Life in the UK topic guide
Modern Britain
Population and languages, religion and festivals, education, arts, literature, sport and famous places: the modern society chapter of the Life in the UK test, with a real question.
The chapter on modern Britain describes the UK today: its four nations, its festivals and traditions, its sport, its writers, artists and musicians, and its best known places. Most of these questions ask for a name or a fact.
The guide gives the saints’ days, the festivals (Bonfire Night, Remembrance Day, Hogmanay), the main sports, the famous writers with their best known works, and the highest mountains and longest river.
Modern Britain: nations, traditions, sport, arts and places
The four nations of the UK, festivals and traditions, sport, writers and artists, and the best known places.
What each guide covers
- The four nations and their languagesThe UK is made of four nations.
- Festivals, traditions and public holidaysMany festivals have a religious or historical origin, and people from many religions and cultures celebrate their own festivals as well.
- SportSport is a very important part of British life, and many modern sports were first played here.
- Arts, literature and musicThe UK has a long cultural tradition, and the test asks about famous people and their best known works.
- Places of interest and landscapesThe UK has beautiful landscapes, historic buildings and cities that attract millions of visitors.
Remember for the exam
- UK = England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland; capitals London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast.
- Saints’ days: David 1 March, Patrick 17 March, George 23 April, Andrew 30 November.
- Bonfire Night 5 November (Guy Fawkes, 1605); Remembrance Day 11 November; Hogmanay in Scotland; Burns Night 25 January.
- Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Turner, Constable; Wimbledon, the Six Nations, the 2012 Olympics.
- Ben Nevis (1,345 m) is the highest mountain in the UK; the Severn is the longest river.
A sample question from the bank
Question: What is celebrated on 5 November in Britain? Answer: Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night).
Question: Which author wrote “Pride and Prejudice”? Answer: Jane Austen.
Questions people ask
Do the questions use the exact numbers from the handbook?
Yes, the test uses the handbook’s figures, so use the current edition for numbers such as the population.
Is sport really in the test?
Yes, a few questions ask about the main sports and their places, such as cricket at Lord’s or tennis at Wimbledon.
What is the difference between the UK, Great Britain and the British Isles?
The UK is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is only England, Scotland and Wales. The British Isles also include the Republic of Ireland.
Which public holidays and festivals are asked?
The most common are Christmas, Boxing Day, Easter, Bonfire Night (5 November), Remembrance Day (11 November), Hogmanay in Scotland and the patron saints’ days. Learn the date next to each name.
More guides
Ready to practise?
Study the questions by theme, then take the timed practice exam.