Life in the UK test: Traditions and national days practice questions

Learn the four saints with their dates: George 23 April, Andrew 30 November, David 1 March, Patrick 17 March. Keep 5 November (the Gunpowder Plot) well apart from 11 November (remembrance).

Question 1

On which date is St Andrew's Day, the national day of Scotland?

  1. 23 April
  2. 1 March
  3. 30 November
  4. 17 March

Answer: 30 November

St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and his day is 30 November. St George's Day is 23 April, St David's Day is 1 March, and St Patrick's Day is 17 March.

Question 2

Red poppies, worn in the weeks before 11 November, are a sign of remembrance for whom?

  1. People who died in war
  2. The conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot
  3. The start of the Christian season of Lent
  4. A British victory at Trafalgar

Answer: People who died in war

Red poppies, worn near 11 November, are a sign of remembrance for those who died in war. Bonfires on 5 November mark the Gunpowder Plot, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and Trafalgar is not what the poppy stands for.

Question 3

What is Hogmanay?

  1. The national festival of Welsh poetry and music
  2. The rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge
  3. A public holiday held only on 1 March
  4. Scotland's celebration of New Year

Answer: Scotland's celebration of New Year

Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year. The poetry and music festival is the National Eisteddfod of Wales, the rowing race is the Boat Race, and 1 March is St David's Day.