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Chapter 3 · A long and illustrious history

Life in the UK test questions on the Second World War

Britain declared war on Germany in 1939 after the invasion of Poland. Hundreds of thousands of troops were rescued from the beaches at Dunkirk in 1940, the RAF held off the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, and cities were bombed night after night in the Blitz. Winston Churchill led the country, and the war in Europe ended in May 1945.

Below are 7 free questions on the Second World War, taken from handbook section 3.18. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

Practise the Second World War

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Questions and answers on the Second World War

The same 7 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.

  1. 1. On which date did Britain declare war on Germany?

    • 1 September 1939
    • 11 November 1939
    • 8 May 1940
    • 3 September 1939 — correct answer

    Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, after German forces invaded Poland. Handbook section 3.18.

  2. 2. Which country did Germany invade, leading Britain to declare war in 1939?

    • France
    • Norway
    • Belgium
    • Poland — correct answer

    Germany invaded Poland in September 1939. Britain and France had promised to defend Poland, so they declared war. Handbook section 3.18.

  3. 3. Who became Prime Minister of Britain in 1940?

    • Clement Attlee
    • Neville Chamberlain
    • Margaret Thatcher
    • Winston Churchill — correct answer

    Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940 and led Britain through most of the Second World War. Handbook section 3.18.

  4. 4. What was the Battle of Britain?

    • A sea battle in the Atlantic
    • A land battle in Kent
    • A battle fought in North Africa
    • An air battle in 1940 between the RAF and the German air force — correct answer

    The Battle of Britain was fought in the air in the summer of 1940. The RAF stopped the German air force from gaining control of British skies. Handbook section 3.18.

  5. 5. On which date did Allied forces land in Normandy on D-Day?

    • 11 November 1918
    • 6 June 1944 — correct answer
    • 8 May 1945
    • 3 September 1939

    Allied forces landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944. The landings began the campaign that freed western Europe. Handbook section 3.18.

  6. 6. In which year were British and French troops evacuated from Dunkirk?

    • 1944
    • 1939
    • 1940 — correct answer
    • 1942

    The evacuation from Dunkirk took place in 1940, after German forces swept through France. Handbook section 3.18.

  7. 7. What was the Blitz?

    • A British bombing campaign over Germany
    • The building of air raid shelters
    • The heavy bombing of British cities by German aircraft — correct answer
    • The evacuation of children to the countryside

    The Blitz was the heavy bombing of British cities by German aircraft. London, Coventry and many other cities were badly damaged. Handbook section 3.18.

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