A long and illustrious history (Part 5)

1. Who is the author of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'?

• Roald Dahl
• J.R.R. Tolkien
• Charles Dickens
• Jane Kipling

Roald Dahl was born in Wales to Norwegian parents. He served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. His best-known works include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and George's Marvellous Medicine.

2. Who was R. A. Butler?

• A Conservative MP
• A Poet
• Minister of Health
• An Economist

Richard Austen Butler (later Lord Butler) was born in 1902. He became a Conservative MP in 1923 and held several positions before becoming responsible for education in 1941.

3. How many people lost their lives in the decades after 1969 due to violence in Northern Ireland?

• 3,000
• 12,000
• 30,000
• 60,000

Some 3,000 people lost their lives in the decades after 1969 in the violence in Northern Ireland.

4. In what year did the Troubles break out?

• 1921
• 1922
• 1957
• 1969

Some 3,000 people lost their lives in the decades after 1969 in the violence in Northern Ireland. The conflict between those wishing for full Irish independence and those wishing to remain loyal to the British government is often referred to as 'the Troubles'.

5. When did the British troops leave Iraq?

• 2000
• 2004
• 2009
• 2013

Since 2000, British armed forces have been engaged in the global fight against international terrorism and against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. British combat troops left Iraq in 2009.

6. When did Queen Victoria become queen?

• 1837
• 1845
• 1861
• 1877

In 1837, Queen Victoria became queen of the UK at the age of 18. She reigned until 1901, almost 64 years.

7. When did the Parliament begin developing into the institution it is now?

• During the Middle Ages
• During the Bronze Age
• During the Iron Age
• During the Industrial Revolution

In the Middle Ages, Parliament began to develop into the institution it is today. Its origins can be traced to the king's council of advisers, which included important noblemen and the leaders of the Church.

8. Which of the following statements is correct?

• Charles I's army was defeated at the Battle of Marston Moor but won the Battle of Naseby
• Parliament won the English Civil War

The king's army was defeated at the Battles of Marston Moor and Naseby. By 1646, it was clear that Parliament had won the war. Charles was held prisoner by the parliamentary army. He was still unwilling to reach any agreement with Parliament and in 1649 he was executed.

9. Who was the first 'Scottish King'?

• Kenneth MacAlpin
• Cnut also 'Canute'
• Harold
• William I

In the north, the threat of attack by Vikings had encouraged the people to unite under one king, Kenneth MacAlpin. The term Scotland began to be used to describe that country.

10. Other than London universities, which university was credited with the discovery of the DNA molecule in 1953?

• Edinburgh
• Cambridge
• Oxford
• Aberdeen

The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered in 1953 through work at British universities in London and Cambridge. This discovery contributed to many scientific advances, particularly in medicine and fighting crime. Francis Crick (1916-2004), one of those awarded the Nobel Prize for this discovery, was British.

11. Where did the Jutes come from?

• Northern Europe
• Southern Europe
• East Europe
• Central Europe

Britain was invaded by tribes from northern Europe: the Jutes, the Angles and the Saxons. The languages they spoke are the basis of modern-day English.

12. Who founded a monastery on the Island of Iona?

• St Augustine
• St Columba
• St Patrick
• St Andrew

Missionaries from Ireland spread the religion in the north. The most famous of these were St Patrick, who would become the patron saint of Ireland, and St Columba, who founded a monastery on the island of Iona, off the coast of what is now Scotland. St Augustine led missionaries from Rome, who spread Christianity in the south. St Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

13. Who built the Hadrian's Wall to keep out the Picts?

• Emperor Hadrian
• Sutton Hoo
• King Alfred the Great
• Henry Hadrian

Areas of what is now Scotland were never conquered by the Romans, and the Emperor Hadrian built a wall in the north of England to keep out the Picts (ancestors of the Scottish people).

14. Queen Mary was a Protestant and persecuted Catholics (for this reason, she became known as 'Bloody Mary')

• True
• False

Mary was a devout Catholic and persecuted Protestants (for this reason, she became known as 'Bloody Mary'). Mary also died after a short reign and the next monarch was her half-sister, Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

15. When did Britain recognise the American colonies' independence?

• 1783
• 1776
• 1763
• 1751

In 1776, 13 American colonies declared their independence, stating that people had a right to establish their own governments. The colonists eventually defeated the British army and Britain recognised the colonies' independence in 1783.

16. Who built the Tower of London?

• William the Conqueror
• Henry VII
• Henry VIII
• Oliver Cromwell

The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror after he became king in 1066.

17. When did Protestant ideas begin to spread?

• 16th century
• 17th century
• 18th century
• 15th century

Protestant ideas gradually gained strength in England, Wales and Scotland during the 16th century.

18. What does St Patrick's cross look like?

• A red cross on a white ground
• A diagonal red cross on a white ground
• A diagonal white cross on a blue ground
• Welsh dragon cross

The Union Flag consists of three crosses: The cross of St George, patron saint of England, is a red cross on a white ground; The cross of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, is a diagonal white cross on a blue ground; The cross of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is a diagonal red cross on a white ground.

19. Who was the Prime Minister during 1945-1951?

• Clement Attlee
• Dylan Thomas
• Winston Churchill
• R A Butler

Clement Attlee was born in London in 1883. He was Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951 and led the Labour Party for 20 years.

20. Who developed a radar?

• Sir Robert Watson-Watt
• Patrick Steptoe
• Mary Peters
• James Goodfellow

Radar was developed by Scotsman Sir Robert Watson-Watt (1892-1973), who proposed that enemy aircraft could be detected by radio waves. The first successful radar test took place in 1935.

21. Who became famous in silent movies for his tramp character?

• Sir Charles Chaplin
• Sir Chris Hoy
• Sir Francis Drake
• Sir Christopher Wren

Sir Charles (Charlie) Chaplin became famous in silent movies for his tramp character and was one of many British actors to make a career in Hollywood.

22. Which TWO things happened when Mary Stuart's husband got murdered?

• She gave her throne to Elizabeth I
• She was suspected of involvement in the murder
• She asked Elizabeth I for help
• She fled to France

The queen of Scotland, Mary Stuart (often now called 'Mary, Queen of Scots') was a Catholic. She was only a week old when her father died and she became queen. Much of her childhood was spent in France. When she returned to Scotland, she was the centre of a power struggle between different groups. When her husband was murdered, Mary was suspected of involvement and fled to England. She gave her throne to her Protestant son, James VI of Scotland. Mary was Elizabeth I's cousin and hoped that Elizabeth might help her, but Elizabeth suspected Mary of wanting to take over the English throne, and kept her a prisoner for 20 years. Mary was eventually executed, accused of plotting against Elizabeth I.

23. What was the first war to be extensively covered by the media?

• The Battle Of Britain
• The Crimean War
• The Battle of Waterloo
• The Battle of Hastings

From 1853 to 1856, Britain fought with Turkey and France against Russia in the Crimean War. It was the first war to be extensively covered by the media through news stories and photographs

24. The King James' Bible is a new translation of the Bible into English

• True
• False

One achievement of King James' reign was a new translation of the Bible into English. This translation is known as the 'King James Version' or the 'Authorised Version'. It was not the first English Bible but is a version which continues to be used in many Protestant churches today.

25. When did the first farmers arrive in Britain?

• 6,000 years ago
• 8,000 years ago
• 4,000 years ago
• 10,000 years ago

The first farmers arrived in Britain about 6,000 years ago. The ancestors of these first farmers probably came from south-east Europe. These people built houses, tombs and monuments on the land.

26. When was Charles I executed?

• 1649
• 1646
• 1653
• 1658

The king's army was defeated at the Battles of Marston Moor and Naseby. By 1646, it was clear that Parliament had won the war. Charles was held prisoner by the parliamentary army. He was still unwilling to reach any agreement with Parliament and in 1649 he was executed.

27. What is known as the Bessemer process?

• Production of steel
• Production of iron
• Production of bronze
• Production of coal

The development of the Bessemer process for the mass production of steel led to the development of the shipbuilding industry and the railways.

28. A treaty gave independence to the south of Ireland in 1921

• True
• False

In 1921 a peace treaty was signed and in 1922 Ireland became two countries. The six counties in the north which were mainly Protestant remained part of the UK under the name Northern Ireland. The rest of Ireland became the Irish Free State. It had its own government and became a republic in 1949.

29. What did the Chartists campaign for?

• Every man to have a vote
• Anyone to be able to stand as an MP
• Elections every 5 years
• Open ballots

In the 1830s and 1840s, a group called the Chartists campaigned for reform. They wanted six changes: for every man to have the vote; elections every year; for all regions to be equal in the electoral system; secret ballots; for any man to be able to stand as an MP; for MPs to be paid.

30. Admiral Nelson died in which battle?

• Battle of Trafalgar
• Battle of Waterloo
• Battle of Agincourt
• Battle of Britain

Britain's navy fought against combined French and Spanish fleets, winning the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Admiral Nelson was in charge of the British fleet at Trafalgar and was killed in the battle.

31. How many years did Charles I try to rule without Parliament?

• 11
• 14
• 16
• 20

For 11 years, Charles I found ways in which to raise money without Parliament's approval but eventually trouble in Scotland meant that he had to recall Parliament.

32. What profession was Florence Nightingale famous for?

• Painter
• Gardener
• Nurse
• Political Leader

At the age of 31, Florence Nightingale trained as a nurse in Germany. In 1854, she went to Turkey and worked in military hospitals, treating soldiers who were fighting in the Crimean War.

33. Satirical magazines began to be published in the 19th century. When was 'Punch' first published?

• 1810s
• 1870s
• 1840s
• 1890s

Punch' was published for the first time in the 1840s

34. When was the Magna Carta established?

• 1215
• 1314
• 1516
• 1415

There were few formal limits to the king's power until 1215. In that year, King John was forced by his noblemen to agree to a number of demands. The result was a charter of rights called the Magna Carta (which means the Great Charter). The Magna Carta established the idea that even the king was subject to the law. It protected the rights of the nobility and restricted the king's power to collect taxes or to make or change laws.

35. Which TWO wives of Henry VIII were executed?

• Catherine Howard
• Anne Boleyn
• Anne of Cleves
• Jayne Seymour

Anne Boleyn was English. She and Henry had one daughter, Elizabeth. Anne was unpopular in the country and was accused of taking lovers. She was executed at the Tower of London. Catherine was a cousin of Anne Boleyn. She was also accused of taking lovers and executed.

36. How long did the Romans stay in Britain?

• 400 years
• 600 years
• 300 years
• 100 years

The Romans remained in Britain for 400 years.

37. Winston Churchill lost the General Election in 1945

• True
• False

Churchill was the son of a politician and, before becoming a Conservative MP in 1900, was a soldier and journalist. In May 1940 he became Prime Minister. He refused to surrender to the Nazis and was an inspirational leader to the British people in a time of great hardship. He lost the General Election in 1945 but returned as Prime Minister in 1951.

38. The burial place of one of the kings was at Sutton Hoo in modern Suffolk

• True
• False

The burial place of one of the Anglo-Saxon kings was at Sutton Hoo in modern Suffolk. This king was buried with treasure and armour, all placed in a ship which was then covered by a mound of earth.

39. There is no upper age limit for doing jury service

• True
• False

As well as getting the right to vote, people on the electoral register are randomly selected to serve on a jury. Anyone who is on the electoral register and is aged 18 to 70 can be asked to do this.

40. What was the name of plague that killed one third of the population of England in 1348?

• The White Death
• The Black Death
• Bird Flu
• The Pale Flu

In 1348, a disease, probably a form of plague called 'the Black Death', came to Britain.

41. Which prehistoric monument still stands in the English county of Wiltshire?

• Stonehenge
• Hadrian's Wall
• Offa's Dyke
• Fountains Abbey

Stonehenge, still stands in what is now the English county of Wiltshire. Stonehenge was probably a special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies.

42. Which of these is a British invention/discovery?

• The structure of the DNA molecule
• Fire extinguisher
• Hovercraft tank
• Radiator

The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered in 1953 through work at British universities in London and Cambridge. This discovery contributed to many scientific advances, particularly in medicine and fighting crime. Francis Crick (1916-2004), one of those awarded the Nobel Prize for this discovery, was British.

43. Who built the Tower of London?

• William the Conqueror
• Henry VII
• Henry VIII
• Oliver Cromwell

The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror after he became king in 1066.

44. Which General remains a controversial figure in Ireland?

• Oliver Cromwell
• Nelson
• James Cook
• Francis Drake

Cromwell was successful in establishing the authority of the English Parliament in Ireland but did this with such violence that even today Cromwell remains a controversial figure.

45. Which TWO scientists led a team which was the first to clone an animal?

• Ernest Rutherford
• Sir Ian Wilmot
• James Goodfellow
• Keith Campbell

In 1996, two British scientists, Sir Ian Wilmot (1944-) and Keith Campbell (1954-2012), led a team which was the first to succeed in cloning a mammal, Dolly the sheep. This has led to further research into the possible use of cloning to preserve endangered species and for medical purposes.

46. What did Henry VII do?

• Reduced the power of the nobles
• Restricted King's power
• Increased the power of the nobles
• Broke away from the Church of Rome

Henry VII wanted to make sure that England remained peaceful and that his position as king was secure. He deliberately strengthened the central administration of England and reduced the power of the nobles.

47. Why is it called 'The Glorious Revolution'?

• Because there was no fighting
• Because of new technological advances
• Because of new achievements
• Women were given the right to vote

This event was later called the 'Glorious Revolution' because there was no fighting in England and because it guaranteed the power of Parliament, ending the threat of a monarch ruling on his or her own as he or she wished.

48. The Battle of Somme resulted in how many British casualties on the first day?

• 40000
• 60000
• 120000
• 140000

One battle, the British attack on the Somme in July 1916, resulted in about 60,000 British casualties on the first day alone.

49. What medal was introduced during the Crimean War?

• The Victoria Cross
• The Elizabeth Medal
• Medal of Honour
• Elizabeth gold

Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross medal during the Crimean war. It honours acts of valour by soldiers.

50. What was the more probable use for the Stonehenge?

• A safe place for shelter
• A special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies
• A hiding place from enemies
• A fort for soldiers

Stonehenge, still stands in what is now the English county of Wiltshire. Stonehenge was probably a special gathering place for seasonal ceremonies

51. Where did Charles II hide to escape from Cromwell's army?

• In an oak tree
• In a house
• In a garden
• In a Church

Charles II escaped from Worcester, famously hiding in an oak tree on one occasion, and eventually fled to Europe.

52. In what year was there a revolution in France which led to a war with Britain?

• 1789
• 1679
• 1097
• 1298

During the 18th century, Britain fought a number of wars with France. In 1789, there was a revolution in France and the new French government soon declared war on Britain. Napoleon, who became Emperor of France, continued the war.

53. When was the time of growing patriotism?

• The Elizabethan period
• The Golden Age
• The Iron Age
• The Victorian Age

The Elizabethan period in England was a time of growing patriotism: a feeling of pride in being English. English explorers sought new trade routes and tried to expand British trade into the Spanish colonies in the Americas.

54. In what county can you see a hill fort at Maiden Castle?

• Wiltshire
• Cheshire
• Lancashire
• Dorset

A very impressive hill fort can still be seen today at Maiden Castle, in the English county of Dorset.

55. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, Ireland was an independent country

• True
• False

At the beginning of the Middle Ages, Ireland was an independent country. The English first went to Ireland as troops to help the Irish king and remained to build their own settlements. By 1200, the English ruled an area of Ireland known as the Pale, around Dublin. Some of the important lords in other parts of Ireland accepted the authority of the English king.

56. What was the purpose of the Emancipation Act?

• Abolish slavery in the British Empire
• No one could be held prisoner unlawfully
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech

In 1807, it became illegal to trade slaves in British ships or from British ports, and in 1833 the Emancipation Act abolished slavery throughout the British Empire.

57. What is the correct order of the Patron Saints' Days? (Starting from January)

• St George's Day, St David's Day, St Patrick's Day, St Andrew's Day
• St David's Day, St Patrick's Day, St George's Day, St Andrew's Day
• St Patrick's Day, St David's Day, St Andrew's Day, St George's Day
• St David's Day, St Patrick's Day, St Andrew's Day, St George's Day

Only Scotland and Northern Ireland have their patron saint's day as an official holiday. Events are held across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the rest of the country, especially where there are a lot of people of Scottish, Northern Irish and Irish heritage.

58. What did the 'Bill of Rights' confirm?

• Parliament's increased power
• King's increased power
• Kings can collect taxes
• Kings can administer justice

The Bill of Rights, 1689, confirmed the rights of Parliament and the limits of the king's power.

59. Which TWO are famous British sailors?

• Sir Ian Botham
• Sir Francis Chichester
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
• Sir Jackie Stewart

A British sailor, Sir Francis Chichester, was the first person to sail single-handed around the world, in 1966/67. Two years later, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to do this without stopping.

60. What prehistoric village (off the north coast of Scotland) has helped archaeologists to understand more about how people lived near the end of the Stone Age?

• Shetland
• St Helena
• Falkland Islands
• Skara Brae on Orkney

Skara Brae on Orkney, off the north coast of Scotland, is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe, and has helped archaeologists to understand more about how people lived near the end of the Stone Age.

61. What marked the beginning of 'constitutional monarchy'?

• The Glorious Revolution
• The Magna Carta
• The Restoration
• The English Civil War

The laws passed after the Glorious Revolution are the beginning of what is called 'constitutional monarchy'.

62. What university did Isaac Newton attend?

• Cambridge
• Oxford
• Warwick
• London State University

Born in Lincolnshire, eastern England, Isaac Newton first became interested in science when he studied at Cambridge University. He became an important figure in the field. His most famous published work was Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), which showed how gravity applied to the whole universe.

63. Where was Anne Boleyn, the wife of Henry VIII who was accused of taking lovers, executed?

• The Tower of London
• Windsor Castle
• Stonehenge
• Maiden Castle

Anne Boleyn was English. She and Henry had one daughter, Elizabeth. Anne was unpopular in the country and was accused of taking lovers. She was executed at the Tower of London.

64. When did the Glorious Revolution happen?

• 1688
• 1692
• 1680
• 1685

In 1688, important Protestants in England asked William to invade England and proclaim himself king. When William reached England, there was no resistance. This event was later called the 'Glorious Revolution' because there was no fighting in England and because it guaranteed the power of Parliament, ending the threat of a monarch ruling on his or her own as he or she wished.

65. Who became one of the most popular monarchs in the 16th century?

• Elizabeth I
• Mary I
• Henry VIII
• Henry VII

Queen Elizabeth I became one of the most popular monarchs in English history, particularly after 1588, when the English defeated the Spanish Armada.

66. What name is given to the official flag that represents the union between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

• Union Jack
• Union King
• Union Queen
• Union Ace

One symbol of the union between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was a new version of the official flag, the Union Flag. This is often called the Union Jack.

67. Where is the best preserved prehistoric village 'Skara Brae on Orkney' located?

• Scotland
• England
• Ireland
• Wales

Skara Brae on Orkney, off the north coast of Scotland, is the best preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe, and has helped archaeologists to understand more about how people lived near the end of the Stone Age.

68. What party won the election in 1945 (After WWII)?

• Labour
• Conservative
• Liberal Democrats
• A coalition

In 1945 the British people elected a Labour government. The new Prime Minister was Clement Attlee, who promised to introduce the welfare state outlined in the Beveridge Report. In 1948, Aneurin (Nye) Bevan, the Minister for Health, led the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS), which guaranteed a minimum standard of health care for all, free at the point of use.

69. What tells us about how people lived just after the Norman Conquest?

• The Domesday book
• Historical Landmarks
• The Bayeux Tapestry
• Historical Villages

William sent people all over England to draw up lists of all the towns and villages. The people who lived there, who owned the land and what animals they owned were also listed. This was called the Domesday Book. It still exists today and gives a picture of society in England just after the Norman Conquest.

70. The Welsh Dragon doesn't appear on the Union Flag because Wales was already united with England in 1606

• True
• False

The Welsh dragon does not appear on the Union Flag because, when the first Union Flag was created in 1606 from the flags of Scotland and England, the Principality of Wales was already united with England.

71. Which of the following discoveries contributed to the progress of the Industrial Revolution?

• Steam Power
• Penicillin
• Television
• Jet Engine

During the 18th century, new ideas about politics, philosophy and science were developed. This is often called 'the Enlightenment'. Many of the great thinkers of the Enlightenment were Scottish. Adam Smith developed ideas about economics which are still referred to today. David Hume's ideas about human nature continue to influence philosophers. Scientific discoveries, such as James Watt's work on steam power, helped the progress of the Industrial Revolution.

72. In the middle of the 19th century the potato crop failed, and Ireland suffered a famine

• True
• False

In the middle of the 19th century the potato crop failed, and Ireland suffered a famine. A million people died from disease and starvation. Another million and a half left Ireland.