Chapter 4 – Test 1

You have 45 minutes to answer 24 multiple choice Life in the UK Test questions. You need to answer at least 18 out of 24 questions correctly to pass. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!

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List of questions in above test (quick view). Click question box to reveal correct answer.
1. Which Northern Irish portrait artist, who died in 1941, painted some portraits of the Royal Family?
A Basil Blackshaw
B Markey Robinson
C Paul Henry
D Sir John Lavery
Correct Answer: Sir John Lavery
Explanation: Sir John Lavery (1856-1941) was a very successful Northern Irish portrait painter. His work included painting the Royal Family.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and Culture - Art - Notable British artists
2. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
The Houses of Parliament are built in the medieval 'gothic' style of architecture.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: TRUE
Explanation: In the 19th century, the medieval 'gothic' style became popular again. As cities expanded, many great public buildings were built in this style. The Houses of Parliament and St Pancras Station were built at this time, as were the town halls in cities such as Manchester and Sheffield.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and culture - Architecture
3. At which of the following famous UK landmarks would you find biomes?
A Edinburgh Castle
B Giant Causeway
C Snowdonia
D The Eden Project
Correct Answer: The Eden Project
Explanation: The Eden Project is located in Cornwall, in the south west of England. Its biomes, which are like giant greenhouses, house plants from all over the world.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Places of interest - UK landmarks
4. The four shortlisted works for the Turner Prize are shown at which London venue?
A British Museum
B National Gallery
C Tate Britain
D Victoria and Albert Museum
Correct Answer: Tate Britain
Explanation: The Turner Prize was established in 1984 and celebrates contemporary art. It was named after Joseph Turner. Four works are shortlisted every year and shown at Tate Britain before the winner is announced.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and culture - Art - Notable British artists
5. People usually spend Christmas Day at home and enjoy a special meal that normally includes Christmas pudding, mince pies and which meat?
A Duck
B Guinea fowl
C Pork
D Turkey
Correct Answer: Turkey
Explanation: 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.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Customs and traditions - The main Christian festival
6. Sir Chris Hoy is a famous sportsman in which event or sport?
A Athletics
B Cycling
C Ice Skating
D Swimming
Correct Answer: Cycling
Explanation: 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.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Sport - Notable British sportsmen and women
7. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
In the UK, everybody has the right to choose their religion or choose not to practise a religion.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: TRUE
Explanation: However, everyone has the legal right to choose their religion, or to choose not to practice a religion.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Religion
8. Who wrote the piece of music, Balthazar's Feast?
A Gustav Holst
B Henry Purcell
C Sir Edward Elgar
D Sir William Walton
Correct Answer: Sir William Walton
Explanation: Sir William Walton (1902-83) wrote a wide range of music, from film scores to opera. He wrote marches for the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II but his best-known works are probably Façade, which became a ballet, and Balthazar's Feast, which is intended to be sung by a large choir.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and culture - Music
9. After Protestants, which is the biggest denomination of Christianity in the UK?
A Christian Science
B Ethiopian Orthodox
C Jehovah's Witnesses
D Roman Catholics
Correct Answer: Roman Catholics
Explanation: There are also other denominations of Christianity, the biggest of which is Roman Catholic.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Religion - Christian churches
10. Which of these statements is correct?
A The official Church of state of the UK is the Church of England.
B There is no official Church in the UK.
Correct Answer: The official Church of state of the UK is the Church of England.
Explanation: The official Church of the state is the Church of England.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Religion - Christian churches
11. The Elizabeth Tower is part of which building in London?
A Buckingham Palace
B Houses of parliament
C Mansion House
D St Pauls Cathedral
Correct Answer: Houses of parliament
Explanation: Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the Houses of Parliament in London. Many people call the clock Big Ben as well. The clock is over 150 years old and is a popular tourist attraction. The clock tower is named 'Elizabeth Tower' in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Places of interest - UK landmarks
12. St George is the patron saint of which UK country?
A England
B Northern Ireland
C Scotland
D Wales
Correct Answer: England
Explanation: 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.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Religion - Patron saints' days
13. Which is the capital city of the UK?
A Birmingham
B London
C Westminster
D Windsor
Correct Answer: London
Explanation: The capital city of the UK is London.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - The UK today - Cities of the UK)
14. Which TWO famous London buildings are built in the 19th-century 'gothic' style?
A Buckingham Palace
B St Pancras Station
C St Paul's Cathedral
D The Houses of Parliament
Correct Answer: The Houses of Parliament, St Pancras Station
Explanation: In the 19th century, the medieval 'gothic' style became popular again. As cities expanded, many great public buildings were built in this style. The Houses of Parliament and St Pancras Station were built at this time, as were the town halls in cities such as Manchester and Sheffield.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and culture - Architecture
15. Which British novelist created the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes?
A Evelyn Waugh
B Graham Greene
C Robert Louis Stevenson
D Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Correct Answer: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Explanation: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a Scottish doctor and writer. He was best known for his stories about Sherlock Holmes, who was one of the first fictional detectives.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Arts and culture - Literature - Notable authors and writers
16. Pumpkins, lit with candles, are used to celebrate which tradition?
A Bonfire Night
B Halloween
C Mayday
D Midsummer
Correct Answer: Halloween
Explanation: 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.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Customs and traditions - Other festivals and traditions
17. Is this statement TRUE or FALSE? In Wales and Northern Ireland, the established Churches are respectively the Church of Wales and the Church of Ulster.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: FALSE
Explanation: There is no established Church in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Religion - Christian churches
18. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?
A Formula 1 Grand Prix race is held in Britain every year.
A FALSE
B TRUE
Correct Answer: TRUE
Explanation: A Formula 1 Grand Prix event is held in the UK each year and a number of British Grand Prix drivers have won the Formula 1 World Championship.
Reference: A modern, thriving society - Sports - Motor sports
19. Where in London is the White Tower?
A Buckingham Palace
B Palace of Westminster
C St Paul's Cathedral
D Tower of London
Correct Answer: Tower of London
Explanation: The White Tower in the Tower of London is an example of a Norman castle keep, built on the orders of William the Conqueror
Reference: Arts and culture - Architecture
20. Which TWO of the following names may be given to the day before Lent starts?
A Ash Wednesday
B Good Friday
C Pancake Day
D Shrove Tuesday
Correct Answer: Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day
Explanation: The day before Lent starts is called Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Customs and traditions - The main Christmas festival
21. Which of these statements is true?
A Most People live in the countryside but much of Britain is covered by towns and cities.
B Most people live in towns and cities but much of Britain is still countryside
Correct Answer: Most people live in towns and cities but much of Britain is still countryside
Explanation: The UK is located in the north west of Europe. 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). Most people live in towns and cities but much of Britain is still countryside.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - The UK today - The nations of the UK
22. Who is the patron saint of Scotland?
A St Andrews
B St David
C St George
D St Patrick
Correct Answer: St Andrews
Explanation: 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.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Religion - Patron saints' days
23. Which of these statements is correct?
A 11 November commemorates soldiers who died in World War One as well as those who have died in all conflicts involving the UK since then.
B 11 November only commemorates soldiers who died in World War One.
Correct Answer: 11 November commemorates soldiers who died in World War One as well as those who have died in all conflicts involving the UK since then.
Explanation: 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.
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - Customs and traditions - Other festivals and tradition
24. What is the capital city of Scotland?
A Aberdeen
B Dundee
C Edinburgh
D Glasgow
Correct Answer: Edinburgh
Explanation: Scotland, The capital city of Scotland is Edinburgh
Reference: Chapter 4: A modern, thriving society - The UK today - Cities of the UK