City & Symbols
This red, two-level vehicle is an iconic mode of public transport in London.
the red double-decker bus
In what year did the Romans establish Londinium in the Thames valley?
43 AD
What is the name of the famous movable bridge near the Tower of London that opens in the middle?
Tower Bridge
What is the ceremonial residence of the British monarch in London where the Changing of the Guard occurs?
Buckingham Palace
Which wax museum lets visitors see figures of famous people like Winston Churchill and Madonna?
Madame Tussaud’s
Name the river that divides London into north and south.
the River Thames
Which major epidemic in 1665 killed over 100,000 people in London?
the Black Plague (1665)
Which London landmark is a giant Ferris wheel opened in 1999 with 32 capsules?
the London Eye
Which building complex contains the House of Commons and the House of Lords?
the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament)
Name the museum described as housing around 80 million items in collections including botany, entomology, and palaeontology.
the Natural History Museum (British Museum (Natural History) historically)?
Which public park in central London contains the Serpentine and Speaker’s Corner?
Hyde Park
What catastrophic event in 1666 destroyed much of the city, including St. Paul’s Cathedral?
the Great Fire of London (1666)
Name the West End shopping street described as the busiest in Europe with about 300 shops.
Oxford Street
What is the nickname given to the great bell in the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster?
Big Ben
Which gallery next to Trafalgar Square contains paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Raphael?
the National Gallery
Which fortified complex on the north bank of the Thames served as fortress, royal palace, and prison?
the Tower of London
Which Roman historian first definitely mentioned London in the year 60?
Tacitus
Which architect, active in the late 18th–early 19th century, is noted in the text as an influence on London’s architecture alongside Christopher Wren?
John Nash
Which street is the official residence of the British Prime Minister?
10 Downing Street
Identify two museums listed in the text that focus on art or design (not Natural History).
The Tate Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum (also the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are art-focused; acceptable answers include Tate Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum).
Identify the architect credited with rebuilding St. Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire of 1666.
Sir Christopher Wren
Explain briefly how William the Conqueror is connected to the Tower of London.
William the Conqueror commissioned and began construction of the massive fortress that became the Tower of London.
Describe two historical functions of the Tower of London and one modern function.
Historical functions: fortress and royal palace (also prison); Modern function: museum (housing arms and formerly the crown jewels).
Contrast the composition and primary differences in role between the House of Lords and the House of Commons as described in the text.
The House of Lords is composed of bishops, archbishops, peers with hereditary or appointed life titles and is decorated in Gothic red (traditionally a revising/reviewing chamber); the House of Commons consists of elected members seated on green benches and is the primary legislative chamber where the Prime Minister and Cabinet (front bench) and the Opposition (left side) sit.
Explain the importance of the National Portrait Gallery as described in the passage.
The National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of British monarchs and notable figures, serving as a record of Britain’s historical and cultural leaders; it is located just behind the National Gallery.