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Chapter 4 · A modern, thriving society

Life in the UK test questions on religion in the UK

The UK is historically Christian, though a large share of people now say they have no religion. The Church of England is the established church in England: the monarch is its head and its most senior appointments are made on the advice of the Prime Minister. Scotland has its own established church, and Wales and Northern Ireland have none.

Below are 7 free questions on religion in the UK, taken from handbook section 4.2. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

Practise religion in the UK

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Questions and answers on religion in the UK

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. Which church is the established church in England?

    • The Church of England — correct answer
    • The Roman Catholic Church
    • The Church of Scotland
    • The Methodist Church

    The Church of England is the established church in England, which means it is the official church of the state there. Handbook section 4.2.

  2. 2. Who is the head of the Church of England?

    • The monarch — correct answer
    • The Prime Minister
    • The Archbishop of York
    • The Speaker of the House of Commons

    The monarch is the head of the Church of England and holds the title Supreme Governor of that church. Handbook section 4.2.

  3. 3. Who is the spiritual leader of the Church of England?

    • The Archbishop of Canterbury — correct answer
    • The Moderator of the General Assembly
    • The Bishop of London
    • The Archbishop of Wales

    The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader of the Church of England and its most senior clergyman. Handbook section 4.2.

  4. 4. Which church is the national church of Scotland?

    • The Church of Scotland — correct answer
    • The Church of England
    • The Roman Catholic Church
    • The Baptist Church

    The Church of Scotland is the national church of Scotland and is a Presbyterian church. Handbook section 4.2.

  5. 5. What does the law say about religion in the UK?

    • Everyone may follow a religion or none, as they choose — correct answer
    • Everyone must belong to the established church
    • Only Christian worship is allowed in public
    • People must register their religion with the council

    Everyone in the UK has the legal right to follow the religion they choose, or to follow no religion at all. Handbook section 4.2.

  6. 6. In the 2011 census, about what share of people said they were Christian?

    • Around 59 per cent — correct answer
    • Around 25 per cent
    • Around 80 per cent
    • Around 5 per cent

    Around 59 per cent of people described themselves as Christian in the 2011 census, making it much the largest religion in the UK. Handbook section 4.2.

  7. 7. After Christianity, which religion had the most followers in the UK at the 2011 census?

    • Islam — correct answer
    • Hinduism
    • Judaism
    • Buddhism

    Islam was the next largest religion after Christianity, with about 5 per cent of people describing themselves as Muslim. Handbook section 4.2.

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