Life in the UK Test PrepTraditions and festivals
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 January | Burns Night in Scotland, in memory of the poet Robert Burns |
| 14 February | St Valentine's Day |
| Spring | Easter, and Good Friday and Easter Monday as bank holidays |
| 31 October | Halloween |
| 5 November | Bonfire Night, remembering the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 |
| 11 November | Remembrance Day. People wear red poppies and remember those who died in war. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 31 December | Hogmanay in Scotland (New Year's Eve) |
The handbook also describes major religious festivals of other faiths, such as Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah and Vaisakhi, which are celebrated across the UK.
Religion
Christianity is the largest religion, and the UK has many other faiths. The Church of England is the established church in England and the Church of Scotland is the national church in Scotland. People are free to follow any religion or none.
Sport, arts and famous places
- Major sporting events include Wimbledon (tennis) and the Six Nations (rugby).
- The handbook names writers, artists, composers, scientists and inventors from all periods, so learn what each person is known for.
- It also lists famous places to visit across all four countries, from castles and cathedrals to national parks.
Everyday life
- Education is compulsory for children up to age 16 in the UK, and in England young people must then stay in education or training until 18.
- You must be 17 to drive a car. People drive on the left.
- You must be 18 to vote in a general election.
How to study it
Make a calendar of the festival dates above and learn it. For the people and places, use flash cards with one fact per name.
Practice questions from this chapter
Who is the patron saint of Scotland?
- St Andrew
- St David
- St George
- St Patrick
Show answer
St Andrew
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and St Andrew's Day is 30 November. St David is for Wales, St George for England and St Patrick for Northern Ireland.
What is New Year's Eve called in Scotland?
- Hogmanay
- Burns Night
- Ceilidh
- Eisteddfod
Show answer
Hogmanay
In Scotland, 31 December is called Hogmanay. For some Scottish people it is a bigger celebration than Christmas.
Which is the oldest tennis tournament in the world?
- Wimbledon
- The US Open
- The French Open
- The Australian Open
Show answer
Wimbledon
The Wimbledon Championships began in 1877. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only major one played on grass.
Who wrote Oliver Twist?
- Charles Dickens
- Thomas Hardy
- Jane Austen
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Show answer
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens wrote many famous novels, including Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. They show the lives of poor people in the 19th century.
Where is the Giant's Causeway?
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
- Wales
- England
Show answer
Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway is on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland. It is made of thousands of six-sided rock columns.
The app has many more for every chapter. Try the 20 free questions too.
Quick questions
What is celebrated on 25 January in Scotland?
Burns Night.
What does Bonfire Night remember?
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
What do people wear on Remembrance Day?
Red poppies.
At what age can you drive a car in the UK?
17.
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