A modern, thriving society (Part 2)

1. Who wrote music for George VI and Queen Elizabeth II?

• Henry Purcell
• George Frederick Handel
• Sir Edward Elgar
• Sir William Walton

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 Facade, which became a ballet, and Balthazar's Feast, which is intended to be sung by a large choir.

2. Which TWO of the athletes are paralympians?

• Ellie Simmonds
• David Weir
• Jessica Ennis
• Andy Murray

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. David Weir (1979-) is a Paralympian who uses a wheelchair and has won six gold medals over two Paralympic Games. He has also won the London Marathon six times.

3. When was the Giant's Causeway formed?

• 50 million years ago
• 40 million years ago
• 70 million years ago
• 60 million years ago

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.

4. How many ski centres are there in Scotland?

• 1
• 2
• 5
• 13

There are five ski centres in Scotland, as well as Europe's longest dry ski slope near Edinburgh.

5. Who ran 1 mile in 4 minutes in 1954?

• Sir Roger Bannister
• Sir Jackie Stewart
• Sir Steve Redgrave
• Sir Chris Hoy

Sir Roger Bannister (1929-) was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes, in 1954.

6. Which operas were written by Gilbert and Sullivan?

• HMS Pinafore and The Mikado
• Tim Rice and Evita
• Jesus Christ Superstar
• The Phantom of the Opera

Gilbert and Sullivan wrote comic operas, often making fun of popular culture and politics. These operas include HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.

7. When is Vaisakhi celebrated?

• In April
• In May
• In March
• In June

Vaisakhi (also spelled Baisakhi) is a Sikh festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa. It is celebrated on 14 April each year with parades, dancing and singing.

8. In the 2021 England and Wales census, what percentage of people identified themselves as Christian?

• 46%
• 91%
• 63%
• 34%

The 2021 Census results released so far show that 46% of people in England and Wales (from a total sampled 60 million) identified themselves as Christian. Much smaller proportions identified themselves as Hindu (2%), Sikh (1%), Jewish or Buddhist (both around 0.5%), 37% stated not to follow any religion and 0.5% of people followed another religion

9. Who captained the English cricket team and holds a number of records, both for batting and bowling?

• Ian Botham
• Shane Warne
• Brian Lara
• Wasim Akram

Sir Ian Botham (1955-) captained the English cricket team and holds a number of English Test cricket records, both for batting and for bowling.

10. Who designed the Dumfries House in Scotland?

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

In the 18th century, simpler designs became popular. The Scottish architect Robert Adam influenced the development of architecture in the UK, Europe and America. He designed the inside decoration as well as the building itself in great houses such as Dumfries House in Scotland. His ideas influenced architects in cities such as Bath, where the Royal Crescent was built.

11. Where is the Millennium Stadium located?

• Cardiff
• London
• Manchester
• Edinburgh

Sporting events take place at major stadiums such as Wembley Stadium in London and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

12. Who was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2000?

• Mary Peters
• Jayne Torvill
• Dame Kelly Holmes
• Dame Ellen MacArthur

Born in Manchester, Mary Peters moved to Northern Ireland as a child. She was a talented athlete who won an Olympic gold medal in the pentathlon in 1972. After this, she raised money for local athletics and became the team manager for the women's British Olympic team. She continues to promote sport and tourism in Northern Ireland and was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2000 in recognition of her work.

13. What type of painter was Joseph Turner?

• Landscape
• Portrait
• Stained Glass
• Abstract Sculpture

Joseph Turner (1775-1851) was an influential landscape painter in a modern style. He is considered the artist who raised the profile of landscape painting.

14. Which TWO British Actors have recently won Oscars?

• Dame Kelly Holmes
• Simon Cowell
• Dame Judi Dench
• Kate Winslet

British actors continue to be popular and continue to win awards throughout the world. Recent British actors to have won Oscars include Colin Firth, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dame Judi Dench, Kate Winslet and Tilda Swinton.

15. Hadrian's Wall is a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site

• True
• False

Parts of Hadrian's Wall, including the forts of Housesteads and Vindolanda, can still be seen. It is a popular area for walkers and is a UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site.

16. Who captained the English football team in 1966?

• Sir Chris Hoy
• Andy Murray
• Bobby Moore
• Jackie Stewart

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

17. Who was Thomas Gainsborough?

• Painted pictures on religious or literary themes in bright colours
• Was a portrait painter who often painted people in country or garden scenery
• Was a landscape painter in modern style
• Is best known for his large bronze abstract sculptures

Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) was a portrait painter who often painted people in country or garden scenery.

18. Which of these is not a music festival?

• The Fringe
• V festival
• Glastonbury
• Creamfields

The Edinburgh Festival takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, every summer. The Fringe (One of the festivals) is a showcase of mainly theatre and comedy performances.

19. What is the longest distance on the mainland in the UK?

• 870 miles
• 950 miles
• 1400 miles
• 1240 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).

20. Which of these flowers is closely associated with Remembrance Day?

• Lily
• Daffodil
• Rose
• Poppy

The poppy has become the symbol of Remembrance worn during the weeks leading to Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

21. When is the Bonfire Night celebrated?

• 05-Nov
• 28-Nov
• 28-Oct
• 31-Oct

Bonfire Night, 5 November, is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in special displays. The origin of this celebration was an event in 1605, when a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb in the Houses of Parliament.

22. What was the population of the UK in 1901?

• 40 million
• 50 million
• 60 million
• 27 million

The population of the UK was 40 million in 1901.

23. EastEnders and Coronation Street are popular soap operas.

• True
• False

British television shows a wide variety of programmes. Popular programmes include regular soap operas such as Coronation Street and EastEnders.

24. The Man Booker Prize is awarded in which area?

• Literature
• Movies
• Theatre
• Music

The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is awarded annually for the best fiction novel written by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe. It has been awarded since 1968. Past winners include Ian McEwan, Hilary Mantel and Julian Barnes.

25. Which TWO are located in Scotland?

• Loch Lomond
• Edinburgh Castle
• The Eden Project
• The Giant's Causeway

Loch Lomond and the Edinburgh Castle are located in Scotland.

26. Queen Elizabeth I was a devout Catholic and persecuted Protestants

• True
• False

Mary was a devout Catholic and persecuted Protestants (for this reason, she became known as 'Bloody Mary'). Mary also died after a short reign and the next monarch was her half-sister, Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

27. Select TWO famous Paralympians

• Dame Ellen MacArthur
• Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
• Jessica Ennis
• Ellie Simmonds

Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson (1969-) is an athlete who uses a wheelchair and won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 gold medals, in races over five Paralympic Games. She won the London Marathon six times and broke a total of 30 world records. 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.

28. Who was Henry Purcell?

• A musician
• A poet
• An actor
• A gardener

Henry Purcell (1659-95) was the organist at Westminster Abbey. He wrote church music and operas.

29. Which famous poet's work was inspired by Nature?

• Charles Dicken
• Sir Roger Bannister
• William Wordsworth
• Damon Hill

Other poets, including William Wordsworth, were inspired by nature. Sir Walter Scott wrote poems inspired by Scotland and the traditional stories and songs from the area on the borders of Scotland and England. He also wrote novels, many of which were set in Scotland.

30. What does an aged population have an impact on?

• The cost of Health Care
• The cost of Bus Fares
• The cost of Insurance
• The price of food

People in the UK are living longer than ever before. This is due to improved living standards and better health care. There are now a record number of people aged 85 and over. This has an impact on the cost of pensions and health care.

31. The King Charles III's eldest son, Prince William, is also known as?

• The Prince of Wales
• The Duke of Edinburgh
• The King of Ireland
• Prince Harry

Queen Elizabeth II reigned since her father's death in 1952, (she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee i.e. 60 years as queen) until she passed away in 2022. She was married to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Her eldest son, King Charles III (previously known as the Prince of Wales) became the sovereign monarch in 2022. His eldest son, heir to the throne, Prince William is the new Prince of Wales.

32. The Patron Saints' days are NOT public holidays in which TWO countries?

• England
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland
• Wales

Only Scotland and Northern Ireland have their Patron Saint's day as an official holiday. While the Patron Saints' days are no longer public holidays in England and Wales, they are still celebrated. Parades and small festivals are held all over the two countries.

33. What percentage of the population has a parent or a grandparent born outside of the UK due to post-war immigration?

• 10%
• 12%
• 14%
• 16%

Post-war immigration means that nearly 10% of the population has a parent or grandparent born outside the UK.

34. Who won gold medals for ice dancing at the Olympic Games in 1984?

• Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean
• Bobby Moore and Dame Kelly Holmes
• Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir
• Peggy Fleming and Sasha Colin

Jayne Torvill (1957-) and Christopher Dean (1958-) won gold medals for ice dancing at the Olympic Games in 1984 and in four consecutive world championships.

35. The London Eye is situated on the southern bank of which river?

• Tyburn
• Walbrook
• Thames
• Clyde

The London Eye is situated on the southern bank of the River Thames and is a Ferris wheel that is 443 feet (135 metres) tall. It was originally built as part of the UK's celebration of the new millennium and continues to be an important part of New Year celebrations.

36. Where is Snowdonia located?

• Wales
• West England
• North England
• Scotland

Snowdonia is a national park in North Wales. It covers an area of 838 square miles (2,170 square kilometres). Its most well-known landmark is Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales.

37. It is illegal for any person under the age of 18 to buy a Lottery ticket

• True
• False

There is a National Lottery for which draws are made every week. You can enter by buying a ticket or a scratch card. People under 18 (Changed in 2021 from 16 to 18) are not allowed to participate in the National Lottery.

38. What is the Church of England known as in Scotland and the US?

• The Episcopal Church
• The Anglican Church
• The State Church
• The Catholic Church

The official Church of the state is the Church of England is called the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the United States. It is a Protestant Church.

39. Until what time do people play jokes on one another on April Fool's Day?

• Until 9 PM
• Until 11 AM
• Until Midday
• All day

April Fool's Day, 1 April, is a day when people play jokes on each other until midday. The television and newspapers often have stories that are April Fool jokes.

40. What percentage of the UK population lives in England?

• 71%
• 62%
• 95%
• 84%

England more or less consistently makes up 84% of the total population, Wales around 5%, Scotland just over 8% and Northern Ireland less than 3%.

41. What was the population of the UK in 1801?

• 4 million
• 8 million
• 20 million
• 5 million

The population of the UK was just 8 million in 1801.

42. What percentage of the workforce are women?

• 30%
• 40%
• 50%
• 60%

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.

43. How long is Hanukkah celebrated for?

• 8 days
• 7 days
• 10 days
• 9 days

Hanukkah is in November or December and is celebrated for eight days. It is to remember the Jews' struggle for religious freedom. On each day of the festival a candle is lit on a stand of eight candles (called a menorah) to remember the story of the festival, where oil that should have lasted only a day did so for eight.

44. What character did Charlie Chaplin play?

• Detective
• Tramp
• Hero
• Comedian

Sir Charles (Charlie) Chaplin became famous in silent movies for his tramp character and was one of many British actors to make a career in Hollywood.

45. What can 'Carry on' be associated with?

• Art
• Films
• Music
• Novels

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

46. As per 2021 census, what is the percentage of Muslims living in England and Wales?

• 1%
• 6%
• 11%
• 15%

Islam is the second largest religion in the United Kingdom. The 2021 Census results released so far show a population of 3,868,133 (6.5%) in England and Wales (from a total sampled 60 million). 46% of people identified themselves as Christian. Much smaller proportions identified themselves as 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.

47. What is the reason for more ageing population? Choose Two Answers

• Better Health Care
• Better Living Standards
• Improved Education
• Cheaper Food

People in the UK are living longer than ever before. This is due to improved living standards and better health care. There are now a record number of people aged 85 and over. This has an impact on the cost of pensions and health care.

48. Who should you contact to get your National Insurance number?

• DWP (Department for Work and Pensions)
• Local government
• The Home secretary
• Your local school

You will need to telephone the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to arrange to get a National Insurance number.

49. Which pair won gold medals for Ice dancing at the Olympic Games in 1984 and in four consecutive world championships?

• Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean
• Jennifer Nicks and John Nicks
• Jean Westwood and Lawrence Demmy
• Doreen Denny and Courtney Jones

Jayne Torvill (1957-) and Christopher Dean (1958-) won gold medals for ice dancing at the Olympic Games in 1984 and in four consecutive world championships.

50. When is Boxing Day?

• The day after Christmas Day
• The day before Christmas Day
• The day before Easter
• The day after Easter

Boxing Day (26th of December) is the day after Christmas Day (25th of December) and is a public holiday.

51. Which of these gardens is located in Wales?

• Bodnant Garden
• Hidcote
• Mount Stewart
• Sissinghurst

Bodnant Garden is in Wales.

52. Who wrote 'The Lord of the Rings'?

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

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien was voted the country's best-loved novel in 2003.

53. What do many theatres in the UK produce at Christmas time?

• A pantomime
• A music event
• An opera
• A stand up comedy show

One British tradition is the pantomime. Many theatres produce a pantomime at Christmas time. They are based on fairy stories and are light-hearted plays with music and comedy, enjoyed by family audiences. One of the traditional characters is the Dame, a woman played by a man.

54. What celebration takes place on the 25th of December each year?

• Boxing Day
• Hogmanay
• Father's Day
• Christmas Day

Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday. Many Christians go to church on Christmas Eve (24 December) or on Christmas Day itself.

55. What is the only major golf tournament held outside of the US?

• The Open Championship
• The Wimbledon Championship
• Royal Ascot
• The English Premier League

The Open Championship is the only 'Major' golf tournament held outside the United States. It is hosted by a different golf course every year.

56. What is the capital of Scotland?

• Edinburgh
• London
• Cardiff
• Belfast

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland.

57. Which of these is a famous classical music event in the UK?

• The Proms
• T in the Park
• Creamfields
• Glastonbury Festival

The Proms is an eight-week summer season of classical music (orchestral or solo instrumental and nowadays may feature non-classical music) that takes place in various venues, including the Royal Albert Hall in London.

58. Which TWO are notable British artists?

• Joseph Turner
• John Constable
• Rembrandt Peale
• Matthew Harris Jouett

Joseph Turner (1775-1851) was an influential landscape painter in a modern style. He is considered the artist who raised the profile of landscape painting. John Constable (1776-1837) was a landscape painter most famous for his works of Dedham Vale on the Suffolk, Essex border in the east of England.

59. What is Diwali?

• Festival of Lights
• Festival of Sun
• Festival of White
• Festival of Happiness

Diwali normally falls in October or November and lasts for five days. It is often called the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and the gaining of knowledge. There are different stories about how the festival came about. There is a famous celebration of Diwali in Leicester.

60. Which event is celebrated on the 5th of November each year?

• The end of the Second World War
• A plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605
• The defeat of the Spanish Armada
• The end of the First World War

Bonfire Night, 5 November, is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in special displays. The origin of this celebration was an event in 1605, when a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb in the Houses of Parliament.

61. Who tells visitors about the history of the Tower of London?

• Beefeaters
• Instructors
• History graduates
• London Guides

The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror after he became king in 1066. Tours are given by the Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, who tell visitors about the building's history. People can also see the Crown Jewels there.

62. What is the capital of Wales?

• Swansea
• Belfast
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales

63. Who wrote the popular operas HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and the Mikado?

• Tim Rice
• Andrew Webber
• Gilbert and Sullivan
• Laurence Olivier

In the 19th century, Gilbert and Sullivan wrote comic operas, often making fun of popular culture and politics. These operas include HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado.

64. When did the first professional football clubs form?

• 19th century
• 18th century
• 17th century
• 20th century

Football is the UK's most popular sport. It has a long history in the UK and the first professional football clubs were formed in the late 19th century.

65. How old do you have to be to buy a lottery ticket or a scratch card?

• 16
• 15
• 17
• 18

People under 18 (Changed in 2021) are not allowed to participate in the National Lottery. This includes buying Scratch Cards.

66. Where is Tate Britain and Tate Modern located?

• London
• Edinburgh
• Cardiff
• Manchester

Works by British and international artists are displayed in galleries across the UK. Some of the most well-known galleries are The National Gallery, Tate Britain and Tate Modern in London, the National Museum in Cardiff, and the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh.

67. Beefeaters, who tell visitors about the building's history are associated with which of these?

• The Tower of London
• Big Ben
• Edinburgh Castle
• Unesco

The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror after he became king in 1066. Tours are given by the Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, who tell visitors about the building's history. People can also see the Crown Jewels there.

68. St George is the national saint of Northern Ireland

• True
• False

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.

69. The UK has a declining elderly population

• True
• False

People in the UK are living longer than ever before. This is due to improved living standards and better health care. There are now a record number of people aged 85 and over. This has an impact on the cost of pensions and health care.

70. Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ

• True
• False

Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday. Many Christians go to church on Christmas Eve (24 December) or on Christmas Day itself.

71. What is the 'Grand National'?

• A tennis championship
• A football cup competition
• A horse race
• A motor race

The Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr are well known horse racing events.

72. Which play was written by Shakespeare?

• Hamlet
• Come, Walk with me
• Before the Dawn
• Freedom of Love

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He was a playwright and actor and wrote many poems and plays. His most famous plays include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. Lines from his plays and poems which are often still quoted include: Once more unto the breach (Henry V); To be or not to be (Hamlet); A rose by any other name (Romeo and Juliet); All the world's a stage (As You Like It); The darling buds of May (Sonnet 18, Shall I Compare Thee To a Summer's Day).