The four nations, regions and languages
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland — four nations, one Union. Capitals, languages, flags and the difference between Great Britain, the British Isles and the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom vs Great Britain vs British Isles
The United Kingdom = England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain = England, Scotland and Wales (the largest island, no NI). The British Isles also include the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Capital cities
London (England), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales since 1955) and Belfast (Northern Ireland). Expect at least one capitals question on every test.
Languages with official status
English is the main language. Welsh has official status in Wales (and is on every road sign). Scottish Gaelic is officially recognised in Scotland. Cornish and Ulster Scots are protected but not official.
The Union Flag
Combines the crosses of St George (England), St Andrew (Scotland) and St Patrick (Ireland). Wales is not represented because it was already united with England when the flag was designed.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the British citizenship test?
How much does the official UK citizenship test cost?
What is the pass mark for the Life in the UK test?
Is the British citizenship test hard?
Which book does the test come from?
Take a real test on What is the UK?
Our 45 practice tests rotate every topic — including this one — in the official 24-question format.