Can You Pass This British General Knowledge Quiz?

By: Becky
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Pass This British General Knowledge Quiz?
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Think you're up to date on all things British? Take this quiz to find out.

So, what is the difference between an Anglophile or a Britophile? Well, an Anglophile is someone who admires all things related to the people, places, and culture of England, whereas a Britophile (yes, it's really a word) refers to someone who admires all things related to the people, places and culture of Great Britain. So, if your admiration of the British is limited to the people, places, and culture of England alone, you're an Anglophile, but if your admiration extends to all of the more than 6,000 British Isles, then you're a Britophile.

Since most of us are relatively unfamiliar with most of what goes on in the British Isles, fans of England and Britain are probably best described as Anglophiles. In fact, they are described as Anglophiles. The term Britophile is a relatively obscure term. We might even bet that you've never heard it before. Conversely, someone who is not enamored at all with all things British would be called an Anglophobe. Although Anglophobe could refer to the fear or hatred of England, its people, its places, and its culture, the term is most often used today to describe anti-British sentiment.

Do you think you can ace this British general knowledge quiz? Let's get started.

What country/countries make up the UK?
Britain
Scotland
Northern Ireland
All of the above
Britain, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all part of the UK. Wales is also part of the UK.

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Who was the first British prime minister?
Bill Clinton
Barack Obama
William Gladstone
William Gladstone was the first British Prime Minister. He served from 1868 to 1894.
George Washington

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What British king established the Church of England?
Elizabeth I
George III
Henry VIII
King Henry VIII established the Church of England. He broke with the Catholic church so he could marry Anne Boleyn.
Mary IV

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What percentage of the population was killed in the Black Death?
20%
About 20% of the British population was killed during the Black Death. The Black Death was the plague. It killed many more people throughout the rest of Europe.
40%
60%
80%

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What document helped establish the British Parliament?
NAFTA
The Constitution
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta helped establish the British Parliament. The Magna Carta was signed in 1215.
The Bill of Rights

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When did Britain take over Wales?
596
1282
Britain conquered Wales in 1282. The country was conquered by British King Edward I.
1776
1920

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Serfdom was common under what British system?
Suffrage
Sexism
Feudalism
Serfdom was common under Feudalism. Feudalism was once common in all of Europe.
Ageism

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What Irish event resulted in the deaths of about one million people?
Boston Tea Party
Korean War
Potato Famine
The Potato Famine resulted in the deaths of about one million people in Ireland. More than one-third of the Irish population was dependent on potatoes, so the famine was particularly devastating in Ireland.
War of 1812

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Which of the following was a British colony?
Bermuda
United States
Hong Kong
All of the above
Bermuda, the United States and Hong Kong were all British colonies at one time. Many other countries throughout the world were once part of the British Empire.

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What British queen is the head of state of Canada?
Henry VIII
George I
John V
Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II is the Head of State of Canada. Canada is a commonwealth of Britain.

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What do the British call cookies?
blobs
biscuits
The British call cookies "biscuits." This is the case throughout the UK.
tads
fingers

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Which of the following is the national dish of Scotland but is enjoyed in Britain?
french fries
haggis
Haggis is the national dish of Scotland but is enjoyed in Britain. Haggis is a combination of sheep's liver, heart and lungs, combined with spices and onions and encased in the sheep's stomach.
eggs
potatoes

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British author Mary Shelley wrote what famous novel?
Huckleberry Finn
Cujo
Carrie
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Shelley published the novel anonymously when she was only 20.

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How old do you have to be to receive a personalized card from Queen Elizabeth II?
50
100
British citizens receive a personalized card from Queen Elizabeth Ii when they reach their 100th birthday. Other UK citizens also receive a card from the queen.
120
150

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What is it illegal to do in the British House of Parliament?
talk
die
It is illegal to die in the British House of Parliament. One must wonder why that law became necessary.
breath
cough

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Which of the following countries is a commonwealth of Britain?
Canada
Canada is a British commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is the official monarch.
The United States
Mexico
Russia

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What British citizen does not have a British passport?
Justin Trudeau
Barack Obama
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II does not have a British passport. Because all British passports are issued in her name, she does not need one.
Bill Clinton

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What does the US do to their eggs that the UK does not?
sell them
wash them
Eggs are not washed in the UK. Eggs must be washed in the U.S.
hatch them
lay them

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What is the name of Prince William's wife?
Elizabeth
Mary
Catherine
Prince William's wife is Kate Middleton. Together, they are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Anne

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Who was the first female prime minister of Britain?
Angelina Jolie
Madonna
Cher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher was the first female prime minister of Britain. She was also a Baroness.

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True or false? The death penalty is legal in Britain.
True
False
This is false. The death penalty has been outlawed in Britain.

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What do the British call the restroom?
water
room
outhouse
loo
The British call the restroom the "loo." They might say, "I'm going to the loo."

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The basic unit of British money is the ____.
pence
pound
The basic monetary unit in Britain is the pound. The pound may also be referred to as British Sterling.
lira
peso

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Which of the following countries are part of Great Britain?
Britain
Wales
Scotland
All of the above
Britain, Wales, and Scotland are all part of Great Britain. The UK also includes Northern Ireland.

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Who is next in line to the British throne?
Prince Charles
Prince Charles is next in line for the throne. Charles is the father of William and Harry.
Prince William
Prince Harry
Princess Catherine

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King Richard III's bones were found where?
in a box
on a shelf
under a parking lot
King Richard III's bones were uncovered from under a parking lot. The parking lot was located where there once was a church.
in a store

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What river flows through London?
Mississippi
Missouri
Congo
Thames
The Thames river runs through London. It is the longest river in England.

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What do the British call french fries?
fingers
chips
The British call french fries "chips." They are usually larger than American fries, sort of like our "steak fries."
loos
biscuits

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What fortress is located in the middle of London?
Tower of London
The tower of London is located in the middle of London. The official name of the Tower of London is Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.
Castle Black
Franklin Castle
Thames Castle

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What is the name of the bell in the clock at Westminster Palace?
The Liberty Bell
Little Bell
Big Ben
The name of the bell in the clock at Westminster Palace is called Big Ben. Big Ben weighs more than 13 tons.
The Eye

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Who is the current prime minister of England?
Winston Churchill
Barack Obama
Theresa May
Theresa May is the current Prime Minister of England. She assumed office in 2016.
Bill Clinton

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What is the name of the Ferris wheel on the Thames?
Big Ben
The London Eye
The Ferris wheel on the Thames is called the London Eye. The London Eye opened to the public in 2000.
The Round Wheel
The Wagon Wheel

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What is the capital of England?
Miami
Seattle
London
London is the capital of England. It is also the most populated city in England.
Cleveland

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What do the British call an apartment?
house
flat
The British call an apartment a "flat." Other UK countries do this as well.
loo
finger

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Which of the following countries is NOT part of Great Britain?
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is NOT part of Great Britain. It is part of the UK, but Great Britain includes only England, Wales and Scotland.
England
Scotland
Wales

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