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Chapter 4 · A modern, thriving society

Life in the UK test questions on notable Britons

The handbook names people who changed the country. Isambard Kingdom Brunel built bridges, tunnels and ships; Florence Nightingale founded modern nursing; Emmeline Pankhurst campaigned for votes for women; and Sir Winston Churchill led Britain through the Second World War. Questions ask you to match the person to the achievement, so learn them as pairs.

Below are 7 free questions on notable Britons, taken from handbook section 4.17. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

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Questions and answers on notable Britons

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. For which sport is the Paralympian Ellie Simmonds famous?

    • Swimming — correct answer
    • Wheelchair racing
    • Cycling
    • Rowing

    Ellie Simmonds is a swimmer who won Paralympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 and has set several world records. Handbook section 4.17.

  2. 2. William Blake is remembered as which kind of artist?

    • A poet — correct answer
    • A film director
    • A footballer
    • An architect

    William Blake is remembered as one of Britain's great poets, and he illustrated much of his own writing. Handbook section 4.17.

  3. 3. For what is John Keats remembered?

    • His poetry — correct answer
    • His paintings
    • His inventions
    • His work in Parliament

    John Keats is remembered for his poetry, written in the early nineteenth century when he died at only 25. Handbook section 4.17.

  4. 4. Which poet is remembered above all for writing about the First World War?

    • Wilfred Owen — correct answer
    • William Wordsworth
    • Robert Burns
    • Alfred Lord Tennyson

    Wilfred Owen wrote about the horror of the trenches during the First World War, in which he was killed. Handbook section 4.17.

  5. 5. Which prize did the contemporary artist Damien Hirst win?

    • The Turner Prize — correct answer
    • The Booker Prize
    • The Mercury Music Prize
    • A Laurence Olivier Award

    Damien Hirst won the Turner Prize, the award that celebrates contemporary art in Britain. Handbook section 4.17.

  6. 6. Which two of these people are remembered for their work in science or medicine?

    • Sir Alexander Fleming — correct answer
    • Francis Crick — correct answer
    • John Constable
    • Benjamin Britten

    Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin and Francis Crick helped work out the structure of DNA; Constable painted and Britten composed. Handbook section 4.17.

  7. 7. Which two of these people are matched with the right field of work?

    • Henry Moore, sculptor — correct answer
    • Sir Christopher Wren, architect — correct answer
    • Robert Burns, painter
    • Charlie Chaplin, composer

    Henry Moore was a sculptor and Sir Christopher Wren an architect, while Burns was a poet and Chaplin an actor. Handbook section 4.17.

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