🇬🇧 Life in the UK Mock Test

Life in the UK Test — UK History Questions

From the Romans and the Normans through the Tudors, the Empire and the World Wars. Below are practice questions with the answer and a plain-English explanation. Prefer to practise interactively with a timer? Take a free mock test.

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Early Britain & the Romans (18 questions)

Who ordered the building of a wall in the north of England to keep out the Picts?

Answer: B. Emperor Hadrian

Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of Hadrian's Wall to keep out the Picts. Parts of it still stand today.

Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world, is located in:

Answer: B. Wiltshire, England

Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, England, was built in the Stone Age and Bronze Age and is a World Heritage Site.

In which year did the Romans successfully invade Britain under Emperor Claudius?

Answer: B. AD 43

Julius Caesar led unsuccessful raids in 55 BC; the successful Roman invasion came in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius.

For about how long did the Romans remain in Britain?

Answer: C. 400 years

The Romans stayed in Britain for about 400 years, leaving around AD 410.

The languages spoken in Britain during the Iron Age were part of which family, related to modern Welsh and Gaelic?

Answer: B. Celtic

Iron Age people spoke Celtic languages, related to modern Welsh, Gaelic and Breton.

The Picts, whom Hadrian's Wall was built to keep out, lived in what is now:

Answer: B. Scotland

The Picts lived in the north, in what is now Scotland; Hadrian's Wall was built to keep them out.

Julius Caesar first attempted to invade Britain in:

Answer: A. 55 BC

Julius Caesar led unsuccessful raids on Britain in 55 BC; the Romans only conquered it in AD 43.

Boudicca is remembered as a queen who led a revolt against the:

Answer: B. Romans

Boudicca, queen of the Iceni, led a rebellion against the Roman occupation of Britain.

Stonehenge was built during the:

Answer: B. Stone Age and Bronze Age

Stonehenge was built in the Stone Age and Bronze Age, long before the Romans arrived.

Hadrian's Wall was built in the north of:

Answer: B. England

Hadrian's Wall was built in the north of England to mark and defend the edge of Roman territory.

The Romans are remembered for building in Britain:

Answer: B. roads, towns and public baths

The Romans built roads, towns, public baths and other infrastructure during their rule.

Which queen of the Iceni led a revolt against the Romans in Britain?

Answer: A. Boudicca

Boudicca, queen of the Iceni tribe, led an uprising against the Romans. A statue of her stands near Westminster Bridge.

Hadrian's Wall was built by the Romans mainly to:

Answer: A. keep out tribes from the north (the Picts)

The Emperor Hadrian had the wall built to keep out the Picts, tribes from what is now Scotland.

Stonehenge was built during which period?

Answer: A. the Bronze Age

Stonehenge was built in the Bronze Age, thousands of years ago.

Skara Brae, the best-preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe, is in:

Answer: A. Orkney, Scotland

Skara Brae on Orkney is a remarkably well-preserved prehistoric village.

In which year did the Romans, under Emperor Claudius, successfully invade Britain?

Answer: A. AD 43

The Romans successfully invaded Britain in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius.

An earlier, unsuccessful Roman attempt to invade Britain in 55 BC was led by:

Answer: A. Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar led unsuccessful invasions in 55 and 54 BC; the lasting conquest came later under Claudius.

The Romans left Britain in around AD 410 mainly to:

Answer: A. defend other parts of their empire

Roman soldiers left Britain around AD 410 to defend other parts of the Roman Empire.

Anglo-Saxons & Vikings (14 questions)

St Augustine and St Columba are associated with spreading which religion in Britain?

Answer: B. Christianity

Christianity spread in Britain partly through missionaries such as St Augustine and St Columba.

Which English king is famous for defeating the Vikings?

Answer: A. Alfred the Great

King Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings, though they continued to settle in parts of Britain (the 'Danelaw').

The English language has its roots in the language of the:

Answer: B. Anglo-Saxons

Modern English developed largely from the Germanic language of the Anglo-Saxons who settled in Britain.

The Anglo-Saxons came to Britain from:

Answer: A. northern Europe

The Anglo-Saxons came from what is now northern Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.

After the Romans left, Britain was invaded and settled by the Angles, Saxons and:

Answer: A. Jutes

The Anglo-Saxons - Angles, Saxons and Jutes - settled in Britain after the Romans left.

The Vikings first came to Britain from:

Answer: B. Denmark and Norway

The Vikings came from Scandinavia - mainly Denmark and Norway - raiding and later settling.

The part of England settled and ruled by the Vikings was known as the:

Answer: A. Danelaw

The area of Viking control in England was called the Danelaw.

Viking raids on Britain began in approximately:

Answer: B. the 8th century AD

Viking raids on Britain began in the late 8th century AD.

The legendary king associated with Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table is:

Answer: B. King Arthur

King Arthur is a legendary king associated with Camelot and the Round Table; his story has shaped British culture for centuries.

After the Romans left, Britain was settled by tribes from northern Europe known as the:

Answer: A. Anglo-Saxons

The Anglo-Saxons came from northern Europe and settled in Britain after the Romans left.

The famous ship burial at Sutton Hoo dates from which period?

Answer: A. the Anglo-Saxon period

The Sutton Hoo ship burial is an important Anglo-Saxon archaeological find.

King Alfred the Great defended his kingdom of Wessex against the:

Answer: A. Vikings

Alfred the Great defended Wessex against Viking invaders and is one of the best-known Anglo-Saxon kings.

The Vikings who first raided Britain came mainly from:

Answer: A. Denmark and Norway

The Vikings came from Denmark and Norway and first raided Britain at the end of the 8th century.

Which 11th-century king of England was also king of Denmark and Norway?

Answer: A. Cnut (Canute)

King Cnut (Canute) ruled England as well as Denmark and Norway.

Normans & the Middle Ages (48 questions)

In which year did the Battle of Hastings take place?

Answer: A. 1066

The Battle of Hastings took place in 1066, when William the Conqueror defeated King Harold. It was the last successful foreign invasion of England.

Who led the Norman invasion of England in 1066?

Answer: A. William the Conqueror

William, Duke of Normandy - William the Conqueror - defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became King of England.

What was the Magna Carta, agreed in 1215?

Answer: B. A charter that limited the power of the king

The Magna Carta (1215) was a charter that limited the power of the monarch. King John was forced to agree to it by his noblemen.

What was the Domesday Book, completed in 1086?

Answer: B. A survey and record of England

The Domesday Book was a great survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror, recording who owned land and property.

At the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, defeated the:

Answer: B. English

Robert the Bruce led the Scots to victory over the English at Bannockburn in 1314.

At the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, King Henry V's English army defeated the:

Answer: C. French

Henry V's army defeated the French at Agincourt in 1415, during the Hundred Years War.

The Black Death of 1348 was a:

Answer: B. plague that killed much of the population

The Black Death was a plague that arrived in 1348 and killed about a third of the population of England.

The Wars of the Roses were fought between the houses of:

Answer: B. Lancaster and York

The Wars of the Roses (from 1455) were a civil war between the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose).

The Wars of the Roses ended in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field. The king who won founded which royal dynasty?

Answer: B. Tudor

Henry Tudor won at Bosworth Field in 1485, became Henry VII and founded the Tudor dynasty.

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote which famous collection of stories?

Answer: A. The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, a series of poems about pilgrims travelling to Canterbury.

William the Conqueror and the Normans came from:

Answer: B. Normandy, in northern France

The Normans came from Normandy, in northern France.

After 1066, the language of the ruling Norman nobility was:

Answer: B. French

The Norman ruling class spoke French, which influenced the development of the English language.

King Richard I, who fought in the Crusades, was popularly known as:

Answer: A. Richard the Lionheart

King Richard I was known as 'Richard the Lionheart' for his role in the Crusades.

Which king was forced to agree to the Magna Carta in 1215?

Answer: A. King John

King John was forced by his barons to agree to the Magna Carta in 1215.

The Hundred Years War was fought between England and:

Answer: B. France

The Hundred Years War was a long conflict between England and France.

The Black Death of 1348 killed approximately what proportion of the population of England?

Answer: B. one third

The Black Death, a form of plague, killed around a third of the population of England.

King Edward I built many great castles to help control which country?

Answer: B. Wales

Edward I conquered Wales and built castles such as Caernarfon and Conwy to keep control.

Wales was formally united with England by law during the reign of which king?

Answer: C. Henry VIII

Wales was formally brought together with England under Henry VIII in the 1530s and 1540s.

Robert the Bruce became king of which country?

Answer: B. Scotland

Robert the Bruce became King of Scots and led the Scots to victory at Bannockburn in 1314.

The Easter Rising of 1916 took place in which city?

Answer: B. Dublin

The Easter Rising, a rebellion against British rule, took place in Dublin in 1916.

In 1921, Ireland was divided, with the south becoming known as the:

Answer: A. Irish Free State

In 1921 Ireland was partitioned; the south became the Irish Free State.

Which king ordered the creation of the Domesday Book?

Answer: B. William the Conqueror

William the Conqueror ordered the Domesday Book, a survey of England, completed in 1086.

The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars fought over:

Answer: B. the throne of England

The Wars of the Roses were fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for the throne of England.

Which event happened on Christmas Day 1066?

Answer: B. The coronation of William the Conqueror

After winning at Hastings, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066.

King Edward III founded which order of chivalry in 1348?

Answer: B. the Order of the Garter

King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, the oldest British order of chivalry, in 1348.

The Bayeux Tapestry depicts which historical event?

Answer: B. the Norman Conquest of 1066

The Bayeux Tapestry, a long embroidered cloth, illustrates the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

King John was forced to put his seal to the Magna Carta at:

Answer: B. Runnymede

King John was forced to seal the Magna Carta at Runnymede, beside the River Thames, in 1215.

After conquering Wales, King Edward I also tried to conquer:

Answer: B. Scotland

Edward I, having conquered Wales, also tried to bring Scotland under English rule.

Who became king of England after winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

Answer: A. William the Conqueror

William of Normandy (William the Conqueror) defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and became king.

The survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror was called the:

Answer: A. Domesday Book

The Domesday Book, completed in 1086, recorded who owned land and property across England.

Magna Carta, agreed in 1215, was forced on which king?

Answer: A. King John

King John was forced by his barons to agree to Magna Carta, which limited the power of the monarch.

The Black Death that reached England in 1348 was a:

Answer: A. deadly plague

The Black Death was a plague that killed a large part of the population of England in the 14th century.

Geoffrey Chaucer is best known for writing:

Answer: A. The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, a famous series of poems in Middle English.

The white rose was the symbol of which side in the Wars of the Roses?

Answer: A. the House of York

In the Wars of the Roses the House of York used a white rose and the House of Lancaster a red rose.

The Wars of the Roses ended in 1485 at the Battle of:

Answer: A. Bosworth Field

Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, becoming Henry VII and starting the Tudor dynasty.

After the Norman Conquest, the system of holding land in return for service was the:

Answer: A. feudal system

The Normans introduced the feudal system, under which land was held in return for service and loyalty.

The oldest part of the Tower of London, built by the Normans, is the:

Answer: A. White Tower

The White Tower at the heart of the Tower of London was built by the Normans.

The long conflict in which English kings tried to claim the throne of France was the:

Answer: A. Hundred Years War

The Hundred Years War was a series of conflicts between England and France in the Middle Ages.

At which 1415 battle did Henry V's army defeat the French?

Answer: A. Agincourt

Henry V won the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years War.

At the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Robert the Bruce led the Scots to victory over the:

Answer: A. English

Robert the Bruce defeated the English at Bannockburn in 1314, securing Scottish independence for a time.

Which English king conquered Wales and built a ring of great castles there?

Answer: A. Edward I

Edward I conquered Wales in the 13th century and built castles such as Conwy and Caernarfon.

Since the Middle Ages, the title often given to the monarch's eldest son has been:

Answer: A. Prince of Wales

The heir to the throne has often held the title Prince of Wales since the Middle Ages.

Magna Carta was sealed by King John in 1215 at:

Answer: A. Runnymede

King John sealed Magna Carta at Runnymede beside the River Thames in 1215.

The Black Death that struck Britain in 1348 was a form of:

Answer: A. plague

The Black Death was a plague that killed a large proportion of the population.

During the Middle Ages, the body that grew to advise the king and agree taxes became:

Answer: A. Parliament

Parliament developed in the Middle Ages from councils that advised the king and agreed to taxes.

The red rose was the symbol of which house in the Wars of the Roses?

Answer: A. Lancaster

In the Wars of the Roses the House of Lancaster used a red rose and the House of York a white rose.

Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic, was eventually executed on the orders of:

Answer: A. Elizabeth I

Mary, Queen of Scots, was seen as a threat and was executed during the reign of Elizabeth I.

The 1801 Act of Union joined Great Britain with:

Answer: A. Ireland

The Act of Union of 1801 created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Tudors & Stuarts (71 questions)

The Spanish Armada was defeated during the reign of which monarch?

Answer: C. Elizabeth I

The Spanish Armada, sent to conquer England, was defeated in 1588 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Henry VIII is best known for having how many wives?

Answer: C. Six

Henry VIII married six times. His break with the Church of Rome led to the establishment of the Church of England.

Henry VIII's break with Rome led to the creation of the:

Answer: B. Church of England

When the Pope refused to allow Henry VIII to divorce, Henry broke with Rome and set up the Church of England, with himself as its head.

Which queen, a devout Catholic, became known as 'Bloody Mary' for her persecution of Protestants?

Answer: B. Mary I

Mary I was a devout Catholic who persecuted Protestants, earning the nickname 'Bloody Mary'.

Sir Francis Drake, who helped defeat the Spanish Armada, was one of the first to:

Answer: B. sail around the world

Sir Francis Drake was among the first to sail around (circumnavigate) the world, and he helped defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588.

In 1603, James VI of Scotland also became king of England, where he was known as:

Answer: A. James I

When Elizabeth I died childless in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England, uniting the crowns.

An English translation of the Bible produced in 1611 is named after which king?

Answer: B. James

The King James Bible (1611), an English translation, is named after King James I.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was an attempt to:

Answer: A. blow up Parliament and the king

In 1605 a group including Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I. Its failure is marked on Bonfire Night.

The English Civil War, which began in 1642, was a conflict between the king and:

Answer: B. Parliament

The Civil War was fought between supporters of King Charles I (the Cavaliers) and Parliament (the Roundheads).

Which king was executed in 1649 after losing the English Civil War?

Answer: A. Charles I

Charles I was executed in 1649, and England briefly became a republic.

Who ruled England as 'Lord Protector' after the Civil War?

Answer: A. Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell led the republic as Lord Protector until his death. The monarchy was restored in 1660.

The Great Fire of London took place in which year?

Answer: C. 1666

The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed much of the city, the year after the Great Plague of 1665.

In the Glorious Revolution of 1688, who was invited to become king in place of James II?

Answer: A. William of Orange

In 1688 William of Orange was invited to take the throne and James II fled. This is called the Glorious Revolution.

The Bill of Rights of 1689 confirmed that the monarch's power was limited by:

Answer: B. Parliament

The Bill of Rights (1689) established that the monarch could not rule without Parliament, creating a constitutional monarchy.

Mary, Queen of Scots was eventually executed on the orders of:

Answer: B. Elizabeth I

Mary, Queen of Scots was held prisoner for many years and finally executed on the orders of Elizabeth I.

The Great Plague, which killed many people in London, occurred in:

Answer: B. 1665

The Great Plague struck London in 1665, the year before the Great Fire of 1666.

The Bank of England was first set up in which century?

Answer: B. the 17th century

The Bank of England was founded in 1694, in the late 17th century, to help fund the government.

Who was the first king of the Tudor dynasty?

Answer: A. Henry VII

Henry VII became the first Tudor king after winning the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

Queen Elizabeth I, who never married, became known as:

Answer: B. the Virgin Queen

Elizabeth I never married and became known as 'the Virgin Queen'.

The movement that led to the creation of Protestant churches across Europe was the:

Answer: B. Reformation

The Reformation was the movement that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and created Protestant churches.

The Protestant Church of Scotland was established by:

Answer: A. John Knox

The Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) was established by the reformer John Knox.

Queen Mary I was married to the king of which country?

Answer: B. Spain

Mary I, a devout Catholic, was married to King Philip II of Spain.

Sir Walter Raleigh was a famous explorer during the reign of:

Answer: A. Elizabeth I

Sir Walter Raleigh was an explorer during the reign of Elizabeth I.

In which year was the Spanish Armada defeated?

Answer: B. 1588

The Spanish Armada was defeated in 1588 during the reign of Elizabeth I.

In 1620 a group known as the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America on a ship called the:

Answer: B. Mayflower

The Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America on the Mayflower in 1620.

Supporters of the king during the English Civil War were known as:

Answer: B. Cavaliers

The king's supporters in the Civil War were called Cavaliers (or Royalists).

Supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War were known as:

Answer: A. Roundheads

Parliament's supporters in the Civil War were called Roundheads.

The return of the monarchy in 1660, when Charles II became king, is known as the:

Answer: B. Restoration

The return of the monarchy under Charles II in 1660 is called the Restoration.

After the Glorious Revolution, William of Orange ruled jointly with his wife:

Answer: B. Mary II

William of Orange and his wife Mary II ruled jointly after 1688.

The Act of Settlement of 1701 ensured that only a ___ could become monarch.

Answer: B. Protestant

The Act of Settlement (1701) ruled that only a Protestant could inherit the throne.

Where are the coronations of British monarchs traditionally held?

Answer: B. Westminster Abbey

Coronations of British monarchs are traditionally held at Westminster Abbey in London.

Who was Henry VIII's first wife?

Answer: B. Catherine of Aragon

Henry VIII's first wife was Catherine of Aragon; he later sought to divorce her, which led to his break with Rome.

Henry VIII broke the Church of England away from the authority of:

Answer: B. the Pope in Rome

Henry VIII broke with the Pope in Rome and made himself head of the Church of England.

Henry VIII was succeeded by his young son, who became king as:

Answer: A. Edward VI

Henry VIII was followed by his only son, Edward VI, who was just nine years old when he became king.

Lady Jane Grey was queen of England for how long before being deposed?

Answer: B. nine days

Lady Jane Grey was queen for nine days in 1553 before being replaced by Mary I.

Mary I and Elizabeth I were both daughters of which king?

Answer: B. Henry VIII

Mary I and Elizabeth I were daughters of Henry VIII and reigned in turn after their brother Edward VI.

The Spanish Armada was sent against England by which king?

Answer: B. Philip II of Spain

The Spanish Armada was sent in 1588 by King Philip II of Spain to invade England.

The Pilgrim Fathers settled in what is now:

Answer: B. the eastern United States

The Pilgrim Fathers, sailing on the Mayflower in 1620, founded settlements in what became New England in the United States.

Charles II was the son of which executed king?

Answer: B. Charles I

Charles II was the son of Charles I, who was executed in 1649 after losing the English Civil War.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690 was won by which king?

Answer: B. William of Orange (William III)

William of Orange (William III) defeated James II at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690.

Sir Walter Raleigh helped introduce which plants from the Americas to Britain?

Answer: B. potatoes and tobacco

Sir Walter Raleigh is associated with introducing potatoes and tobacco to England from the Americas.

The royal house that succeeded the Tudors on the throne in 1603 was the:

Answer: B. Stuarts

When Elizabeth I died in 1603, the Stuart dynasty came to the throne with James VI of Scotland (James I of England).

Sir Francis Drake sailed around the world in a ship called the:

Answer: A. Golden Hind

Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe in his ship the Golden Hind in the 1570s and 80s.

How many wives did King Henry VIII have?

Answer: A. six

Henry VIII married six times. His break with the Pope led to the Church of England.

Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and became head of the:

Answer: A. Church of England

When the Pope refused to annul his marriage, Henry VIII established the Church of England with himself as its head.

The Spanish Armada was defeated during the reign of:

Answer: A. Elizabeth I

In 1588 the English navy defeated the Spanish Armada during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The King James Bible, an English translation, was produced during the reign of:

Answer: A. James I

The King James (Authorised) Version of the Bible was produced under James I in 1611.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was a failed attempt to:

Answer: A. blow up the Houses of Parliament

Guy Fawkes and others tried to blow up Parliament and King James I in 1605; the event is remembered on 5 November.

The English Civil War was a conflict between supporters of the King and supporters of:

Answer: A. Parliament

The Civil War was fought between the Royalists (Cavaliers) who backed the King and the Parliamentarians (Roundheads).

Which king was executed in 1649 after the English Civil War?

Answer: A. Charles I

King Charles I was tried and executed in 1649, and England briefly became a republic.

Who led England as Lord Protector during the period of the Commonwealth?

Answer: A. Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector after the Civil War, during the republic known as the Commonwealth.

Which king returned to the throne in 1660, ending the republic in England?

Answer: A. Charles II

In 1660 the monarchy was restored and Charles II became king, ending the republic that had followed the Civil War.

The Great Fire of London took place in:

Answer: A. 1666

The Great Fire of London destroyed much of the city in 1666.

In the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which Dutch prince was invited to become king?

Answer: A. William of Orange

William of Orange was invited to take the throne in 1688; James II fled, and this became known as the Glorious Revolution.

The Bill of Rights of 1689 confirmed that the monarch could not rule without:

Answer: A. Parliament

The 1689 Bill of Rights limited the monarch's powers and confirmed that the King or Queen must rule through Parliament.

Henry VII united the rival houses by marrying:

Answer: A. Elizabeth of York

Henry VII (Lancaster) married Elizabeth of York, uniting the two houses and creating the Tudor rose.

Henry VIII broke with the Church of Rome partly because the Pope would not let him:

Answer: A. divorce his first wife

Henry VIII wanted to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon; when the Pope refused, he broke with Rome.

Which of Henry VIII's children was a strong Protestant under whom the Book of Common Prayer was introduced?

Answer: A. Edward VI

Edward VI was a committed Protestant; during his reign the Book of Common Prayer was introduced.

Queen Mary I was nicknamed 'Bloody Mary' because she:

Answer: A. persecuted Protestants

Mary I, a devout Catholic, had many Protestants executed, earning the nickname 'Bloody Mary'.

Which seafarer helped defeat the Spanish Armada and sailed around the world?

Answer: A. Sir Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake helped defeat the Spanish Armada and was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.

The reign of Elizabeth I is often remembered as a golden age of:

Answer: A. theatre and exploration

Elizabeth I's reign saw a flourishing of theatre (Shakespeare) and English exploration.

When Elizabeth I died childless in 1603, the throne passed to:

Answer: A. James VI of Scotland (James I of England)

James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603, uniting the crowns of the two countries.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 aimed to kill the king and blow up:

Answer: A. Parliament

Guy Fawkes and his fellow plotters tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

The English translation of the Bible produced in 1611 is known as the:

Answer: A. King James Bible

The King James (Authorised) Version of the Bible appeared in 1611 under James I.

The English Civil War broke out in 1642 between the king and supporters of:

Answer: A. Parliament

The Civil War was fought between the Royalists (the king's supporters) and the Parliamentarians.

Supporters of Parliament during the Civil War were nicknamed the:

Answer: A. Roundheads

Parliament's supporters were called Roundheads; the king's supporters were the Cavaliers.

After Charles I was executed, England was governed as a republic called the:

Answer: A. Commonwealth

England became a republic known as the Commonwealth, later led by Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector.

The monarchy was restored in 1660 when which king came to the throne?

Answer: A. Charles II

Charles II returned from exile and was crowned in 1660, in what is called the Restoration.

The Great Plague of London occurred in which year?

Answer: A. 1665

The Great Plague struck London in 1665, killing many thousands of people.

In 1688 the Catholic King James II was replaced by William of Orange and his wife:

Answer: A. Mary

William of Orange ruled jointly with Mary, James II's Protestant daughter, after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

The Bill of Rights of 1689 established that the monarch must:

Answer: A. rule with the consent of Parliament

The 1689 Bill of Rights confirmed that the monarch could not rule without the agreement of Parliament.

Empire, industry & Victorians (68 questions)

Who commanded the British fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805?

Answer: B. Admiral Nelson

Admiral Lord Nelson commanded the British fleet at Trafalgar in 1805, defeating the French and Spanish. Nelson's Column in London commemorates him.

Who led the British army that defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815?

Answer: B. The Duke of Wellington

The Duke of Wellington led the allied forces that defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. He later became Prime Minister.

The Act of Union of 1707 joined which two countries to form the Kingdom of Great Britain?

Answer: C. England and Scotland

The Act of Union 1707 united the kingdoms of England (with Wales) and Scotland to create the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Who is generally regarded as the first British Prime Minister, from 1721?

Answer: B. Sir Robert Walpole

Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first Prime Minister, serving from 1721.

Slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833. A leading campaigner against the slave trade was:

Answer: B. William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was a leading campaigner. The slave trade was abolished in 1807 and slavery throughout the Empire in 1833.

Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901, a period when the British Empire:

Answer: B. was at its largest and most powerful

During Victoria's long reign the British Empire became the largest in history, and Britain led the world in industry and trade.

William Caxton was the first person in England to:

Answer: B. print books using a printing press

William Caxton set up the first printing press in England, allowing books to be produced far more quickly.

Sir Christopher Wren designed which famous London building, rebuilt after the Great Fire?

Answer: B. St Paul's Cathedral

Sir Christopher Wren designed the new St Paul's Cathedral after the original was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

The Industrial Revolution refers to the rapid growth of:

Answer: B. industry and manufacturing

The Industrial Revolution was the rapid development of industry, factories and manufacturing, with Britain leading the way.

James Watt is best known for improving the:

Answer: B. steam engine

James Watt developed an improved steam engine, which became central to the Industrial Revolution.

George Stephenson is famous for building an early railway locomotive called the:

Answer: A. Rocket

George Stephenson built the 'Rocket', a pioneering steam railway locomotive.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a famous:

Answer: B. engineer

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a celebrated engineer who built railways, bridges and ships.

Florence Nightingale is regarded as the founder of modern:

Answer: B. nursing

Florence Nightingale, who cared for soldiers in the Crimean War, is seen as the founder of modern nursing.

In the Crimean War of the 1850s, Britain fought against:

Answer: B. Russia

Britain, with allies, fought against Russia in the Crimean War (1853-56).

George I, who became king in 1714, came from which country and spoke little English?

Answer: B. Germany

George I came from Hanover in Germany and spoke little English, so power increasingly passed to ministers.

Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rising was finally defeated at the Battle of:

Answer: B. Culloden

The Jacobites, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

During the reign of Queen Victoria, the British Empire:

Answer: B. became the largest empire in history

By the end of Victoria's reign the British Empire was the largest the world had ever seen, covering much of the globe.

The royal family that came to the throne in 1714 was the House of:

Answer: C. Hanover

The House of Hanover came to the British throne in 1714 with George I.

Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister, was given which house that PMs still use today?

Answer: B. 10 Downing Street

Sir Robert Walpole was given 10 Downing Street, still the Prime Minister's official residence.

The Jacobites wanted to restore which royal house to the throne?

Answer: B. Stuart

The Jacobites supported the return of the Stuart kings to the throne.

Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Jacobite leader, was also known as:

Answer: B. the Young Pretender

Bonnie Prince Charlie was known as 'the Young Pretender'.

Adam Smith, author of 'The Wealth of Nations', is an important figure in the development of:

Answer: B. economics

Adam Smith was a key thinker in economics during the Scottish Enlightenment.

David Hume was a famous Scottish:

Answer: B. philosopher

David Hume was an influential philosopher of the Enlightenment.

The slave trade was made illegal in the British Empire in:

Answer: B. 1807

The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in 1807; slavery itself was abolished in 1833.

Olaudah Equiano was a former slave who campaigned to:

Answer: B. end the slave trade

Olaudah Equiano was a freed slave whose writing helped the campaign to abolish the slave trade.

Sir Robert Peel is credited with establishing the first modern:

Answer: B. police force

Sir Robert Peel set up the first modern police force; officers were nicknamed 'Bobbies' and 'Peelers'.

The Great Exhibition of 1851 was held in a huge glass building called the:

Answer: A. Crystal Palace

The Great Exhibition of 1851 was held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London.

Queen Victoria's husband, who helped organise the Great Exhibition, was:

Answer: A. Prince Albert

Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, helped organise the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Queen Victoria came to the throne in:

Answer: B. 1837

Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and reigned until 1901.

The Boer War of 1899-1902 was fought by Britain in:

Answer: B. South Africa

The Boer War was fought in South Africa.

Mary Seacole, who set up a 'British Hotel' to care for sick soldiers, nursed during the:

Answer: B. Crimean War

Mary Seacole cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.

India became independent from Britain in:

Answer: B. 1947

India gained independence from Britain in 1947.

The Act of Union of 1707 created a single Parliament for Great Britain, based at:

Answer: B. Westminster

The Act of Union 1707 joined England and Scotland under one Parliament at Westminster.

The British East India Company was set up to trade mainly with:

Answer: B. India and the East

The British East India Company traded with India and other parts of Asia, and helped extend British influence there.

The Industrial Revolution began in which country?

Answer: B. Britain

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other countries.

Which textile machine was invented by James Hargreaves?

Answer: A. the spinning jenny

James Hargreaves invented the spinning jenny, which allowed several threads to be spun at once.

The Battle of Trafalgar, fought in 1805, was a:

Answer: B. naval battle

Trafalgar (1805) was a great naval battle in which the Royal Navy under Nelson defeated the French and Spanish fleets.

The Reform Act of 1832 greatly increased the number of people who could:

Answer: A. vote

The Great Reform Act of 1832 widened the right to vote, increasing the number of men who could take part in elections.

The Chartists, active in the 1830s and 1840s, campaigned for the right to:

Answer: B. vote for all adult men

The Chartists campaigned for political reforms, including votes for all adult men.

The Whigs and the Tories were the first British:

Answer: B. political parties

The Whigs and the Tories were the first organised political parties in Britain, emerging in the late 17th century.

At its height, the British Empire covered approximately:

Answer: C. a quarter of the world

At its height the British Empire covered around a quarter of the world's land and population.

The Act of Union of 1707 joined England and Scotland to form:

Answer: A. the Kingdom of Great Britain

The Act of Union 1707 united the kingdoms of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rising was finally defeated in 1746 at the Battle of:

Answer: A. Culloden

The Jacobites, led by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Adam Smith, author of 'The Wealth of Nations', was a thinker of the:

Answer: A. Scottish Enlightenment

Adam Smith was a leading figure of the Enlightenment, a period of new ideas about politics, philosophy and science.

James Watt is associated with improvements to the:

Answer: A. steam engine

James Watt developed an improved steam engine, a key invention of the Industrial Revolution.

Richard Arkwright is remembered for developing efficient:

Answer: A. factories and machinery for spinning cotton

Richard Arkwright pioneered the use of machinery and the factory system in the textile industry.

Which reformer campaigned to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire?

Answer: A. William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce led the campaign against the slave trade, which was abolished in the British Empire in 1807, with slavery itself abolished in 1833.

Admiral Nelson led the British navy to victory in 1805 at the Battle of:

Answer: A. Trafalgar

Admiral Lord Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 but was killed during the fighting.

The Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon in 1815 at the Battle of:

Answer: A. Waterloo

The Duke of Wellington led the allied forces that defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Queen Victoria reigned for more than 60 years, beginning in:

Answer: A. 1837

Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 and reigned until 1901, the longest reign up to that time.

Florence Nightingale, who improved hospital nursing, became famous during the:

Answer: A. Crimean War

Florence Nightingale nursed wounded soldiers during the Crimean War and is seen as the founder of modern nursing.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a famous Victorian:

Answer: A. engineer

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an engineer who built tunnels, bridges, railways (the Great Western Railway) and ships.

The 1707 Act of Union created a single kingdom and Parliament for:

Answer: A. England and Scotland

The Act of Union 1707 united England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

In 1714 the throne passed to George I, who came from:

Answer: A. Germany (Hanover)

George I of the House of Hanover came from Germany and became king in 1714.

Sir Robert Walpole, from 1721, is remembered as the first person to hold which office?

Answer: A. Prime Minister

Sir Robert Walpole is usually considered the first British Prime Minister, holding office from 1721.

Bonnie Prince Charlie's 1745 rising aimed to restore which royal house?

Answer: A. the Stuarts

Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) tried to restore the Stuart claim to the throne.

The economist Adam Smith, an Enlightenment thinker, came from:

Answer: A. Scotland

Adam Smith, author of 'The Wealth of Nations', was a Scottish Enlightenment thinker.

Which Scottish philosopher was a leading figure of the Enlightenment?

Answer: A. David Hume

David Hume was an influential Scottish philosopher of the Enlightenment.

During the Industrial Revolution, many people moved from the countryside to work in:

Answer: A. factories and towns

The Industrial Revolution saw rapid growth of factories and towns as people left the land for industrial work.

George Stephenson is famous for developing early:

Answer: A. railway locomotives

George Stephenson was a railway pioneer who built the famous locomotive the 'Rocket'.

At its height, the British Empire was:

Answer: A. the largest empire the world has ever seen

The British Empire became the largest empire the world has known, covering about a quarter of the globe.

The transatlantic slave trade was abolished throughout the British Empire in:

Answer: A. 1807

The slave trade was made illegal in the British Empire in 1807; slavery itself was abolished in 1833.

Which MP led the parliamentary campaign against the slave trade?

Answer: A. William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce was a leading campaigner whose efforts helped abolish the slave trade.

Admiral Nelson was killed in 1805 at the naval Battle of:

Answer: A. Trafalgar

Admiral Lord Nelson died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805; Nelson's Column commemorates him.

The Crystal Palace was built in London to host which 1851 event?

Answer: A. the Great Exhibition

The Crystal Palace was a huge glass building constructed for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Which nurse became famous for her work during the Crimean War?

Answer: A. Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale nursed soldiers in the Crimean War and helped found modern nursing.

Mary Seacole, honoured for nursing soldiers in the Crimean War, was born in:

Answer: A. Jamaica

Mary Seacole, born in Jamaica, cared for sick and wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.

Who became the UK's first female Prime Minister in 1979?

Answer: A. Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher became the UK's first woman Prime Minister in 1979.

Wars, science & modern Britain (82 questions)

William Shakespeare is famous as a:

Answer: C. Playwright and poet

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a playwright and poet, born in Stratford-upon-Avon. His work is still performed today.

Who was the British Prime Minister for most of the Second World War?

Answer: A. Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940 and led the country for most of the Second World War.

The National Health Service (NHS), providing healthcare for all, was established in:

Answer: C. 1948

The NHS was set up in 1948 to provide healthcare free at the point of use, led by Health Minister Aneurin Bevan.

Sir Isaac Newton is famous as a:

Answer: B. scientist

Sir Isaac Newton was a great scientist, known for his work on gravity and the laws of motion.

Robert Burns, who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne', is a famous poet of:

Answer: B. Scotland

Robert Burns is Scotland's national poet; his work includes 'Auld Lang Syne', sung at New Year.

In which year did the First World War begin?

Answer: C. 1914

The First World War began in 1914 and ended in 1918.

In which year did the First World War end?

Answer: B. 1918

The First World War ended in 1918.

The Battle of the Somme in 1916 was a major battle of:

Answer: B. the First World War

The Battle of the Somme (1916), with very heavy casualties, was a major battle of the First World War.

Emmeline Pankhurst is associated with the campaign for:

Answer: B. votes for women

Emmeline Pankhurst was a leader of the suffragette movement, which campaigned for women's right to vote.

Women in the UK were first given the right to vote (those over 30) in:

Answer: B. 1918

Women over 30 first gained the vote in 1918; the voting age for women was made equal to men's (21) in 1928.

In which year did the Second World War begin?

Answer: C. 1939

The Second World War began in 1939, when Britain declared war on Germany.

Who said 'We shall fight on the beaches' during the Second World War?

Answer: B. Winston Churchill

This famous wartime speech was made by Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister for most of the Second World War.

In 1940 hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops were evacuated from the beaches of:

Answer: B. Dunkirk

The evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940 rescued large numbers of soldiers using many small boats.

The Battle of Britain in 1940 was won mainly by which part of the armed forces?

Answer: B. The Royal Air Force

The Battle of Britain was an air battle won by the Royal Air Force (RAF), preventing a German invasion.

Sir Alexander Fleming is famous for discovering:

Answer: B. penicillin

Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, in 1928.

The jet engine was developed in Britain by:

Answer: A. Sir Frank Whittle

Sir Frank Whittle developed the jet engine in the 1930s and 1940s.

Alan Turing is best known for his work on code-breaking and the development of the:

Answer: B. computer

Alan Turing helped break wartime codes and is a key figure in the development of the modern computer.

John Logie Baird is credited with pioneering the:

Answer: B. television

John Logie Baird, a Scot, was a pioneer of television in the 1920s.

The structure of DNA was discovered by scientists working in Britain, including:

Answer: A. Francis Crick

Francis Crick and James Watson, working in Britain, discovered the structure of DNA in 1953.

The World Wide Web was invented by which British scientist?

Answer: A. Sir Tim Berners-Lee

Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989-90.

Margaret Thatcher, who became Prime Minister in 1979, was the UK's first:

Answer: B. woman Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher was the UK's first woman Prime Minister, serving from 1979 to 1990.

The UK joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in:

Answer: B. 1973

The UK joined the EEC, a forerunner of the European Union, in 1973.

Sake Dean Mahomet is remembered for introducing what to Britain around 1810?

Answer: B. Indian food and 'shampooing'

Sake Dean Mahomet opened an early Indian restaurant and introduced 'shampooing' (therapeutic massage) to Britain.

In the First World War, Britain and its allies fought mainly against:

Answer: B. Germany and its allies

Britain and its allies fought against Germany and the other Central Powers in the First World War.

The First World War ended with an armistice on:

Answer: B. 11 November 1918

The armistice that ended the First World War took effect on 11 November 1918.

The period of economic hardship and high unemployment in the 1930s is known as the:

Answer: A. Great Depression

The 1930s saw the Great Depression, with mass unemployment and economic difficulty.

Who was Prime Minister at the start of the Second World War, before Winston Churchill?

Answer: B. Neville Chamberlain

Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister when war broke out in 1939; Churchill replaced him in 1940.

In which year did the Second World War end?

Answer: C. 1945

The Second World War ended in 1945.

The German bombing of British cities during the Second World War was known as the:

Answer: A. Blitz

The 'Blitz' was the sustained German bombing of British cities during the Second World War.

The Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944 is known as:

Answer: A. D-Day

The Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944 are known as D-Day.

The 1942 report by William Beveridge led to the creation of the:

Answer: B. modern welfare state

The Beveridge Report of 1942 laid the foundations of the modern welfare state.

The Labour government that founded the NHS in 1948 was led by:

Answer: B. Clement Attlee

Clement Attlee's Labour government created the welfare state and the NHS after 1945.

After the Second World War, the UK invited workers from the West Indies who arrived on ships such as the:

Answer: B. Empire Windrush

Workers from the Caribbean arrived to help rebuild Britain, famously on the Empire Windrush in 1948.

Which famous band from Liverpool became hugely popular in the 1960s?

Answer: B. The Beatles

The Beatles, from Liverpool, became one of the most successful bands of all time during the 1960s.

In 1982 Britain fought a war with Argentina over which islands?

Answer: B. the Falkland Islands

Britain went to war with Argentina in 1982 over the Falkland Islands.

The 1998 agreement that helped bring peace to Northern Ireland is known as the:

Answer: A. Good Friday Agreement

The Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement of 1998 was a major step towards peace in Northern Ireland.

The Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly were first established in:

Answer: C. 1999

Following referendums in 1997, the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly were established in 1999.

Nancy Astor made history in 1919 by becoming the first woman to:

Answer: B. take her seat as an MP

Nancy Astor was the first woman to take her seat as a Member of Parliament, in 1919.

In a 2002 BBC poll, who was voted the greatest Briton of all time?

Answer: B. Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Churchill was voted the greatest Briton in a 2002 BBC poll.

The hovercraft was invented by the British engineer:

Answer: B. Christopher Cockerell

Sir Christopher Cockerell invented the hovercraft in the 1950s.

Concorde, a supersonic passenger aircraft, was developed by Britain together with:

Answer: B. France

Concorde was a joint project between Britain and France.

Sir Robert Watson-Watt developed which technology used to detect aircraft?

Answer: A. radar

Sir Robert Watson-Watt developed radar, which was vital in the Second World War.

The world's first 'test-tube baby', born through IVF, was born in the UK in:

Answer: C. 1978

The first baby born through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) was born in the UK in 1978.

Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, was created in:

Answer: B. Scotland

Dolly the sheep was cloned by scientists in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1996.

The Harrier, a jet aircraft able to take off vertically, was developed in:

Answer: B. Britain

The Harrier 'jump jet', able to take off and land vertically, was a British development.

The world's first cash machine (ATM) was opened in:

Answer: B. the UK

The first cash machine (ATM) was opened by Barclays in the UK in 1967.

Sir Isaac Newton is famous for describing the laws of:

Answer: B. motion and gravity

Sir Isaac Newton's most famous work concerns the laws of motion and the theory of gravity.

Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in:

Answer: C. 1952

Queen Elizabeth II became queen in 1952 after the death of her father George VI; she was crowned in 1953.

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in:

Answer: C. 2012

The Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of Elizabeth II's reign, was celebrated in 2012.

Margaret Thatcher was the leader of which political party?

Answer: B. Conservative

Margaret Thatcher led the Conservative Party and served as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.

Tony Blair became Prime Minister in:

Answer: C. 1997

Tony Blair led the Labour Party to victory and became Prime Minister in 1997.

Who was Prime Minister of the UK during the Falklands War of 1982?

Answer: B. Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister during the Falklands War of 1982.

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in:

Answer: B. UK history

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having reigned for over 70 years.

Which British scientist proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Answer: B. Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection in his book 'On the Origin of Species' (1859).

Which is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, founded around the 12th century?

Answer: B. Oxford

Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, founded around the 12th century; Cambridge was founded shortly afterwards.

The welfare state set up after the Second World War aimed to support people:

Answer: B. 'from the cradle to the grave'

The post-war welfare state aimed to look after people 'from the cradle to the grave', through services like the NHS, education and benefits.

William Shakespeare was a famous playwright born in:

Answer: A. Stratford-upon-Avon

William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The First World War lasted from:

Answer: A. 1914 to 1918

The First World War was fought from 1914 to 1918.

Emmeline Pankhurst is remembered for leading the campaign for:

Answer: A. votes for women

Emmeline Pankhurst led the suffragette movement, which campaigned for women's right to vote.

Who was Prime Minister for much of the Second World War?

Answer: A. Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill led the country as Prime Minister for most of the Second World War.

The D-Day landings of Allied forces in Normandy took place in:

Answer: A. 1944

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Allied troops landed in Normandy as part of the liberation of Europe.

The National Health Service (NHS) was set up in:

Answer: A. 1948

The NHS, which provides healthcare free at the point of use, was established in 1948.

The Royal Society, promoting science, was founded during the reign of:

Answer: A. Charles II

The Royal Society was founded in the 1660s during the reign of Charles II.

Which 17th-century scientist described the law of gravity?

Answer: A. Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton described gravity and the laws of motion and was a leading figure of the Royal Society.

Charles Darwin is best known for developing the theory of:

Answer: A. evolution

Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution, set out in 'On the Origin of Species'.

Who discovered penicillin in 1928?

Answer: A. Alexander Fleming

Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist, discovered penicillin, the first widely used antibiotic.

Edward Jenner pioneered vaccination against which disease?

Answer: A. smallpox

Edward Jenner developed a vaccine against smallpox in the 18th century.

The First World War began in 1914 after the assassination of:

Answer: A. Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The First World War broke out in 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

One of the bloodiest battles for British forces in 1916 was the Battle of the:

Answer: A. Somme

The Battle of the Somme in 1916 saw huge casualties among British and Allied troops.

The end of the First World War is remembered each year on which date?

Answer: A. 11 November

Fighting in the First World War ended at 11am on 11 November 1918, now marked each year by Remembrance Day.

In 1918, women in the UK first gained the right to vote if they were aged over:

Answer: A. 30

From 1918 women over 30 who met a property qualification could vote; equal rights came in 1928.

Women gained the right to vote at the same age as men in:

Answer: A. 1928

In 1928 women were given the right to vote at age 21, the same as men.

The Second World War in Europe began in 1939 when Britain declared war on:

Answer: A. Germany

Britain declared war on Germany in September 1939 after Germany invaded Poland.

In 1940 the Royal Air Force defended the UK against German air attacks in the Battle of:

Answer: A. Britain

The Battle of Britain in 1940 was an air campaign in which the RAF defended the UK against the Luftwaffe.

The evacuation of Allied troops from France in 1940 took place at:

Answer: A. Dunkirk

Hundreds of thousands of troops were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940.

The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 took place on the beaches of:

Answer: A. Normandy

On D-Day, Allied forces landed in Normandy, France, to begin the liberation of western Europe.

Which mathematician helped break German codes at Bletchley Park during the war?

Answer: A. Alan Turing

Alan Turing led code-breaking work at Bletchley Park, helping crack the German Enigma code.

The 1942 report that shaped the modern welfare state was written by:

Answer: A. William Beveridge

The Beveridge Report of 1942 set out plans for the welfare state, tackling 'giant evils' such as want and disease.

The National Health Service was established in 1948 under which minister?

Answer: A. Aneurin Bevan

Aneurin Bevan led the creation of the NHS in 1948, providing healthcare free at the point of use.

After 1948 the UK encouraged immigration to help rebuild, including arrivals from the:

Answer: A. Caribbean

People from the Caribbean and South Asia were among those who came to fill post-war labour shortages.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist, is credited with inventing the:

Answer: A. World Wide Web

Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989.

The jet engine was developed in the 1930s by:

Answer: A. Sir Frank Whittle

Sir Frank Whittle, a British engineer, developed the jet engine.

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