A modern, thriving society. Practice questions
20 questions, no clock, with the answer explained as you go. Use the timed exams when you want to know if you are ready.
Free to read, always
All 20 questions and answers
Every question here was checked by hand against Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition). How we check
1.Which of these did Andrew Lloyd Webber write the music for?
- AThe Mikado
- BBilly Budd
- CThe Phantom of the Opera
- DThe Mousetrap
Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for shows including Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. (Arts, culture and leisure)
2.What is the currency of the UK?
- AThe pound and the Euro
- BThe Euro
- CThe shilling
- DThe pound sterling
The currency in the UK is the pound sterling, with the symbol £. (Money, languages and traditional food)
3.Which is the biggest of the other denominations of Christianity in the UK?
- ABaptist
- BQuaker
- CRoman Catholic
- DMethodist
The biggest of the other denominations of Christianity in the UK is Roman Catholic. (Religion in the UK)
4.Which are the two types of rugby?
- ATest and county
- BUnion and league
- CLeague and super
- DUnion and premier
Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century and has two types with different rules, union and league. (Sport)
5.In which year was the National Trust founded?
- A1984
- B1895
- C1927
- D1952
The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three volunteers. (Arts, culture and leisure)
6.What is notable about The Wimbledon Championships?
- AIt is the only Grand Slam event held outside the United States
- BIt is the only Grand Slam event to be played on clay courts
- CIt is the newest of the four Grand Slam events in the calendar
- DIt is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only Grand Slam played on grass
Oldest tennis tournament anywhere, and the sole Grand Slam on grass, is Wimbledon. (Sport)
7.In which years has the UK hosted the Olympic Games?
- A1908, 1948 and 2016
- B1912, 1948 and 2012
- C1908, 1948 and 2012
- D1948, 1966 and 2012
Three Olympic Games have been hosted here: 1908, then 1948, then 2012. (Sport)
8.How long is the Proms season?
- AA two-week season
- BA four-week season
- CA twelve-week season
- DAn eight-week season
The Proms is an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical music organised by the BBC since 1927. (Arts, culture and leisure)
9.What is haggis?
- AA snack made from flour, dried fruits and spices
- BA fried meal with bacon, eggs and sausage
- CA sheep’s stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal
- DBatter baked in the oven
Haggis is a traditional Scottish food, a sheep's stomach stuffed with offal, suet, onions and oatmeal. (Money, languages and traditional food)
10.Which of these is a UK banknote denomination?
- A£100
- B£50
- C£25
- D£2
See "Money, languages and traditional food" in the official study guide.
11.What proportion of people identified as Christian in the 2011 Census?
- A84%
- B59%
- C4.8%
- D25%
In the 2011 Census 59% of people identified themselves as Christian. (Religion in the UK)
12.Which flower is associated with Scotland?
- AThe shamrock
- BThe rose
- CThe thistle
- DThe daffodil
The flower associated with Scotland is the thistle. (Patron saints)
13.Which TWO are Protestant Christian groups in the UK?
Choose two
- ASikhs
- BMethodists
- CRoman Catholics
- DBaptists
Quakers, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists are other Protestant Christian groups here. (Religion in the UK)
14.What are the Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London also known as?
- AGuardsmen
- BBeefeaters
- CWardens
- DSentinels
Tours of the Tower of London are given by the Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters. (Landmarks and places of interest)
15.Which is the highest mountain in Wales?
- ASnowdon
- BScafell Pike
- CCadair Idris
- DBen Nevis
Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales. (Landmarks and places of interest)
16.On what date is St David’s Day?
- A23 April
- B30 November
- C1 March
- D17 March
St David's Day, for Wales, is 1 March. (Patron saints)
17.What is the biggest stretch of water in the Lake District?
- AWindermere
- BWastwater
- CLoch Lomond
- DConiston Water
The biggest stretch of water in the Lake District is Windermere. (Landmarks and places of interest)
18.Who wrote The Mousetrap?
- AAndrew Lloyd Webber
- BDame Agatha Christie
- CHarold Pinter
- DSir Laurence Olivier
Agatha Christie's murder-mystery The Mousetrap has held the West End since 1952. (Arts, culture and leisure)
19.What does Eid ul Adha remember?
- AThe birth of the prophet
- BThat the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son
- CThe end of Ramadan
- DThe Jews’ struggle for religious freedom
Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son at God's command is what Eid ul Adha recalls. (Other religious festivals)
20.What is a Yorkshire pudding?
- AA type of sausage
- BBatter that is baked in the oven
- CA sweet dessert served with cream
- DA cake made with dried fruit
Yorkshire puddings are batter that is baked in the oven. (Money, languages and traditional food)