A modern, thriving society

1. Sir Edward Elgar is known for his famous music work - 'The Planets'

• True
• False

More recently, important composers include Gustav Holst (1874-1934), whose work includes The Planets, a suite of pieces themed around the planets of the solar system. He adapted Jupiter, part of the Planets suite, as the tune for I vow to thee my country, a popular hymn in British churches.

2. How many Olympic gold medals has the Scottish cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy, won?

• 2
• 5
• 6
• 7

Sir Chris Hoy (1976-) is a Scottish cyclist who has won six gold and one silver Olympic medals. He has also won 11 world championship titles.

3. Who won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic Games?

• Dame Kelly Holmes
• Dame Ellen MacArthur
• Jayne Torvill
• Christopher Dean

Dame Kelly Holmes (1970-) won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic Games.

4. Who became the first Briton to win the Tour de France?

• Bradley Wiggins
• Sir Chris Hoy
• Andy Murray
• Mo Farah

Bradley Wiggins (1980-) is a cyclist. In 2012, he became the first Briton to win the Tour de France. He has won seven Olympic medals, including gold medals in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

5. Where can you find Crown Jewels?

• The Buckingham Palace
• The Tower of London
• Queen's house in Greenwich
• The National Museum

The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror after he became king in 1066. Tours are given by the Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, who tell visitors about the building's history. People can also see the Crown Jewels there.

6. When was the first public film shown in the UK?

• 1899
• 1902
• 1896
• 1904

Films were first shown publicly in the UK in 1896 and film screenings very quickly became popular. From the beginning, film makers became famous for clever special effects and this continues to be an area of British expertise.

7. What is the Church of England usually known as in other countries?

• The Anglican Church
• The Episcopal Church
• The State Church
• The Great Church

The official Church of the state is the Church of England, called the Anglican Church in other countries and the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the United States.

8. What's the age requirement to drink wine with a meal with someone over 18?

• 16
• 17
• 18
• 21

16 year olds can drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant as long as they are with someone over 18.

9. Which Scottish poet wrote 'The Bruce'?

• John Barbour
• Geoffrey Chaucer
• Kevin MacDonald
• Kevin MacAlpin

In Scotland, many people continued to speak Gaelic and the Scots language also developed. A number of poets began to write in the Scots language. One example is John Barbour, who wrote The Bruce about the Battle of Bannockburn.

10. Who designed New Delhi to be the seat of government in India?

• Sir Edwin Lutyens
• Robert Adam
• Sir Christopher Wren
• Inigo Jones

In the 20th century, Sir Edwin Lutyens had an influence throughout the British Empire. He designed New Delhi to be the seat of government in India. He was responsible for many war memorials throughout the world, including the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

11. As per 2021 census, what percentage of the England and Wales population identified as Sikh?

• 1%
• 3%
• 2%
• 4%

In the 2021 England and Wales census, around 525,000 people from the sampled population of 60 million identified as Sikh. 46% of people identified themselves as Christian. Much smaller proportions identified themselves as Muslim (6.5%), Hindu (2%), Sikh (1%), Jewish or Buddhist (both around 0.5%), 0.5% of people followed another religion and 37% stated not to follow any religion.

12. What percentage of the total population lives in Scotland?

• 8%
• 2%
• 14%
• 21%

The population is very unequally distributed over the four parts of the UK. England more or less consistently makes up 84% of the total population, Wales around 5%, Scotland just over 8% and Northern Ireland less than 3%.

13. What did Sir Frank Whittle invent in the 1930s?

• Jet engine
• Telephone
• Computer
• Ballpoint pen

The jet engine was developed in Britain in the 1930s by Sir Frank Whittle (1907-96), a British Royal Air Force engineer Officer.

14. George Frederick wrote which oratorio, which is sung regularly by choirs, often at Easter time?

• Messiah
• Elijah
• The Light of the Moon
• The Origin

The German-born composer George Frideric Handel (1695-1759) spent many years in the UK and became a British citizen in 1727. He wrote the Water Music for King George I and Music for the Royal Fireworks for his son, George II. Both these pieces continue to be very popular. Handel also wrote an oratorio, Messiah, which is sung regularly by choirs, often at Easter time.

15. Which TWO are famous UK sports stars?

• William Shakespeare
• Thomas Gainsborough
• Jackie Stewart
• Sir Chris Hoy

Sir Jackie Stewart (1939-) is a Scottish former racing driver who won the Formula 1 world championship three times. Sir Chris Hoy (1976-) is a Scottish cyclist who has won six gold and one silver Olympic medals. He has also won 11 world championship titles.

16. Where does the Scottish Grand National take place?

• Ayr
• Aintree
• Berkshire
• The borders

Famous horse-racing events include: Royal Ascot, a five-day race meeting in Berkshire attended by members of the Royal Family; the Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool; and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. There is a National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, Suffolk.

17. What is a traditional pub game?

• Pool
• Chess
• Poker
• Roulette

Pub quizzes are popular. Pool and darts are traditional pub games.

18. When is Halloween celebrated?

• 31st of October
• 30th of October
• 30th of November
• 31st of November

Halloween, 31 October, is an ancient festival and has roots in the pagan festival to mark the beginning of winter. Young people will often dress up in frightening costumes to play 'trick or treat'. People give them treats to stop them playing tricks on them. A lot of people carve lanterns out of pumpkins and put a candle inside.

19. Easter eggs are often given as presents at Easter as a symbol of new life

• True
• False

Easter is also celebrated by people who are not religious. 'Easter eggs' are chocolate eggs often given as presents at Easter as a symbol of new life.

20. What happens at 11:00 on the Remembrance Day?

• A 2 minute silence
• A 1 minute silence
• A 30 second silence
• A 10 second silence

Remembrance Day, 11 November, commemorates those who died fighting for the UK and its allies. Originally it commemorated the dead of the First World War, which ended on 11 November 1918. People wear poppies (the red flower found on the battlefields of the First World War). At 11.00 am there is a two-minute silence and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

21. Which TWO are compulsory in the UK if you own an old car?

• A valid MOT test certificate
• Car insurance
• Life insurance
• Mortgage

It is an offence not to have an MOT certificate if your vehicle is more than three years old or without car insurance.

22. What is the percentage of Sikh living in the UK?

• 5%
• 9%
• 1%
• 13.00%

In the 2021 England and Wales census, around 525,000 (0.9%) people from the sampled population of 60 million identified as Sikh. 46% of people identified themselves as Christian. Much smaller proportions identified themselves as Muslim (6.5%), Hindu (2%), Sikh (1%), Jewish or Buddhist (both around 0.5%), 0.5% of people followed another religion and 37% stated not to follow any religion.

23. Who is Andy Murray?

• A Scottish tennis player
• A Scottish rower
• A Scottish cyclist
• A Scottish runner

Andy Murray (1987-) is a Scottish tennis player who in 2012 won the men's singles in the US Open. He is the first British man to win a singles title in a Grand Slam tournament since 1936. In the same year, he won Olympic gold and silver medals.

24. Which style of architecture became popular in the 19th century?

• Gothic
• Classical
• Simple
• Neoclassical

In the 19th century, the medieval 'gothic' style became popular once again.

25. Which of these venues is located in Scotland?

• The SECC
• The O2
• Wembley Stadium
• Troxy

The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) is located in Glasgow, Scotland.

26. What is the national flower of Northern Ireland?

• A Lily
• A Shamrock
• A Thistle
• A Rose

A Shamrock is the national flower of Northern Ireland.

27. On what day does 'Lent' begin?

• Good Friday
• Ash Wednesday
• Shrove Tuesday
• Pancake day

The 40 days before Easter are known as Lent. It is a time when Christians take time to reflect and prepare for Easter. Traditionally, people would fast during this period and today many people will give something up, like a favourite food. The day before Lent starts is called Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

28. A 2 minutes silence is observed on Easter to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ

• True
• False

Remembrance Day, 11 November, commemorates those who died fighting for the UK and its allies. Originally it commemorated the dead of the First World War, which ended on 11 November 1918. People wear poppies (the red flower found on the battlefields of the First World War). At 11.00 am there is a two-minute silence and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

29. What does Eid al-Fitr celebrate?

• The end of Ramadan
• That the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to
• The founding of the Muslim community
• The struggle for religious freedom

Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month. They thank Allah for giving them the strength to complete the fast. The date when it takes place changes every year. Muslims attend special services and meals.

30. Select TWO famous Athletes

• Henry Moore
• John Barbour
• Sir Roger Bannister
• Mo Farah

Sir Roger Bannister (1929-) was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes, in 1954. Mo Farah (1983-) is a British distance runner, born in Somalia. He won gold medals in the 2012 Olympics for the 5,000 and 10,000 metres and is the first Briton to win the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 metres.

31. How many times did Sir Jackie Stewart win the Formula 1 championship?

• 3
• 2
• 1
• 4

Sir Jackie Stewart (1939-) is a Scottish former racing driver who won the Formula 1 world championship three times.

32. Which TWO are associated with rugby?

• The Six Nations Championship
• The Super League
• The Premier League
• Wimbledon

The most famous rugby union competition is the Six Nations Championship between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy. The Super League is the most well-known rugby league (club) competition.

33. The Proms is an eight-week summer season of what?

• Orchestral classical music
• Classic Pop music
• Heavy metal music
• Underground Hip-Hop music

The Proms is an eight-week summer season of orchestral (or solo instrumental) classical music that takes place in various venues, including the Royal Albert Hall in London. It has been organised by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) since 1927. The Last Night of the Proms is the most well-known concert and (along with others in the series) is broadcast on television.

34. Which comedy double act by Nick Park won many Oscars?

• Wallace and Gromit
• Laurel and Hardy
• Gavin and Stacey
• Thelma and Louise

Nick Park, who has won four Oscars for his animated films, including three for films featuring Wallace and Gromit.

35. Who directed the two British films 'Brief Encounter' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'?

• Alfred Hitchcock
• David Lean
• Hugh Hudson
• William Walton

Brief Encounter (1945), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) were directed by David Lean

36. What is the Grand National?

• Horse racing
• Golf
• Football
• Cricket

Famous horse-racing events include: Royal Ascot, a five-day race meeting in Berkshire attended by members of the Royal Family; the Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool; and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

37. What awards event celebrates British theatre?

• The Laurence Olivier Awards
• The Turner Prize
• The Mercury Prize
• The Brit Awards

The Laurence Olivier Awards take place annually at different venues in London. There are a variety of categories, including best director, best actor and best actress. The awards are named after the British actor Sir Laurence Olivier, later Lord Olivier, who was best known for his roles in various Shakespeare plays.

38. Eid al-Fitr and Eid ul Adha are festivals celebrated by which religion?

• Christianity
• Sikhism
• Buddhism
• Islam

Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month. They thank Allah for giving them the strength to complete the fast. The date when it takes place changes every year. Muslims attend special services and meals. Eid ul Adha remembers that the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. It reminds Muslims of their own commitment to God. Many Muslims sacrifice an animal to eat during this festival. In Britain this has to be done in a slaughterhouse.

39. What type of literature are 'The Canterbury Tales' written by Geoffrey Chaucer?

• Novels
• Plays
• Sonnets
• Poems

In the years leading up to 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a series of poems in English about a group of people going to Canterbury on a pilgrimage. The people decided to tell each other stories on the journey, and the poems describe the travellers and some of the stories they told. This collection of poems is called The Canterbury Tales. It was one of the first books to be printed by William Caxton, the first person in England to print books using a printing press. Many of the stories are still popular. Some have been made into plays and television programmes.

40. Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen are famous writers

• True
• False

They are all famous authors and writers.

41. What is the most famous competition which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia?

• The Ashes
• The Wimbledon Championship
• The Open Championship
• Formula One

Cricket originated in England and is now played in many countries. Games can last up to five days but still result in a draw! The idiosyncratic nature of the game and its complex laws are said to reflect the best of the British character and sense of fair play. You may come across expressions such as 'rain stopped play', 'batting on a sticky wicket', 'playing a straight bat', 'bowled a googly' or 'it's just not cricket', which have passed into everyday usage. The most famous competition is the Ashes, which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia.

42. What was build as part of the UK's celebration of the new millennium?

• The London Eye
• Big Ben
• The Eden Project
• The Tower of London

The London Eye is situated on the southern bank of the River Thames and is a Ferris wheel that is 443 feet (135 metres) tall. It was originally built as part of the UK's celebration of the new millennium and continues to be an important part of New Year celebrations.

43. When is Christmas Eve?

• 24th of December
• 25th of December
• 26th of December
• 23rd of December

Christmas Day is on the 25th of December. Christmas Eve is the day before that which is the 24th of December.

44. Radar was developed by Scotsman Sir Robert Watson-Watt

• True
• False

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.

45. Which charity works to preserve important buildings?

• The National Trust
• Age UK
• NSPCC
• The Red Cross

Many parts of the countryside and places of interest are kept open by the National Trust. It aims to preserve important buildings, coastline and countryside in the UK. The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three volunteers. There are now more than 61,000 volunteers helping to keep the organisation running.

46. Where in Scotland is known as the home of golf?

• St Andrews
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Aberdeen

St Andrews in Scotland is known as the home of golf.

47. Who was the first Briton to win the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 meters?

• Mo Farah
• David Weir
• Bradley Wiggins
• Sir Chris Hoy

Mo Farah was the first British runner to win the gold medal in the 10 km.

48. How many national parks are there in England, Wales and Scotland?

• 5
• 8
• 15
• 25

There are 15 national parks in England, Wales and Scotland. They are areas of protected countryside that everyone can visit, and where people live, work and look after the landscape.

49. When is St David's day?

• 1st of March
• 17th of March
• 30th of November
• 23rd of April

St David's day is on the 1st of March. He is a Patron St of Wales.

50. Who wrote music for King George I?

• George Frederick Handel
• Sir William Walton
• Benjamin Britten
• Sir Edward Elgar

The German-born composer George Frideric Handel (1695-1759) spent many years in the UK and became a British citizen in 1727. He wrote the Water Music for King George I and Music for the Royal Fireworks for his son, George II.

51. What percentage of the total population lives in England?

• 84%
• 52%
• 67%
• 95%

The population is very unequally distributed over the four parts of the UK. England more or less consistently makes up 84% of the total population, Wales around 5%, Scotland just over 8% and Northern Ireland less than 3%.

52. Select TWO popular social networking websites

• Telephone
• Facebook
• Twitter
• E-mail

Social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter are a popular way for people to stay in touch with friends, organise social events, and share photos, videos and opinions. Many people use social networking on their mobile phones when out and about.

53. What is the Turner Prize given for?

• Art
• Music
• Garden design
• Dancing

The Turner Prize is recognised as one of the most prestigious visual art awards in Europe. Previous winners include Damien Hirst and Richard Wright.

54. On Valentine's Day people exchange gifts and cards and send anonymous cards to people they secretly admire

• True
• False

Valentine's Day, 14 February, is when lovers exchange cards and gifts. Sometimes people send anonymous cards to someone they secretly admire.

55. Who is the head of the Church of England?

• The Monarch
• The Pope
• The Prime Minister
• The Duke of Edinburgh

The monarch is the head of the Church of England. The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

56. What UK landmark was voted as Britain's favourite view?

• The Lake District
• Snowdonia
• Loch Lomond
• Edinburgh Castle

The Lake District is England's largest national park. It covers 885 square miles (2,292 square kilometres). It is famous for its lakes and mountains and is very popular with climbers, walkers and sailors. The biggest stretch of water is Windermere. In 2007, television viewers voted Wastwater as Britain's favourite view.

57. First professional football clubs were formed in the late 19th century

• True
• False

its True. The first professional football clubs were formed in the late 19th century.

58. How old do you have to be to go into betting shops or gambling clubs?

• 16
• 18
• 20
• 21

You have to be 18 to go into betting shops or gambling clubs.

59. What is the capital of Wales?

• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• London
• Belfast

Cardiff is the capital of Wales.

60. Where is the SECC located?

• London
• Wales
• Swansea
• Glasgow

There are many large venues that host music events throughout the year, such as: Wembley Stadium; The O2 in Greenwich, south-east London; and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow.

61. Ulster fry is a traditional food of which country?

• Northern Ireland
• Wales
• England
• Scotland

Northern Ireland's traditional food is 'Ulster fry' - a fried meal with bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, white pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, soda bread and potato bread.

62. What is Diwali often called?

• The Festival of Lights
• The Festival of the Sun
• The Festival of Fire
• The Festival of Love

Diwali normally falls in October or November and lasts for five days. It is often called the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and the gaining of knowledge. There are different stories about how the festival came about. There is a famous celebration of Diwali in Leicester.

63. What kind of event is The Wimbledon Championship?

• Cricket
• Tennis
• Rugby
• Water sport

Tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century. The first tennis club was founded in Leamington Spa in 1872. The most famous tournament hosted in Britain is The Wimbledon Championships, which takes place each year at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only 'Grand Slam' event played on grass.

64. Who is Sir Edward Elgar(1857-1934)?

• A musician
• An actor
• A doctor
• A politician

Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) was born in Worcester, England. His best-known work is probably the Pomp and Circumstance Marches. March No 1 (Land of Hope and Glory) is usually played at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

65. What is an important part of the UK character?

• The ability to laugh at ourselves
• To have fish and chips every lunch
• Go to the pub every Friday
• Go to University

The traditions of comedy and satire, and the ability to laugh at ourselves, are an important part of the UK character.

66. Which of the following flowers represents England?

• Rose
• Shamrock
• Daffodil
• Thistle

The national flower of England is the Rose.

67. What is 'Snowdon'?

• A mountain
• A lake
• A garden
• A castle

Snowdonia is a national park in North Wales. It covers an area of 838 square miles (2,170 square kilometres). Its most well-known landmark is Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales.

68. What is the maximum fine if you watch TV without a valid TV licence?

• £1,000
• £500
• £3,000
• £2,000

You will receive a fine of up to £1,000 if you watch TV but do not have a TV licence.

69. Who was Queen Elizabeth II married to?

• Prince Philip
• King Charles III
• Prince Harry
• Prince William

Queen Elizabeth II reigned since her father's death in 1952, (she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee i.e. 60 years as queen) until she passed away in 2022. She was married to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Her eldest son, King Charles III (previously known as the Prince of Wales) became the sovereign monarch in 2022. His eldest son, heir to the throne, Prince William is the new Prince of Wales.

70. What do many theatres produce at Christmas time?

• Pantomime
• Huge Display
• Tragedy Play
• New Years Celebration

One British tradition is the pantomime. Many theatres produce a pantomime at Christmas time. They are based on fairy stories and are light-hearted plays with music and comedy, enjoyed by family audiences. One of the traditional characters is the Dame, a woman played by a man. There is often also a pantomime horse or cow played by two actors in the same costume.

71. Haggis is a traditional food of which country?

• Scotland
• England
• Northern Ireland
• Wales

Scotland's food is Haggis - a sheep's stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal.

72. Christmas Day, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, is on which day?

• 25-Dec
• 26-Dec
• 31-Dec
• 01-Jan

Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday. Many Christians go to church on Christmas Eve (24 December) or on Christmas Day itself.