A modern, thriving society Flashcards
What are the main religions in the UK?
The UK is historically a Christian country. In the 2011 Census, 59% of people identified themselves as Christian. Much smaller proportions identified themselves as Muslim (4.8%), Hindu (1.5%), Sikh (0.8%) and Jewish or Buddhist (both less than 0.5%). There are religious buildings for other religions all over the UK. This includes Islamic mosques, Hindu temples, Jewish synagogues, Sikh gurdwaras and Buddhist temples. However, everyone has the legal right to choose their religion, or to choose not to practise a religion. In the 2011 census, 25% of people said they had no religion.
What are the patron saints days for each country in the UK?
- 1 March: St David’s Day, Wales
- 17 March: St Patrick’s Day, Northern Ireland
- 23 April: St George’s Day, England
- 30 November: St Andrew’s Day, Scotland.
What are the state churches of each country in the UK?
- England: CoE
- Scotland: Presbyterian
- Wales: None
- Northern Ireland: none
What are other religious festivals in the UK?
- Diwali: Normally falls in October or November and lasts for five days. It is often called the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs.
- Hannukah: is in November or December and is celebrated for eight days. It is to remember the Jews’ struggle for religious freedom.
- Eid al-Fitr: celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month.
- Eid ul Adha: remembers that the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to.
- Vaisakhi (also spelled Baisakhi) is a Sikh festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa.
How many times and in what years has the UK hosted the Olympic games?
The UK has hosted the Olympic Games on three occasions: 1908, 1948 and 2012.
Who started the Paralympics?
he Paralympics have their origin in the work of Dr Sir Ludwig Guttman, a German refugee, at the Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire. Dr Guttman developed new methods of treatment for people with spinal injuries and encouraged patients to take part in exercise and sport.
Who was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes, in 1954.
Sir Roger Bannister (1929–2018)
Who is a Scottish former racing driver who won the Formula 1 world championship three times.
Sir Jackie Stewart (1939–)
Who was Baron (Ian) Botham (1955–)?
He captained the English cricket team and held a number of English Test cricket records, both for batting and for bowling.
Who captained the English football team that won the World Cup in 1966.
Bobby Moore (1941–93)
Who was Jayne Torvill (1957–) and Christopher Dean (1958–)
He won gold medals for ice dancing at the Olympic Games in 1984 and in four consecutive world championships.
Who was Sir Steve Redgrave (1962–)
He won gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympic Games and is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians.
Who is an athlete who uses a wheelchair and won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 gold medals, in races over five Paralympic Games. She won the London Marathon six times and broke a total of 30 world records.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (1969–)
Who won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic Games. She has held a number of British and European records.
Dame Kelly Holmes (1970–)
Who is Sir Chris Hoy (1976–)
He is a Scottish cyclist who has won six gold and one silver Olympic medals. He has also won 11 world championship titles.
Who is the yachtswoman and in 2004 became the fastest person to sail around the world singlehanded.
Dame Ellen MacArthur (1976–)
Who is a Paralympian who uses a wheelchair and has won six gold medals over two Paralympic Games. He has also won the London Marathon six times.
David Weir (1979–)
Who is Sir Bradley Wiggins (1980–)
He is a cyclist. In 2012, he became the first Briton to win the Tour de France. He has won eight Olympic medals, including gold in the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Who is the British distance runner, born in Somalia. He won gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics for the 5,000 and 10,000 metres and is the first Briton to win the Olympic gold medal in the 10,000 metres.
Sir Mo Farah (1983–)
Who is Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill (1986–)?
She is an athlete. She won the 2012 Olympic gold medal in the heptathlon and the silver medal in the 2016 Olympic Games, which includes seven different track and field events. She also holds a number of British athletics records.
Name the Scottish tennis player who in 2012 won the men’s singles in the US Open. He is the first British man to win a singles title in a Grand Slam tournament since 1936. In the same year, he won Olympic gold and silver medals. In 2013 and 2016 he won the men’s singles at Wimbledon. He also went on to win gold at the 2016 Olympics.
Sir Andy Murray (1987–)
Who is Ellie Simmonds (1994–)?
She is a Paralympian who won gold medals for swimming at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. and holds a number of world records. She was the youngest member of the British team at the 2008 Games.
Where did Cricket first originate?
Cricket originated in England and is now played in many countries.
What is the UK’s most popular sport?
Football is the UK’s most popular sport. It has a long history in the UK and the first professional football clubs were formed in the late 19th century.
Where and when did Rugby originate?
Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century and is very popular in the UK today. There are two different types of rugby, which have different rules: union and league. Both have separate leagues and national teams in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (who play with the Irish Republic).
Name three famous horse races held in the UK?
Royal Ascot, a five-day race meeting in Berkshire attended by members of the Royal Family; the Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool; and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Where and when was Golf started?
The modern game of golf can be traced back to 15th century Scotland.
What is the significance of St Andrews to Golf?
St Andrews in Scotland is known as the home of golf.
Where and when was Tennis created?
Modern tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century. The first tennis club was founded in Leamington Spa in 1872.
What is unique about Wimbledon in terms of Grand Slam tournaments?
It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only ‘Grand Slam’ event played on grass.
Who was the first person to sail around the world solo?
And who was the first to sail around the world solo without stopping?
A British sailor, Sir Francis Chichester, was the first person to sail single-handed around the world passing the Cape of Good Hope (Africa) and Cape Horn (South America), in 1966/67.
Two years later, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to do this without stopping.
When did Motor car racing begin in the UK?
Motor-car racing in the UK started in 1902.
Name three recent British F1 world champions
Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
What is The Proms?
The Proms is an eight-week summer season of orchestral classical music that takes place in various venues, including the Royal Albert Hall in London. It has been organised by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) since 1927. The Last Night of the Proms is the most well-known concert and (along with others in the series) is broadcast on television.
Who was Henry Purcell?
Henry Purcell (1659–95) was the organist at Westminster Abbey. He wrote church music, operas and other pieces, and developed a British style distinct from that elsewhere in Europe. He continues to be influential on British composers.
Who was George Frederick Handel?
George Frederick Handel (1685–1759) spent many years in the UK and became a British citizen in 1727. He wrote the Water Music for King George I and Music for the Royal Fireworks for his son, George II. Both these pieces continue to be very popular. Handel also wrote an oratorio, Messiah, which is sung regularly by choirs, often at Easter time.
Who was Gustav Holst?
Gustav Holst (1874–1934), whose work includes The Planets, a suite of pieces themed around the planets of the solar system. He adapted Jupiter, part of The Planets Suite, as the tune for I vow to thee my country, a popular hymn in British churches.
Who was Sir Edward Elgar?
Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934) was born in Worcester, England. His best-known work is probably the Pomp and Circumstance Marches. March No 1 (Land of Hope and Glory) is usually played at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Who was Ralph Vaughan Williams?
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) wrote music for orchestras and choirs. He was strongly influenced by traditional English folk music.
Who was Sir William Walton?
Sir William Walton (1902–83) wrote a wide range of music, from film scores to opera. He wrote marches for the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II but his best-known works are probably Façade, which became a ballet, and Belshazzar’s Feast, which is intended to be sung by a large choir.
Who was Benjamin Britten?
Benjamin Britten (1913–76) is best known for his operas, which include Peter Grimes and Billy Budd. He also wrote A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, which is based on a piece of music by Purcell and introduces the listener to the various different sections of an orchestra. He founded the Aldeburgh festival in Suffolk, which continues to be a popular music event of international importance.
What is the Mercury prize?
The Mercury Prize is awarded each September for the best album from the UK and Ireland. The Brit Awards is an annual event that gives awards in a range of categories, such as best British group and best British solo artist.
What is the Laurence Olivier awards?
The Laurence Olivier Awards take place annually at different venues in London. There are a variety of categories, including best director, best actor and best actress. The awards are named after the British actor Sir Laurence Olivier, later Lord Olivier, who was best known for his roles in various Shakespeare plays.
What is the Turner Prize?
The Turner Prize is recognised as one of the most prestigious visual art awards. Previous winners include Damien Hirst and Richard Wright.
What is the Booker Prize?
The Booker Prize for Fiction is awarded annually for the best fiction novel written in English and published in the UK and Ireland. It has been awarded since 1968. Past winners include Ian McEwan, Hilary Mantel and Julian Barnes.
