History questions

The World Wars Life in the UK Test Questions

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Question 1 Medium Often tested

Who discovered the penicillin in 1928?

Alexander Fleming

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 while researching influenza at St Mary's Hospital, London.

Correct answer

John McLeod

John Macleod was the co-discoverer of insulin used to treat diabetes, not penicillin.

Howard Florey

Howard Florey and Ernst Chain further developed Fleming's discovery into a usable drug in the 1940s.

Sir Robert Watson-Watt

Sir Robert Watson-Watt developed radar in the 1930s, not penicillin.

Explanation

Alexander Fleming was researching influenza (the ‘flu’) in 1928 when he discovered penicillin.

Question 2 Medium Often tested

The First World War ended at 11.00 am on 11 November 1918.

False

True

Correct answer

Explanation

The ending of the First World War on 11 November 1918 is still commemorated to this day.

Question 3 Medium Often tested

The First World War ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month in 1918

False

True

Correct answer

Explanation

The First World War ended at 11 am on 11 November 1918, remembered as the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

Question 4 Medium Often tested

Winston Churchill lost the General Election in 1945

False

True

Correct answer

Explanation

Churchill was the son of a politician and, before becoming a Conservative MP in 1900, was a soldier and journalist. In May 1940 he became Prime Minister. He refused to surrender to the Nazis and was an inspirational leader to the British people in a time of great hardship. He lost the General Election in 1945 but returned as Prime Minister in 1951.

Question 5 Medium Often tested

'We shall fight them on the beaches' is a famous quote from a speech by Queen Elizabeth I about the Spanish Armada.

False

Correct answer

True

Explanation

We shall fight them on the beaches' is a quote from a speech by Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister in 1940, about a potential German invasion.

Question 6 Medium Often tested

'We shall fight them on the beaches' is a famous quote from a speech by Queen Elizabeth II about the Spanish Armada

False

Correct answer

True

Explanation

It's a quote from a speech by Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister in 1940, about a potential German invasion

Question 7 Medium Often tested

When did Winston Churchill die?

In 1965

Churchill died in 1965 and was given a state funeral.

Correct answer

In 1955

Churchill returned as Prime Minister in 1951; he did not die in 1955.

In 1960

Churchill stood down from Parliament at the 1964 election, not 1960.

In 1964

Churchill stood down at the 1964 general election but died the following year, 1965.

Explanation

Winston Churchill died in 1965.

Question 8 Medium Often tested

In 2002, a public vote decided that Winston Churchill was the Greatest Briton of all time

False

True

Correct answer

Explanation

In 2002, Winston Churchill was voted the greatest Briton of all time by the public.

Question 9 Medium Often tested

Which of these was said by Winston Churchill?

All of the these

All three famous quotes are attributed to Churchill in his WWII speeches.

Correct answer

'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat' only

This is one Churchill quote, but he made all three listed speeches.

'We shall never surrender' only

This is one Churchill quote, but he is credited with all three.

'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few' only

This tribute to the RAF is one Churchill speech; he made all three listed.

Explanation

All three famous phrases — 'blood, toil, tears and sweat', 'we shall never surrender', and 'never in the field of human conflict' — are attributed to Winston Churchill in his Second World War speeches.

Question 10 Medium Often tested

During the ______ World War Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister

Second

Correct answer

First

Question 11 Medium

When did Adolf Hitler come to power in Germany?

1933

Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933

Correct answer

1942

By 1942 Germany was already deep into the Second World War

1931

Germany was in political turmoil but Hitler had not yet taken power

1922

Mussolini came to power in Italy in 1922, not Hitler in Germany

Explanation

Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933.

Question 12 Medium

When did the First World War end?

11th Nov 1918

The First World War ended at 11.00 am on 11 November 1918 with victory for Britain and its allies.

Correct answer

11th Dec 1918

The war ended in November, not December 1918; the Armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

9th Dec 1918

This date is incorrect on both the day and the month; the Armistice came on 11 November 1918, not in December.

9th Nov 1918

Although November 1918 is correct, the 9th is wrong; the Armistice that ended the war was signed on the 11th of November.

Explanation

The First World War ended at 11.00 am on the 11th November 1918 with victory for Britain and its allies.

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