A modern, thriving society flashcards

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On what date is Bonfire Night celebrated in the United Kingdom?

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5 November — Bonfire Night is held on 5 November each year to commemorate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

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The Gunpowder Plot, which Bonfire Night commemorates, was a failed attempt to blow up which building?

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The Houses of Parliament — Guy Fawkes and his conspirators planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament in November 1605.

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Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November. What event does it primarily mark?

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The armistice that ended the First World War — Remembrance Day marks the armistice signed on 11 November 1918 that ended the First World War.

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Which flower is worn as a symbol of remembrance in the UK during the period leading up to 11 November?

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Red poppy — The red poppy is worn in the weeks before Remembrance Day as a symbol of respect for those who died in war.

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At what time do people in the UK observe a two-minute silence on Remembrance Day?

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11:00 am — A two-minute silence is held at 11 am on 11 November to honour those who died in conflict.

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Diwali is a Hindu festival that is also celebrated by Sikhs and is sometimes called the Festival of Lights.

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True — Diwali is observed by Hindus and Sikhs alike and is widely known as the Festival of Lights.

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Halloween falls on 31 October. Which ancient Celtic festival is it believed to have its roots in?

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Samhain — Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people believed the spirits of the dead walked the earth.

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Which Christian season immediately precedes Christmas and is observed as a period of preparation and reflection?

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Advent — Advent is the Christian season of preparation before Christmas, beginning four Sundays before 25 December.

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The Muslim holy month of fasting, during which Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset, is called what?

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Ramadan — Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting observed by Muslims, who abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.

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Eid ul-Fitr is the Muslim festival that marks which occasion?

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The end of Ramadan — Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan to mark the breaking of the fast.

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In the UK, New Year's Day on 1 January is a public holiday.

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True — 1 January, New Year's Day, is a bank holiday (public holiday) throughout the United Kingdom.

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The Hogmanay celebration, involving street parties and the singing of 'Auld Lang Syne', is primarily associated with which part of the UK?

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Scotland — Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year celebration, famous for its street parties and the singing of 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight.

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Which TWO of the following are typically associated with Easter traditions in the United Kingdom?

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Giving chocolate eggs, Eating hot cross buns — Easter in the UK is associated with giving chocolate eggs and eating hot cross buns, both longstanding seasonal traditions.

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Which Jewish festival, lasting eight days, involves the lighting of a special candelabrum called a menorah?

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Hanukkah — Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights during which a menorah is lit, adding one candle each night.

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Guy Fawkes is burned in effigy on Bonfire Night to celebrate his successful attack on Parliament.

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False — Guy Fawkes is burned in effigy to mark the failure of the Gunpowder Plot — not its success; Fawkes was captured before the plot could be carried out.

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The Sikh festival of Vaisakhi, celebrated in April, commemorates the founding of which Sikh institution?

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The Khalsa — Vaisakhi celebrates the founding of the Khalsa — the Sikh community of initiated Sikhs — by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

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Which TWO of the following are public (bank) holidays observed across the whole United Kingdom?

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Christmas Day (25 December), Good Friday — Christmas Day and Good Friday are bank holidays across the entire United Kingdom; St George's Day and Burns Night are not bank holidays.

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Mothering Sunday in the UK traditionally falls on which day?

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The fourth Sunday of Lent — Mothering Sunday is held on the fourth Sunday of Lent, when people traditionally visit and give gifts to their mothers.

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Valentine's Day on 14 February is associated with which tradition in the UK?

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Sending cards or gifts to a loved one — Valentine's Day on 14 February is the occasion when people send cards, flowers, or gifts to express affection for a partner or admirer.

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The 'Night of Power' (Laylat al-Qadr), considered the holiest night of the Islamic calendar, falls during which month?

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Ramadan — Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, is observed during Ramadan and marks the night the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

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Which sport's governing body, the Football Association (FA), was established in England in 1863, making it the oldest in the world?

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Association football — The Football Association (FA), founded in 1863, is the oldest football association in the world.

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The FA Cup is a football knockout competition open to teams across England. What is notable about it?

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It is the oldest football competition in the world — The FA Cup, first held in 1871–72, is the oldest football knockout competition in the world.

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England won the FIFA World Cup in 1966, hosting the tournament at Wembley Stadium.

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True — England won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, which was held in England, with the final played at Wembley Stadium.

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Which country does NOT have its own separate national football team that competes in international competitions?

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Great Britain — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own national football teams; there is no single 'Great Britain' team in international football.

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Cricket is a sport with major international competitions. What format of cricket is played over five days between national teams?

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Test cricket — Test cricket is the longest format of the game, played over up to five days between national sides.

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The Ashes is a famous cricket series contested between England and which other country?

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Australia — The Ashes is a historic Test cricket series played between England and Australia.

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Rugby union and rugby league are both played in the UK. Which of the following correctly describes a difference between them?

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Rugby union teams have 15 players; rugby league teams have 13 — Rugby union is played with 15 players per side, while rugby league is played with 13 players per side.

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Rugby union originated in Scotland when a pupil at Edinburgh Academy picked up the ball and ran with it during a football match.

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False — According to tradition, rugby originated in England when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a game at Rugby School in 1823.

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The annual tennis tournament held at Wimbledon in London is regarded as the most prestigious in the world. How long has it been held?

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Since 1877 — Wimbledon has been held since 1877, making it the oldest tennis Grand Slam tournament.

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Andy Murray became the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title in how many years when he won in 2013?

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77 years — Andy Murray's 2013 Wimbledon title was the first by a British man in 77 years, since Fred Perry won in 1936.

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In which year did London host the Olympic Games for the third time, also incorporating the Paralympic Games?

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2012 — London hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, becoming the first city to host the Olympics three times.

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In which TWO other years did London previously host the Olympic Games before 2012?

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1908, 1948 — London hosted the Olympics in 1908 and 1948, in addition to hosting them again in 2012.

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Sir Roger Bannister was the first person to run a mile in under four minutes.

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True — Sir Roger Bannister achieved the first sub-four-minute mile on 6 May 1954 in Oxford.

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Sir Steve Redgrave is celebrated as one of Britain's greatest Olympians. In which sport did he win five consecutive Olympic gold medals?

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Rowing — Sir Steve Redgrave won five Olympic gold medals in rowing at consecutive Games from 1984 to 2000.

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Which British cyclist became the first Briton to win the Tour de France, in 2012?

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Sir Bradley Wiggins — Sir Bradley Wiggins, an English cyclist, won the Tour de France in 2012, becoming the first British rider ever to win the race.

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Which sport do the teams the All Blacks and the Springboks represent at international level?

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Rugby union — The All Blacks (New Zealand) and Springboks (South Africa) are the national rugby union teams of those countries.

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Which TWO of the following are correct statements about cricket in the UK?

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Cricket is thought to have originated in south-east England, Cricket has been played in the UK for hundreds of years — Cricket is believed to have originated in south-east England and has been played in the UK for hundreds of years.

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The Six Nations Championship is an annual rugby union competition. Which of the following is one of the six competing nations?

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Italy — The Six Nations Championship is contested by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy.

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Formula 1 motor racing has no connection to the UK; the sport was founded in Germany and all major teams are based on the European mainland.

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False — The UK has a strong Formula 1 heritage, with many leading teams based in Britain and British drivers such as Damon Hill and Lewis Hamilton winning world championships.

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Which British athlete is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time after winning multiple Olympic gold medals in middle-distance running in the early 1980s?

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Sebastian Coe — Sebastian Coe won Olympic gold in the 1500 metres at both the 1980 and 1984 Games and is considered one of Britain's greatest ever middle-distance runners.