The United Kingdom

Question 0

Define Great Britain.

Answer 0

Great Britain is the largest island, consisting of 3 countries: England, Wales and Scotland. Ireland is divided into 2 countries: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Question 1

Define ‘British Isles’

Answer 1

The British Isles consist of two large islands. These are called Great Britain and Ireland.

Question 2

Define ‘United Kingdom’

Answer 2

The United Kingdom consists of 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is an independent country.

Question 3

What is a ‘physical map’ of the UK?

Answer 3

It’s a map that shows the main sea areas, the largest islands, longest rivers and mountain areas.

Question 4

Describe the main physical features of the UK

Answer 4

Most of the north and west is mountainous with rugged mountain peaks and deep, often lake-filled, valleys.
Most of the south and east is low-lying. It has wide river valleys and rolling hills.

Question 5

Name a few of the UK tallest mountains.

Answer 5

Ben Nevis (1342m), Scotland
Snowdon (1085m), Wales
Scafell Pike (978m), England
Slieve Donard (852m), Northern Ireland

Question 6

Can you describe the climate in the UK?

Answer 6

The UK climate varies considerably: Temperatures are usually higher in the south of England than the north of Scotland. Rain can fall at any time of the year (helas!) but is often greater in the west of Britain than in the east.

Question 7

The UK has a variable climate. What does that mean?

Answer 7

The weather often changes from day to day.

Question 8

The climate in the UK is temperate. What does that mean?

Answer 8

‘Temperate’ means: warm summers, mild winters and some rain falling throughout the year. (We usually don’t have weather extremes here, but the frequency and severity of flooding and storms does seem to have increased in recent years).

Question 9

Name the 4 countries of the UK.

Answer 9

Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England.

Question 10

The 4 countries are sub-divided into administrative regions. Why?

Answer 10

To collect information and statistics and to compare the different regions with each other.

Question 11

How is the UK divided?

Answer 11

Countries - regions - counties - district - parish

Question 12

What are counties?

Answer 12

Counties are a sub-division of regions. They have a local government.

Question 13

What is ‘migration’?

Answer 13

The movement of people from one place to another.

Question 14

Why do people move from one place to another?

Answer 14

Sometimes because they want to and sometimes because they are forced to.

Question 15

Early migrants into Britain were….?

Answer 15

The Vikings, Angels and Saxons, Celts, Romans and in 1066 the Normans. They were ‘invaders’.

Question 16

What is voluntary migration?

Answer 16

It’s when people choose to move.

Question 17

Name reasons for voluntary migration.

Answer 17

To improve their standard of living (better paid jobs) or the quality of life (retiring to better climate, living/working in better environment)

Question 18

What is forced migration.

Answer 18

It’s when people have little or no choice but have to move.

Question 19

Name reasons for forced migration.

Answer 19

Natural disasters (earthquakes floods etc), economic, social or political pressure (war, famine, religious or political prosecution)

Question 20

What are immigrants?

Answer 20

People who move into the UK.

Question 21

What are emigrants?

Answer 21

People who move out of the UK.

Question 22

What is a multicultural society?

Answer 22

It is a society with a mix of people with different religions, culture and languages.

Question 23

Why do a lot of immigrants to Britain come from the EU?

Answer 23

Because Britain is part of the EU and it is easy for people to move from one EU country to another (ie Dad working in Belgium).

Question 24

What is a refugee?

Answer 24

Somebody who comes to Britain because he/she is threatened in their own country.

Question 25

What is an asylum seeker?

Answer 25

Somebody who is in danger in his own country and wants to move to another country where he will be safe.

Question 26

The UK is a wealthy country because of the growth of industry and the trade with other countries. Who is the UK’s most important trading partner?

Answer 26

The European Union

Question 27

There are 3 different types of industry in a country: Primary, secondary and tertiary. Can you explain?

Answer 27

Primary industries involve people collecting natural resources (coal, fish, farm produce). Secondary (manufacturing) industries make things from natural resources (boat building, car industry etc). Tertiary industries provide a service. They help people (teachers, nurse, doctors, banking sector etc)

Question 28

In which industries do people earn the most money?

Answer 28

Secondary and tertiary industries.

Question 29

What is meant by ‘standard of living’ and ‘quality of life’?

Answer 29

It means that people have enough money to live comfortably and that there is good health care and education.

Question 30

What is a developed country?

Answer 30

The UK is a developed country. It is rich, has many services and a high standard of living.

Question 31

Generally speaking, the UK is rich, but there are big differences within the UK. Where do you earn the most and where the least?

Answer 31

In London and the south, wages are the highest. In the north of England and Scotland they are average. In Wales and Northern Ireland, wages are the lowest.

Question 32

Where is Wales on the map? Describe the physical and employment features of Wales.

Answer 32

Mainly highland with mountains in the north. Heavy rainfall all year. Warm summers, mild winters. Colder in highland areas. Most people live in south (secondary and tertiary industry), elsewhere mainly rural (primary industry).

Question 33

Where is South West England on the map? Describe the physical and employment features of that region.

Answer 33

Hills & moorland. Heavy rain. Warm summers, very mild winters. Mainly rural with some urban centres. Mainly primary and service industries (tourism).

Question 34

Where is Scotland on the map? Describe the physical and employment features of Scotland.

Answer 34

Mostly mountainous, but central area is lower which is where most people live (secondary and service industry). Elsewhere is rural (primary industries). Heavy rain all year, snow in highest areas. Cool summers, mild winters.

Question 35

Where is North East England on the map? Describe the physical and employment features of that region.

Answer 35

Low-lying, apart from Pennines in the west. Light rain. Cool summers, cold winters. Many large urban areas. Decline in primary and secondary industries, increase in service activities.

Question 36

Where is North West England on the map? Describe the physical and employment features of that region.

Answer 36

Some mountains. Heavy rainfall all year. Cool summers, mild winters. South and west mainly urban (secondary industries). North and east mostly rural (primary). Services widespread.

Question 37

Where is South East England on the map? Describe the physical and employment features of that region.

Answer 37

Mainly low-lying with gentle hills. Several long rivers (Thames). Cold winters, warm summers, some rain all year. Both urban and rural. Many service activities, few primary and secondary.

Question 38

What is the ‘local environment’?

Answer 38

It is the place in which we live, work and play.

Question 39

What is an environmental survey?

Answer 39

It measures the quality of a particular area.

Question 40

Name a few features which could be found in an environmental survey.

Answer 40

attractive/ugly, quiet/noise, tidy/untidy, safe/dangerous, few/many cars, good/poor shopping, good/poor parking, open spaces, entertainment etc.

Question 41

What is quality of life?

Answer 41

How content we are with our lives and the environment in which we live.

Question 42

How can you measure quality of life?

Answer 42

By traffic congestion, air pollution, crime, street cleanliness, race relations, community spirit, affordable housing, jobs, health services, parks, shops, schools, public transport, sports and leisure facilities etc.