A modern, thriving society (Part 3)

1. Select TWO early members of the Royal Society

• Sir Edmund Halley
• Sir William Shakespeare
• Sir Isaac Newton
• Sir Geoffrey Chaucer

Charles II was interested in science. During his reign, the Royal Society was formed to promote 'natural knowledge'. This is the oldest surviving scientific society in the world. Among its early members were Sir Edmund Halley, who successfully predicted the return of the comet now called Halley's Comet, and Sir Isaac Newton.

2. Which TWO are used when making Haggis?

• Onions
• Oatmeal
• Chicken
• Dough

Scottish Traditional Food: Haggis, a sheep's stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal.

3. Which of the following is a William Wordsworth's poem?

• The Daffodils
• She Walks in Beauty
• The Tyger
• Home Thoughts from Abroad

All 4 options are poems, but all written by different poets.(Robert Browning, 1812-89 'Home Thoughts from Abroad'), (Lord Byron, 1788-1824 'She Walks in Beauty'), (William Blake, 1757-1827 'The Tyger'), (William Wordsworth, 1770-1850 'The Daffodils' - 'I wander'd lonely as a cloud, That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils').

4. What do the Brit Awards celebrate?

• Music
• Theatre
• Movies
• Art

The Brit Awards is an annual event that gives awards in a range of categories, such as best British group and best British solo artist.

5. The 39 steps was directed by David Lean in 1980

• True
• False

The 39 Steps (1935), directed by Alfred Hitchcock

6. How many times has the UK hosted the Olympic Games?

• 3
• 2
• 1
• 4

The UK has hosted the Olympic Games on three occasions: 1908, 1948 and 2012. The main Olympic site for the 2012 Games was in Stratford, East London.

7. What do the Brit Awards celebrate?

• Movies
• Theatre
• Music
• Art

The Brit Awards is an annual event that gives awards in a range of categories, such as best British group and best British solo artist.

8. What is the Giant's Causeway made of?

• Stone
• Iron
• Bronze
• Volcanic Lava

Located on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway is a land formation of columns made from volcanic lava. It was formed about 50 million years ago. There are many legends about the Causeway and how it was formed.

9. Which country's national flower is a thistle?

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

A thistle is a national flower of Scotland.

10. Which TWO are associated with a Bank Holiday?

• A public holiday
• A day when most people have an official day off
• A holiday which is always on a Monday
• A day off for all the banks in the country

Bank holidays are public holidays, when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day.

11. Which of these venues is located in Greenwich?

• The O2
• The SECC
• The Copenhagen Concert Hall
• Auditorio de Tenerife

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

12. As per 2021 England and Wales census, what's the percetage of Jewish or Buddhist people in the UK?

• 15%
• 10%
• 5%
• 1%

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.

13. Who can get a 50% discount on their TV licence?

• Blind people
• Deaf people
• Army Officers
• Students

People over 75 can apply for a free TV licence and blind people can get a 50% discount.

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

• St Andrews
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Inverness

Game of golf can be traced back to 15th century Scotland. It is a popular sport played socially as well as professionally. There are public and private golf courses all over the UK. St Andrews in Scotland is known as the home of golf.

15. Which Two British film actors have recently won Oscars?

• Colin Firth
• Tilda Swinton
• Leonardo DiCaprio
• Jackie Stewart

Recent British actors to have won Oscars include Colin Firth, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dame Judi Dench, Kate Winslet and Tilda Swinton.

16. Who designed the Cenotaph?

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

Sir Edwin Lutyens was responsible for many war memorials throughout the world, including the Cenotaph in Whitehall. The Cenotaph is the site of the annual Remembrance Day service attended by the Queen and many others.

17. What is the highest denomination of coins one can find in the UK?

• £50
• £2
• £1
• £20

The currency in the UK is the pound sterling (symbol £). There are 100 pence in a pound. The denominations (values) of currency are - coins: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2; notes: £5, £10, £20, £50.

18. What is the second biggest country in the UK?

• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• England

Scotland has the second highest population and area.

19. Name the most famous cricket competition, which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia

• Ashes
• Classics
• Lords
• Masters

The most famous competition is the Ashes, which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia.

20. When is St Patrick's day?

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

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint, called a patron saint. Each saint has a special day: 1 March: St David's Day, Wales;17 March: St Patrick's Day, Northern Ireland; 23 April: St George's Day, England; 30 November: St Andrew's Day, Scotland.

21. When is St Patrick's day?

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

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint, called a patron saint. Each saint has a special day: 1 March: St David's Day, Wales;17 March: St Patrick's Day, Northern Ireland; 23 April: St George's Day, England; 30 November: St Andrew's Day, Scotland.

22. What time do Public Houses open at?

• 09:00
• 10:00
• 11:00
• Noon

Public houses (pubs) are an important part of the UK social culture. Pubs are usually open during the day from 11.00 am (12 noon on Sundays).

23. Where can you get help if you can't afford to pay a vet?

• Charities
• Family
• Friends
• Your vet

Vaccinations and medical treatment for animals are available from veterinary surgeons (vets). There are charities which may help people who cannot afford to pay a vet.

24. When do pubs usually open?

• 11:00
• 13:00
• 16:00
• 22:00

Public Houses, also known as Pubs, usually open at 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM on Sundays.

25. 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.

26. Which of the following was written by Lord Byron?

• The Tyger
• She Walks in Beauty
• The Daffodils
• Anthem for Doomed Youth

She Walks in Beauty is a short poem by Lord Byron

27. In 2003, The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien was voted the country's best loved novel

• True
• False

In 2003, The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien was voted the country's best loved novel

28. What is Boxing Day?(Choose TWO)

• When people watch boxing championship
• A public holiday
• The day after Christmas Day
• The day before New Year

Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day and is a public holiday.

29. Mothering Sunday is the third Sunday in June

• True
• False

Mothering Sunday (or Mother's Day) is the Sunday three weeks before Easter. Children send cards or buy gifts for their mothers.

30. Who is the Patron St of Wales?

• St David
• St Andrew
• St Patrick
• St George

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint, called a patron saint. Each saint has a special day: 1 March: St David's Day, Wales;17 March: St Patrick's Day, Northern Ireland; 23 April: St George's Day, England; 30 November: St Andrew's Day, Scotland.

31. What are Halloween lanterns traditionally made out of?

• Apples
• Cucumbers
• Potatoes
• Pumpkins

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.

32. Which is a famous area in London for theatres?

• West End
• East End
• South End
• The City

There are theaters in most towns and cities throughout the UK, ranging from the large to the small. They are an important part of local communities and often show both professional and amateur productions. London's West End, also known as 'Theatreland', is particularly well known. The Mousetrap, a murder-mystery play by Dame Agatha Christie, has been running in the West End since 1952 and has had the longest initial run of any show in history.

33. Which flower is associated with England?

• Rose
• Daffodil
• Thistle
• Shamrock

A rose is the flower associated with England.

34. What country is Swansea in?

• Wales
• Scotland
• England
• Northern Ireland

Swansea is a Welsh city.

35. Who won gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympic Games?

• Sir Steve Redgrave
• Sir Chris Hoy
• Dame Ellen MacArthur
• Sir Roger Bannister

Sir Steve Redgrave won gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympic Games and is one of Britain's greatest Olympians.

36. Where was Robert Burns from?

• Scotland
• Wales
• England
• Northern Ireland

Robert Burns is a famous Scottish Poet

37. In which years did British Film Studios flourish?

• 1970's
• 1910's
• 1930's
• 1950's

British studios flourished in the 1930s. The 1950s and 1960s were a high point for British comedies, including Passport to Pimlico, The Ladykillers and, later, the Carry On films.

38. Where do the Laurence Olivier Awards take place?

• London
• Edinburgh
• Manchester
• Kent

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.

39. Who is Sir Chris Hoy?

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

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.

40. What is an example of the Middle Ages architecture?

• The White Tower in the Tower of London
• The London Eye
• The O2 arena
• The Queen's House in Greenwich

In the Middle Ages, great cathedrals and churches were built, many of which still stand today. Examples are the cathedrals in Durham, Lincoln, Canterbury and Salisbury. The White Tower in the Tower of London is an example of a Norman castle keep, built on the orders of William the Conqueror.

41. What is the Mercury Music Prize awarded for?

• The best album from the UK and Ireland
• The best song in the UK and Ireland
• The best classical song in the UK and Ireland
• The best music producer in the UK and Ireland

The Mercury Music Prize is awarded each September for the best album from the UK and Ireland. The Brit Awards is an annual event that gives awards in a range of categories, such as best British group and best British solo artist.

42. How many National Parks are there in the UK?

• 15
• 12
• 10
• 7

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.

43. How is the Queen Elizabeth II's husband, Prince Philip, often called?

• The Duke of London
• The Duke of Swansea
• The Duke of Belfast
• The Duke of Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth II reigned since her father's death in 1952, in 2012 she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as queen) until she passed away in 2022. She was married to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Her eldest son, Prince Charles (the Prince of Wales) became the sovereign monarch in 2022.

44. How old is Big Ben?

• 150
• 170
• 200
• 220

Big Ben, also known as 'Elizabeth Tower', is over 150 years of age.

45. Who first introduced James Bond?

• Ian Fleming
• J K Rowling
• JRR Tolkien
• Charles Dickens

Ian Fleming's books introduced James Bond.

46. How long is the longest straight distance on the mainland?

• 1006 miles
• 896 miles
• 870 miles
• 845 miles

The longest distance on the mainland is from John O'Groats on the north coast of Scotland to Land's End in the south-west corner of England. It is about 870 miles (approximately 1,400 kilometres).

47. Which TWO of these are cycling athletes?

• Sir Chris Hoy
• Sir Steve Redgrave
• Bradley Wiggins
• Jessica Ennis

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. 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.

48. Where is the Cenotaph located?

• Whitehall
• Trafalgar Square
• Dorset
• Wiltshire

The Cenotaph can be visited in London in Whitehall.

49. When is Halloween (an ancient festival) celebrated?

• 30th October
• 31st October
• 30th November
• 31st 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.

50. What service does the TV licence pay for?

• The BBC
• Freeview channels
• Free radio and tv channels
• None of these

The money from TV licences is used to pay for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

51. In the Church of Scotland, who is the Moderator?

• A financial overseer who has overall responsibility for the accounts of the Church
• The spiritual leader of the Church, who is appointed for life
• A key figure who is responsible for all relations with the Church of England
• The chairperson of the General Assembly, who is appointed for one year only and often speaks on behalf of the Church

In Scotland, the national Church is the Church of Scotland, which is a Presbyterian Church. It is governed by ministers and elders. The chairperson of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the Moderator, who is appointed for one year only and often speaks on behalf of that Church.

52. Which of these athletes is a Paralympian who won gold medals for swimming?

• Jessica Ennis
• David Weir
• Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
• Ellie Simmonds

Ellie Simmonds (1994-) is a Paralympian who won gold medals for swimming at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games and holds a number of world records. She was the youngest member of the British team at the 2008 Games.

53. Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own banknotes valid everywhere in the UK

• True
• False

Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own banknotes, which are valid everywhere in the UK. However, shops and businesses do not have to accept them.

54. In the 20th century, what did Sir Edwin Lutyens design to be the seat of government in India?

• Mumbai
• New Delhi
• Bangalore
• Kolkata

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. After the First World War, he was responsible for many war memorials throughout the world, including the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

55. In Northern Ireland some people speak Irish Gaelic

• True
• False

In Wales, many people speak Welsh - a completely different language from English - and it is taught in schools and universities. In Scotland, Gaelic (again, a different language) is spoken in some parts of the Highlands and Islands, and in Northern Ireland some people speak Irish Gaelic.

56. Who is a Patron St of Scotland?

• St Andrew
• St David
• St George
• St Patrick

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a national saint, called a patron saint. Each saint has a special day: 1 March: St David's Day, Wales;17 March: St Patrick's Day, Northern Ireland; 23 April: St George's Day, England; 30 November: St Andrew's Day, Scotland.

57. When did England win the World Cup?

• 1966
• 1970
• 1962
• 1974

Bobby Moore (1941-93) captained the English football team that won the World Cup in 1966.

58. What Palace was a cast-iron and plate-glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851?

• Crystal Palace
• Dream Palace
• Gold Palace
• The Great Palace

British industry led the world in the 19th century. The UK produced more than half of the world's iron, coal and cotton cloth. The UK also became a centre for financial services, including insurance and banking. In 1851, the Great Exhibition opened in Hyde Park in the Crystal Palace, a huge building made of steel and glass. Exhibits ranged from huge machines to handmade goods. Countries from all over the world showed their goods but most of the objects were made in Britain.

59. Which of these international events was held in London in 2012?

• The World Cup
• The Commonwealth Games
• The Paralympic Games
• EURO 2012

The UK has hosted the Olympic Games on three occasions: 1908, 1948 and 2012. The Paralympic Games for 2012 were also hosted in London.

60. Where is Loch Lomond located?

• Scotland
• England
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

Loch Lomond is the largest expanse of freshwater in mainland Britain and probably the best-known part of the park. It is located in Scotland.

61. Which of these is an Anglo-Saxon poem?

• Beowulf
• Pride and Prejudice
• Jude the Obscure
• Mr Hyde

The Anglo-Saxon poem 'Beowulf' tells of its hero's battles against monsters and is still translated into modern English.

62. Which country invented Cricket?

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Australia

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 most famous Cricket competition is the Ashes, which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia.

63. Mince pies are traditionally eaten on which day?

• Christmas
• Halloween
• Diwali
• Easter

Christmas is celebrated in a traditional way. People usually spend the day at home and eat a special meal, which often includes roast turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies.

64. Where is the Cenotaph located?

• Whitehall
• Dorset
• New Delhi
• Derbyshire

At 11.00 am there is a two-minute silence and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

65. Which TWO of the following are major horse-racing events in the UK?

• Scottish Grand National
• Royal Ascot
• Six Nations Championship
• The Open Championship

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.

66. What does the 'R' Plate stand for?

• Restricted Driver
• Repaired Damages
• Rage Drinking
• Refreshed Data

In Northern Ireland, a newly qualified driver must display an 'R' plate (for restricted driver) for one year after passing the test.

67. Which British TV shows are popular in the UK now?

• Coronation Street
• Friends
• How I met your mother
• The Big Bang theory

Popular programmes include regular soap operas such as Coronation Street and EastEnders.

68. What is the capital of Wales?

• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• London
• Belfast

Cardiff is the capital of Wales.

69. What percentage of the workforce are women?

• 50%
• 40%
• 60%
• 30%

Women in Britain today make up about half of the workforce. On average, girls leave school with better qualifications than boys. More women than men study at university.

70. Which popular yearly sporting event takes place between Oxford and Cambridge universities?

• Rugby
• Horse Racing
• Rowing
• Sailing

Rowing is also popular, both as a leisure activity and as a competitive sport. There is a popular yearly race on the Thames between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

71. When is Valentine's Day?

• 14th of February
• 16th of December
• 31st of December
• 23rd of April

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

72. Queen Elizabeth II was married to Prince Phillip

• True
• False

The statement is true