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.

Who was the first British prime minister?
Bill Clinton
Barack Obama
Robert Walpole
George Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Robert Walpole was the first British Prime Minister. He served from 1721 to 1742.

Advertisement

What percentage of the population was killed in the Black Death?
20%
40%
60%
80%
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

Advertisement

What document helped establish the British Parliament?
NAFTA
The Constitution
Magna Carta
The Bill of Rights
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Magna Carta helped establish the British Parliament. The Magna Carta was signed in 1215.

Advertisement

Serfdom was common under what British system?
Suffrage
Sexism
Feudalism
Ageism
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Serfdom was common under Feudalism. Feudalism was once common in all of Europe.

Advertisement

What Irish event resulted in the deaths of about one million people?
Boston Tea Party
Korean War
Potato Famine
War of 1812
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

Advertisement

Which of the following was a British colony?
Bermuda
United States
Hong Kong
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

Advertisement

What British queen is the head of state of Canada?
Henry VIII
George I
John V
Elizabeth II
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Elizabeth II is the Head of State of Canada. Canada is a commonwealth of Britain.

Advertisement

What do the British call cookies?
blobs
biscuits
tads
fingers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The British call cookies "biscuits." This is the case throughout the UK.

Advertisement

Which of the following is the national dish of Scotland but is enjoyed in Britain?
french fries
haggis
eggs
potatoes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

Advertisement

British author Mary Shelley wrote what famous novel?
Huckleberry Finn
Cujo
Carrie
Frankenstein
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Shelley published the novel anonymously when she was only 20.

Advertisement

How old do you have to be to receive a personalized card from Queen Elizabeth II?
50
100
120
150
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

Advertisement

What is it illegal to do in the British House of Parliament?
talk
die
breath
cough
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is illegal to die in the British House of Parliament. One must wonder why that law became necessary.

Advertisement

Which of the following countries is a commonwealth of Britain?
Canada
The United States
Mexico
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada is a British commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is the official monarch.

Advertisement

What British citizen does not have a British passport?
Justin Trudeau
Barack Obama
Queen Elizabeth II
Bill Clinton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Queen Elizabeth II does not have a British passport. Because all British passports are issued in her name, she does not need one.

Advertisement

What does the US do to their eggs that the UK does not?
sell them
wash them
hatch them
lay them
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Eggs are not washed in the UK. Eggs must be washed in the U.S.

Advertisement

What is the name of Prince William's wife?
Elizabeth
Mary
Catherine
Anne
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prince William's wife is Kate Middleton. Together, they are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Advertisement

Who was the first female prime minister of Britain?
Angelina Jolie
Madonna
Cher
Margaret Thatcher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Margaret Thatcher was the first female prime minister of Britain. She was also a Baroness.

Advertisement

True or false? The death penalty is legal in Britain.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is false. The death penalty has been outlawed in Britain.

Advertisement

What do the British call the restroom?
water
room
outhouse
loo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The British call the restroom the "loo." They might say, "I'm going to the loo."

Advertisement

The basic unit of British money is the ____.
pence
pound
lira
peso
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The basic monetary unit in Britain is the pound. The pound may also be referred to as British Sterling.

Advertisement

Which of the following countries are part of the UK?
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all part of the UK.

Advertisement

Who is next in line to the British throne?
Prince Charles
Prince William
Prince Harry
Princess Catherine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prince Charles is next in line for the throne. Charles is the father of William and Harry.

Advertisement

King Richard III's bones were found where?
in a box
on a shelf
under a parking lot
in a store
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Richard III's bones were uncovered from under a parking lot. The parking lot was located where there once was a church.

Advertisement

What river flows through London?
Mississippi
Missouri
Congo
Thames
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Thames river runs through London. It is the longest river in England.

Advertisement

What do the British call french fries?
fingers
chips
loos
biscuits
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The British call french fries "chips." They are usually larger than American fries, sort of like our "steak fries."

Advertisement

What fortress is located in the middle of London?
Tower of London
Castle Black
Franklin Castle
Thames Castle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

Advertisement

What is the name of the bell in the clock at Westminster Palace?
The Liberty Bell
Little Bell
Big Ben
The Eye
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The name of the bell in the clock at Westminster Palace is called Big Ben. Big Ben weighs more than 13 tons.

Advertisement

What is the name of the Ferris wheel on the Thames?
Big Ben
The London Eye
The Round Wheel
The Wagon Wheel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ferris wheel on the Thames is called the London Eye. The London Eye opened to the public in 2000.

Advertisement

What is the capital of England?
Miami
Seattle
London
Cleveland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

London is the capital of England. It is also the most populated city in England.

Advertisement

What do the British call an apartment?
house
flat
loo
finger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The British call an apartment a "flat." Other UK countries do this as well.

Advertisement

Which of the following countries is NOT part of Great Britain?
Northern Ireland
England
Scotland
Wales
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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

Advertisement

What British king established the Church of England?
Elizabeth I
George III
Henry VIII
Mary IV
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Henry VIII established the Church of England. He broke with the Catholic church so he could marry Anne Boleyn.

Advertisement

What country/countries make up the UK?
Britain
Scotland
Northern Ireland
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Britain, Scotland and Northern Ireland are all part of the UK. Wales is also part of the UK.

Advertisement

Who is the current prime minister of England?
Winston Churchill
Barack Obama
Theresa May
Bill Clinton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Theresa May is the current Prime Minister of England. She assumed office in 2016.

Advertisement

When did England take over Wales?
596
1282
1776
1920
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

England conquered Wales in 1282. The country was conquered by British King Edward I.

Advertisement

You Got:
/35
shutterstock