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Life in the UK Test questions and answers

Every question in the bank, with the answer and an explanation. Written from Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). Browsing is free and needs no account. But you will learn far more by taking a timed test than by reading answers.

1. 1.Which four countries make up the UK?

   • AEngland, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
   • BEngland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
   • CEngland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands
   • DEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

   The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (The countries of the UK)

2. 2.What is the official name of the country?

   • AThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
   • BThe Commonwealth of Great Britain
   • CThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
   • DThe British Isles

   Officially the country is named the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (The countries of the UK)

3. 3.Which countries does ‘Great Britain’ refer to?

   • AEngland, Scotland and Wales
   • BThe UK and the Crown dependencies
   • CEngland and Wales only
   • DEngland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

   Great Britain refers only to England, Scotland and Wales. (The countries of the UK)

4. 4.What is the status of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man?

   • AThey are counties of England
   • BThey are British overseas territories
   • CThey are part of Great Britain
   • DThey are Crown dependencies with their own governments

   The Crown dependencies have their own governments. (The countries of the UK)

5. 5.Which of these is a British overseas territory?

   • AThe Republic of Ireland
   • BThe Isle of Man
   • CJersey
   • DThe Falkland Islands

   St Helena and the Falkland Islands are British overseas territories linked to the UK but not part of it. (The countries of the UK)

6. 6.Where does the parliament that governs the UK sit?

   • AWestminster
   • BStormont
   • CHolyrood
   • DCardiff Bay

   The UK is governed by the parliament sitting in Westminster. (The countries of the UK)

7. 7.Which TWO are Crown dependencies?

   Choose two

   • AThe Channel Islands
   • BSt Helena
   • CThe Isle of Man
   • DThe Falkland Islands

   The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown dependencies and are not part of the UK. (The countries of the UK)

8. 8.What is the capital city of the UK?

   • ABelfast
   • BCardiff
   • CLondon
   • DEdinburgh

   London is the capital city of the UK. (Capital cities and geography)

9. 9.What is the capital city of Scotland?

   • AGlasgow
   • BEdinburgh
   • CDundee
   • DAberdeen

   Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. (Capital cities and geography)

10. 10.What is the capital city of Wales?

    • ANewport
    • BBangor
    • CSwansea
    • DCardiff

    Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. (Capital cities and geography)

11. 11.What is the capital city of Northern Ireland?

    • ADublin
    • BArmagh
    • CBelfast
    • DLondonderry

    Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. (Capital cities and geography)

12. 12.Where in Europe is the UK located?

    • AIn the south east
    • BIn the north west
    • CIn the far north
    • DIn central Europe

    The UK is located in the north west of Europe. (Capital cities and geography)

13. 13.Between which two points is the longest distance on the UK mainland?

    • ALand’s End and Dover
    • BJohn O’Groats and Cardiff
    • CJohn O’Groats and Land’s End
    • DBelfast and London

    The longest distance on the mainland is from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in England. (Capital cities and geography)

14. 14.Approximately how long is that distance?

    • AAbout 870 miles
    • BAbout 400 miles
    • CAbout 1,870 miles
    • DAbout 250 miles

    The distance from John O'Groats to Land's End is about 870 miles, approximately 1,400 kilometres. (Capital cities and geography)