The UK today — Life in the UK Test practice questions
These practice questions cover The UK today, part of the A modern, thriving society chapter of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The correct answer and a clear explanation sit under every question.
Practice questions
What is the capital city of the UK?
- Cardiff
- Belfast
- Edinburgh
- ✓ London — Correct answer
London is the capital city of the UK. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, Cardiff is the capital of Wales, and Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.
Which city is the capital of Scotland?
- ✓ Edinburgh — Correct answer
- Glasgow
- Dundee
- Aberdeen
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen are also cities in Scotland, but they are not the capital.
In some parts of the Highlands and Islands, which language is spoken?
- French
- Irish Gaelic
- Welsh
- ✓ Gaelic — Correct answer
Gaelic is spoken in some parts of the Highlands and Islands. In Northern Ireland, some people speak Irish Gaelic.
Which currency is used in the UK?
- The dollar
- The franc
- ✓ The pound sterling — Correct answer
- The euro
The UK uses the pound sterling, with the symbol £. There are 100 pence in one pound.
What is the longest distance on the mainland of the UK?
- From London to Edinburgh
- From Birmingham to Liverpool
- From Cardiff to Belfast
- ✓ From John O’Groats to Land’s End — Correct answer
The longest distance on the mainland is from John O’Groats in the north of Scotland to Land’s End in the south-west corner of England. It is about 870 miles, or approximately 1,400 kilometres.
What kind of society is the UK today described as being?
- A mainly rural society with little change in population
- ✓ A more diverse society than it was 100 years ago — Correct answer
- A society with one main ethnic group and one main religion
- A society that has not changed much in the last century
The UK today is more diverse than it was 100 years ago, in both ethnic and religious terms. It is also described as multinational and multiracial.
Which city is the capital of Northern Ireland?
- Edinburgh
- London
- ✓ Belfast — Correct answer
- Cardiff
Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland. The other capitals are London for the UK, Edinburgh for Scotland, and Cardiff for Wales.
Which of these is a common coin denomination in the UK?
- ✓ 50p — Correct answer
- 25p
- 75p
- 40p
The UK uses 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins. Fifty pence is one of the standard coin values.