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Life in the UK Test

Chapter 2

What is the UK?

The four countries, what Great Britain does and does not include, the Crown dependencies and overseas territories, and the four capital cities.

Test yourself on this chapter

The countries of the UK

Four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland — officially the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Watch the trap: Great Britain leaves Northern Ireland out, covering only England, Scotland and Wales. Close but outside the UK are the Crown dependencies, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, each self-governing; further out sit overseas territories such as St Helena and the Falklands. Westminster governs the UK, with devolved powers held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Testable facts

  • The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • Officially the country is named the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • Great Britain refers only to England, Scotland and Wales
  • Great Britain does not include Northern Ireland
  • The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies and are not part of the UK
  • The Crown dependencies have their own governments
  • St Helena and the Falkland Islands are British overseas territories linked to the UK but not part of it
  • The UK is governed by the parliament sitting in Westminster

Capital cities and geography

Capitals to memorise: London for the UK, Edinburgh for Scotland, Cardiff for Wales, Belfast for Northern Ireland. The country sits in Europe's north west. Corner to corner on the mainland — John O'Groats to Land's End — runs roughly 870 miles, about 1,400 kilometres. Towns and cities hold most of the population; a great deal of the rest is countryside.

Testable facts

  • London is the capital city of the UK
  • Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland
  • Cardiff is the capital city of Wales
  • Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland
  • The UK is located in the north west of Europe
  • The longest distance on the mainland is from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in England
  • The distance from John O'Groats to Land's End is about 870 miles, approximately 1,400 kilometres

This is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorised by the government of United Kingdom. Practice questions are written from the official study guide and are not the real exam questions. No government publishes those.