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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 countries of the UK

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is a smaller idea: it means England, Scotland and Wales only, and leaves Northern Ireland out. The words Britain, the UK and the British Isles are used loosely in everyday speech, and the test rewards knowing exactly which is which.

Below are 6 free questions on the countries of the UK, taken from handbook section 2.1. 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 countries of the UK

Questions
6
Time limit
No limit
Pass mark
5 of 6 (75%)
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Questions and answers on the countries of the UK

The same 6 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 four countries make up the United Kingdom?

    • England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — correct answer
    • England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
    • England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
    • England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands

    The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is a separate country. Handbook section 2.1.

  2. 2. Is Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom?

    • Yes, it is one of the four countries of the UK — correct answer
    • No, it is a Crown dependency
    • No, it is a British overseas territory
    • No, it is part of the Republic of Ireland

    Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the UK, alongside England, Scotland and Wales. Handbook section 2.1.

  3. 3. What is the status of the Republic of Ireland?

    • It is an independent country and is not part of the UK — correct answer
    • It is a country of the UK
    • It is a Crown dependency of the UK
    • It is a British overseas territory

    The Republic of Ireland is an independent country with its own government. Only Northern Ireland, in the north-east of the island of Ireland, is part of the UK. Handbook section 2.1.

  4. 4. Which of these is NOT one of the four countries of the UK?

    • The Isle of Man — correct answer
    • Wales
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland

    The four countries of the UK are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Isle of Man is a Crown dependency and is not part of the UK. Handbook section 2.1.

  5. 5. Which countries does the term 'Great Britain' refer to?

    • England, Scotland and Wales — correct answer
    • England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
    • England and Wales only
    • All four countries of the UK

    Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales. Adding Northern Ireland gives you the United Kingdom. Handbook section 2.1.

  6. 6. Which three countries share the island of Great Britain?

    • England, Scotland and Wales — correct answer
    • England, Wales and Northern Ireland
    • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
    • England, Scotland and Northern Ireland

    The island of Great Britain holds England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland sits on the neighbouring island of Ireland. Handbook section 2.1.

14 more questions on the countries of the UK

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