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Chapter 4

A modern, thriving society

Everyday life, religion, festivals, sport, arts, the media, and famous people and inventions.

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Religion and festivals

  • 1The Church of England is the established church in England; the monarch is its Supreme Governor. The Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) is the national church in Scotland. There is no established church in Wales or Northern Ireland.
  • 2Christianity has been the largest religious group in census figures used in the handbook. Islam is the next largest. Many people report no religion.
  • 3Remembrance Day is 11 November. People wear a red poppy. Remembrance Sunday is the nearest Sunday.
  • 4Burns Night is 25 January. Bonfire Night is 5 November. Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year. The National Eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of poetry and music.
  • 5Christmas Day is 25 December; Boxing Day is 26 December. Trooping the Colour marks the monarch’s official birthday.

Sport

  • 1Cricket, football, rugby, tennis and golf all have strong roots in Britain. Golf developed in Scotland; the home of golf is St Andrews.
  • 2Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament and is played on grass.
  • 3England won the FIFA World Cup in 1966 at Wembley. The Ashes is a cricket series against Australia.
  • 4Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile in 1954. The Grand National is run at Aintree.

Culture, media and inventions

  • 1William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Other writers include Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, Robert Burns and Roald Dahl.
  • 2Christopher Wren designed the rebuilt St Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire of 1666.
  • 3The BBC is funded by the television licence fee and is independent of government. John Reith was its first Director-General.
  • 4Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. John Logie Baird helped pioneer television. Alan Turing’s work was foundational for computing.
  • 5Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed the Great Western Railway, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain.

Life in the UK Test Practice Questions

Test your knowledge with some sample questions from Chapter 4.

Question 1. What is the name of the annual cultural Welsh festival which includes music, dance, art and original performances largely in Welsh?
  1. A) The Music Festival of Wales
  2. B) The National Performance Festival of Wales
  3. C) The National Eisteddfod of Wales
  4. D) The Arts Festival of Wales

Correct answer: The National Eisteddfod of Wales

The National Eisteddfod of Wales is an annual cultural festival which includes music, dance, art and original performances largely in Welsh. It includes a number of important competitions for Welsh poetry.

Question 2. What is the name of the area in London where famous theatres are located?
  1. A) Westminster
  2. B) Theatreland
  3. C) Soho
  4. D) Hyde Park

Correct answer: Theatreland

London’s west end, also known as ‘Theatreland’ , is particularly well known for its theatres.

Question 3. Which two of the following are key roles of school governors?
  1. A) Setting the strategic direction of the school
  2. B) Giving awards to the best students of the school
  3. C) Monitoring student’s behaviour
  4. D) Monitoring and evaluating school performance

Correct answer: Setting the strategic direction of the school; Monitoring and evaluating school performance

Governors and school boards have an important part to play in raising school standards. They have three key roles: setting the strategic direction of the school , ensuring accountability and monitoring and evaluating school performance .

Question 4. What other name is given to Diwali?
  1. A) The Festival of Lights
  2. B) Good Friday
  3. C) Ash Wednesday
  4. D) Easter Monday

Correct answer: The Festival of Lights

Diwali is often called the Festival of Lights .

Question 5. When did the BBC start the world’s first regular television service?
  1. A) 1932
  2. B) 1944
  3. C) 1922
  4. D) 1936

Correct answer: 1936

The BBC started radio broadcasts in 1922 and began the world’s first regular television service in 1936 .

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