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BritWise — Life in the UK Test Practice
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Chapter 2 · What is the UK?

Life in the UK test questions on the capital cities of the UK

London is the capital of the UK and of England, Edinburgh of Scotland, Cardiff of Wales and Belfast of Northern Ireland. Each of the three smaller capitals is home to its own parliament or assembly, which is why they come up so often alongside devolution. These questions are usually simple matching, so they are marks you should never drop.

Below are 5 free questions on the capital cities of the UK, taken from handbook section 2.3. 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 capital cities of the UK

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Questions and answers on the capital cities of the UK

The same 5 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. What is the capital city of Scotland?

    • Edinburgh — correct answer
    • Glasgow
    • Aberdeen
    • Dundee

    Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and the home of the Scottish Parliament. Glasgow is larger, but it is not the capital. Handbook section 2.3.

  2. 2. What is the capital city of the United Kingdom?

    • London — correct answer
    • Birmingham
    • Manchester
    • Edinburgh

    London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and also the capital of England. The UK Parliament sits there, at Westminster. Handbook section 2.3.

  3. 3. What is the capital city of Northern Ireland?

    • Belfast — correct answer
    • Londonderry
    • Armagh
    • Dublin

    Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which meets at Stormont. Handbook section 2.3.

  4. 4. Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. Is it also the Scottish capital?

    • No, the capital of Scotland is Edinburgh — correct answer
    • Yes, Glasgow is the capital
    • Yes, it shares the role with Edinburgh
    • No, the capital is Aberdeen

    Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, but Edinburgh is the capital and the home of the Scottish Parliament. Handbook section 2.3.

  5. 5. How many capital cities do the four countries of the UK have between them?

    • Four — correct answer
    • One
    • Two
    • Three

    Each of the four countries has its own capital: London for England, Edinburgh for Scotland, Cardiff for Wales and Belfast for Northern Ireland. Handbook section 2.3.

11 more questions on the capital cities of the UK

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