Geography
Name the 2 larger islands and at least 3 smaller ones.
Great Britain, Ireland, the isle of Man/Wight; the Shetlands; the Scillies
Name the 4 parts of the UK together with their capitals.
England - London; Scotland - Edinburgh; Wales - Cardiff; Northern Ireland - Belfast
Name the 2 main geographical areas.
Highlands and Lowlands
When did the Republic of Ireland become independent from the UK?
After the 1st WW in 1922
What is Wales often called because of its Celtic artistic traditions?
The Land of Song
Name the most important mountain range and the highest point of the country. In which part is it?
the Pennines, Ben Nevis in Scotland
Name the 4 floral symbols of the countries.
England - the Tudor rose; Scotland - thistle; Wales - daffodil and leek; Northern Ireland and Ireland - shamrock
What is tartan? What is its importance?
Scottish checked material - the colours and pattern identify your clan
Why did the 6 northern counties of Ulster vote to remain in the UK?
The majority mas Protestant with Scottish and English ancestors and they wanted to remain in the UK as opposed to the Catholic Irish.
Name at least two characteristic British values in every day life.
keeping traditions; the importance of privacy; love of sports; love of nature; having a good sense of humour is important
Name the two most important rivers- the longest and another one. What is and has been the importance of waterways?
the Severn; the Thames; historically provide easy trade routes all over the country and to the seas
Explain the choices of the floral symbols.
Rose - the War of the Roses; thistle - defence; daffodil - characteristic flower, leek - identifying sign in battle, shamrock - symbol of Trinity
Name the garment Scottish men wear.
a kilt
Describe the flag of Ulster and explain its story.
The flag of St George - white background, red cross - with a star in the middle and a red hand on it; Viking race to get to the land; cut-off hand
Explain the term 'understatement'.
When giving your opinion - good or bad - you express it in the most modest way and not sensationally
Name the 4 seas that surround the islands.
The English Channel, the North Sea, the Irish Sea, the Atlantic Ocean
Name the patron saints of the 4 countries.
England - St. George; Scotland - St Andrew; Wales - St David; Ireland/Northern Ireland - St Patrick
What is the national instrument of Scotland?
bagpipes
Why did the problems between the 2 religious groups escalate after Irish independence?
Catholics were suppressed in Northern Ireland; fewer opportunities, poverty
What important information may your accent show?
geographic location of origin; level of education
Describe the climate of the country. What keeps it like that?
variable but mostly mild, 4 seasons, The Golf Stream heats it
Describe the Union Jack and the flag of Wales. Why is that NOT part of the Union Jack?
3 flags put together: white background and red cross; white background and red diagonal cross; blue background and white diagonal cross; green and white with a red dragon - had long been part of England when the Union Jack was created
Name two aspects of life where Scotland has its own systems.
currency; parliament; education - no university fee and a different system; legal system
Name the agreement that ended 30 years of quasi civil war in 1998.
The Good Friday Agreement
What does the term 'the Queen's English or BBC English' mean?
standardised, educated use of the language in vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation