities the handbook names as working with homeless people.
Age UK and the NSPCC are the two charities the handbook names as working with homeless people.
Show the answer
Answer: Crisis and Shelter are the two charities the handbook names as working with homeless people.
Homelessness is one of the causes highlighted in the handbook's list of charities. Two organisations are named: Crisis and Shelter. Both names hint at their purpose, since a person without a home is in crisis and needs shelter. Volunteering at a homelessness shelter is also listed as a way to help.
Official handbook: Chapter 5, section 5.8, page 94
See where you really are.
The free mock test is the real shape: 24 questions, 45 minutes, 18 to pass. No account, no email,
and every answer is explained. Take the free mock test.
Every topic, in full, is in the
Complete Study Guide. The code printed inside either book opens all 2,451
practice questions, one topic at a time.