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The UK and its nations: Life in the UK Test study guide

A short summary of what to know, then 28 free practice questions with answers.

The four nations, their capitals and patron saints, the flag, the currency and the places that are linked to the UK but not part of it.

What to know

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 'Great Britain' is not another name for the UK: it is the island that holds England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland shares the island of Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, which is a separate country.

The capitals are London (England, and the UK as a whole), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland). Each nation has a patron saint with its own day: St George for England (23 April), St Andrew for Scotland (30 November), St David for Wales (1 March) and St Patrick for Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland (17 March).

The Union Flag, often called the Union Jack, combines the crosses linked to St George, St Andrew and St Patrick. Wales is not represented on it; the Welsh flag has its own red dragon. The national anthem is 'God Save the King' while a king reigns. The currency is the pound sterling, divided into 100 pence.

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey) are Crown Dependencies. They have their own governments and are not part of the UK. Welsh, or Cymraeg, has official status in Wales and is used alongside English.

Key facts to remember

  • UK = England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • Great Britain = England, Scotland and Wales.
  • Capitals: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast.
  • Saints' days: St David 1 March, St Patrick 17 March, St George 23 April, St Andrew 30 November.
  • The Union Flag combines three crosses; the Welsh dragon isn't on it.
  • The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey are Crown Dependencies, not part of the UK.
  • One pound sterling = 100 pence.

Sources we checked

This summary is our own and doesn’t replace the official handbook. We checked it against The Royal Family: the Union Flag, House of Commons Library: the Crown Dependencies and Welsh Government: the Welsh language. Read the matching part of the handbook, then test yourself below. Next topic: Early history and constitutional change.

Written by ChowChow Labs and checked against public sources. Last reviewed 1 Nov 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

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  1. Question 1 · The UK and its nations

    Which TWO nations are on the island of Great Britain?

    Choose TWO answers

    1. A. Scotland
    2. B. Northern Ireland
    3. C. The Republic of Ireland
    4. D. Wales
    Show answer

    Answers: A. Scotland; D. Wales

    Wales and Scotland are on Great Britain, alongside England. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are on the island of Ireland.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  2. Question 2 · The UK and its nations

    A visitor wants to go to the capital of both England and the United Kingdom. Which city fits?

    1. A. Manchester
    2. B. Liverpool
    3. C. London
    4. D. Birmingham
    Show answer

    Answer: C. London

    London is the capital of England and of the United Kingdom.Source: Capital cities of the UK

    Report a problem with this question

  3. Question 3 · The UK and its nations

    A display lists England, Scotland and Wales as Great Britain. Which nation must be added to describe the UK?

    1. A. Iceland
    2. B. The Republic of Ireland
    3. C. Northern Ireland
    4. D. France
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Northern Ireland

    The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the island containing the first three.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  4. Question 4 · The UK and its nations

    A learner searches for a Welsh dragon in the Union Flag. Which statement explains why it cannot be found?

    1. A. The dragon is the only design on the Union Flag
    2. B. The dragon replaces Scotland’s cross
    3. C. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag
    4. D. The Union Flag is the same as the Welsh national flag
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag

    The Union Flag combines crosses rather than the Welsh dragon. Wales has its own distinctive national flag.Source: The Union Flag

    Report a problem with this question

  5. Question 5 · The UK and its nations

    Choose TWO UK nations that share the island of Great Britain.

    Choose TWO answers

    1. A. Scotland
    2. B. The Republic of Ireland
    3. C. Northern Ireland
    4. D. Wales
    Show answer

    Answers: A. Scotland; D. Wales

    Wales and Scotland are on Great Britain, alongside England. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are on the island of Ireland.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  6. Question 6 · The UK and its nations

    A learner confuses Great Britain with the United Kingdom. Which additional nation is part of the UK?

    1. A. France
    2. B. Iceland
    3. C. Northern Ireland
    4. D. The Republic of Ireland
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Northern Ireland

    The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the island containing the first three.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  1. Question 7 · The UK and its nations

    Which city should replace Manchester in a list naming England’s capital?

    1. A. Liverpool
    2. B. Manchester
    3. C. London
    4. D. Birmingham
    Show answer

    Answer: C. London

    London is the capital of England and of the United Kingdom.Source: Capital cities of the UK

    Report a problem with this question

  2. Question 8 · The UK and its nations

    Which statement correctly distinguishes Wales’s national flag from the Union Flag?

    1. A. The Union Flag is the same as the Welsh national flag
    2. B. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag
    3. C. The dragon replaces Scotland’s cross
    4. D. The dragon is the only design on the Union Flag
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag

    The Union Flag combines crosses rather than the Welsh dragon. Wales has its own distinctive national flag.Source: The Union Flag

    Report a problem with this question

  3. Question 9 · The UK and its nations

    A poster says that the red dragon forms part of the Union Flag. What correction is needed?

    1. A. The dragon replaces Scotland’s cross
    2. B. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag
    3. C. The Union Flag is the same as the Welsh national flag
    4. D. The dragon is the only design on the Union Flag
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag

    The Union Flag combines crosses rather than the Welsh dragon. Wales has its own distinctive national flag.Source: The Union Flag

    Report a problem with this question

  4. Question 10 · The UK and its nations

    Which nation belongs to the United Kingdom but is not on the island of Great Britain?

    1. A. France
    2. B. Northern Ireland
    3. C. The Republic of Ireland
    4. D. Iceland
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Northern Ireland

    The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the island containing the first three.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  5. Question 11 · The UK and its nations

    Which TWO entries belong on a map of Great Britain itself?

    Choose TWO answers

    1. A. Scotland
    2. B. Wales
    3. C. Northern Ireland
    4. D. The Republic of Ireland
    Show answer

    Answers: A. Scotland; B. Wales

    Wales and Scotland are on Great Britain, alongside England. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are on the island of Ireland.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  6. Question 12 · The UK and its nations

    A study card pairs the UK’s national government at Westminster with which capital city?

    1. A. Birmingham
    2. B. Manchester
    3. C. London
    4. D. Liverpool
    Show answer

    Answer: C. London

    London is the capital of England and of the United Kingdom.Source: Capital cities of the UK

    Report a problem with this question

  1. Question 13 · The UK and its nations

    Which description correctly explains the relationship between the Welsh dragon and the UK flag?

    1. A. The dragon is the only design on the Union Flag
    2. B. The Union Flag is the same as the Welsh national flag
    3. C. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag
    4. D. The dragon replaces Scotland’s cross
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Welsh dragon is not incorporated in the Union Flag

    The Union Flag combines crosses rather than the Welsh dragon. Wales has its own distinctive national flag.Source: The Union Flag

    Report a problem with this question

  2. Question 14 · The UK and its nations

    Which city is the capital of England, rather than a regional English city?

    1. A. Manchester
    2. B. London
    3. C. Liverpool
    4. D. Birmingham
    Show answer

    Answer: B. London

    London is the capital of England and of the United Kingdom.Source: Capital cities of the UK

    Report a problem with this question

  3. Question 15 · The UK and its nations

    Select TWO nations situated on Great Britain rather than on the island of Ireland.

    Choose TWO answers

    1. A. Wales
    2. B. Scotland
    3. C. The Republic of Ireland
    4. D. Northern Ireland
    Show answer

    Answers: A. Wales; B. Scotland

    Wales and Scotland are on Great Britain, alongside England. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are on the island of Ireland.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  4. Question 16 · The UK and its nations

    A map of the UK includes the three nations of Great Britain and which other nation?

    1. A. Iceland
    2. B. The Republic of Ireland
    3. C. France
    4. D. Northern Ireland
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Northern Ireland

    The United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the island containing the first three.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  5. Question 17 · The UK and its nations

    A map marks Dublin inside the United Kingdom. What correction is needed?

    1. A. Both are part of Wales
    2. B. Northern Ireland is in the UK; the Republic of Ireland is a separate state
    3. C. Both are English counties
    4. D. The Republic of Ireland is a UK nation and Northern Ireland is not
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Northern Ireland is in the UK; the Republic of Ireland is a separate state

    Northern Ireland is part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland is a separate sovereign state.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  6. Question 18 · The UK and its nations

    A visitor exchanges money for the currency used in the UK. Which currency should they request?

    1. A. Swiss franc
    2. B. Euro
    3. C. Pound sterling
    4. D. Canadian dollar
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pound sterling

    The UK uses pound sterling. One pound is divided into 100 pence.Source: British money and currency

    Report a problem with this question

  7. Question 19 · The UK and its nations

    A travel plan covers England, Scotland and Wales. Which geographical name covers these three together?

    1. A. The Channel Islands
    2. B. The Republic of Ireland
    3. C. The Isle of Man
    4. D. Great Britain
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Great Britain

    Great Britain contains England, Scotland and Wales. It is not a synonym for the whole United Kingdom.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  8. Question 20 · The UK and its nations

    Which TWO capital-city pairings are correct?

    Choose TWO answers

    1. A. Wales — Cardiff
    2. B. Scotland — Edinburgh
    3. C. England — Glasgow
    4. D. Northern Ireland — Dublin
    Show answer

    Answers: A. Wales — Cardiff; B. Scotland — Edinburgh

    Cardiff is the Welsh capital and Edinburgh the Scottish capital. Northern Ireland’s capital is Belfast; England’s is London.Source: Capital cities of the UK

    Report a problem with this question

  9. Question 21 · The UK and its nations

    A learner says every part of the island of Ireland belongs to the UK. Which statement corrects this?

    1. A. Northern Ireland is in the UK; the Republic of Ireland is a separate state
    2. B. The Republic of Ireland is a UK nation and Northern Ireland is not
    3. C. Both are part of Wales
    4. D. Both are English counties
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Northern Ireland is in the UK; the Republic of Ireland is a separate state

    Northern Ireland is part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland is a separate sovereign state.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  10. Question 22 · The UK and its nations

    Which name identifies the island shared by England, Wales and Scotland?

    1. A. The Channel Islands
    2. B. Great Britain
    3. C. The Republic of Ireland
    4. D. The Isle of Man
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Great Britain

    Great Britain contains England, Scotland and Wales. It is not a synonym for the whole United Kingdom.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  11. Question 23 · The UK and its nations

    A shop price is written as £12. Which currency does the symbol identify?

    1. A. Pound sterling
    2. B. Swiss franc
    3. C. Euro
    4. D. Canadian dollar
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pound sterling

    The UK uses pound sterling. One pound is divided into 100 pence.Source: British money and currency

    Report a problem with this question

  12. Question 24 · The UK and its nations

    Choose TWO accurate matches between a UK nation and its capital.

    Choose TWO answers

    1. A. England — Glasgow
    2. B. Scotland — Edinburgh
    3. C. Wales — Cardiff
    4. D. Northern Ireland — Dublin
    Show answer

    Answers: B. Scotland — Edinburgh; C. Wales — Cardiff

    Cardiff is the Welsh capital and Edinburgh the Scottish capital. Northern Ireland’s capital is Belfast; England’s is London.Source: Capital cities of the UK

    Report a problem with this question

  1. Question 25 · The UK and its nations

    Which TWO labels should remain in a corrected list of UK capitals?

    Choose TWO answers

    1. A. Scotland — Edinburgh
    2. B. Wales — Cardiff
    3. C. Northern Ireland — Dublin
    4. D. England — Glasgow
    Show answer

    Answers: A. Scotland — Edinburgh; B. Wales — Cardiff

    Cardiff is the Welsh capital and Edinburgh the Scottish capital. Northern Ireland’s capital is Belfast; England’s is London.Source: Capital cities of the UK

    Report a problem with this question

  2. Question 26 · The UK and its nations

    A travel guide treats the Republic of Ireland as a UK nation. Which statement is accurate?

    1. A. Both are English counties
    2. B. The Republic of Ireland is a UK nation and Northern Ireland is not
    3. C. Both are part of Wales
    4. D. Northern Ireland is in the UK; the Republic of Ireland is a separate state
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Northern Ireland is in the UK; the Republic of Ireland is a separate state

    Northern Ireland is part of the UK. The Republic of Ireland is a separate sovereign state.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

  3. Question 27 · The UK and its nations

    A learner mistakenly lists the euro as the UK’s national currency. Which currency should replace it?

    1. A. Canadian dollar
    2. B. Pound sterling
    3. C. Swiss franc
    4. D. Euro
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Pound sterling

    The UK uses pound sterling. One pound is divided into 100 pence.Source: British money and currency

    Report a problem with this question

  4. Question 28 · The UK and its nations

    A learner needs the term for England, Scotland and Wales together, excluding Northern Ireland. Which term fits?

    1. A. Great Britain
    2. B. The Isle of Man
    3. C. The Republic of Ireland
    4. D. The Channel Islands
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Great Britain

    Great Britain contains England, Scotland and Wales. It is not a synonym for the whole United Kingdom.Source: The United Kingdom and independence

    Report a problem with this question

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