Society & Culture questions

Sport Life in the UK Test Questions

Use these examples to check whether the topic has stuck. Review why each answer is right or wrong, then start the drill when you are ready to answer without hints.

Start focused drill Study the topic

Question 1 Medium

Which TWO universities compete in the annual boat race?

Cambridge

Cambridge University competes in the annual Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames.

Correct answer

Oxford

Oxford University has raced Cambridge on the Thames every year since 1856.

Correct answer

Imperial

Imperial College London is a major university but does not compete in this race.

UCL

University College London does not take part in the Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race.

Explanation

The annual Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race is held on the River Thames. It has taken place nearly every year since 1856.

Question 2 Medium

Royal Ascot is a four-day horse race meeting in Berkshire attended by members of the Royal Family:

False

Correct answer

True

Explanation

False. Royal Ascot is a five-day horse-racing meeting in Berkshire attended by members of the Royal Family.

Question 3 Easy

Which two universities participate in an annual rowing race that takes place on the River Thames?

The University of Manchester

Manchester does not take part in the annual Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames.

The University of Warwick

Warwick does not participate in the annual University Boat Race.

The University of Cambridge

Cambridge has raced Oxford on the Thames annually since 1829 in the famous University Boat Race.

Correct answer

The University of Oxford

Oxford has competed against Cambridge in the annual Boat Race on the River Thames since 1829.

Correct answer

Explanation

Rowing is also popular, both as a leisure activity and as a competitive sport. There is a popular yearly race on the Thames between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Question 4 Medium

Which TWO of the following water sports are popular in the UK?

Rowing

There is a famous yearly Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race on the River Thames.

Correct answer

Surfing

Surfing is not highlighted as a popular UK water sport in the handbook.

Sailing

Sailing reflects the UK's maritime heritage; famous events are held at Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Correct answer

Waterpolo

Water polo is not cited as a popular UK water sport in the handbook.

Explanation

Sailing continues to be popular in the UK, reflecting its maritime heritage. Rowing is also popular, both as a leisure activity and as a competitive sport.

Question 5 Medium

Who was the first person to sail single-handed around the world in 1966/67?

Sir Francis Chichester

Chichester sailed single-handed around the world in 1966/67, passing the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.

Correct answer

Sir Francis Drake

Drake circumnavigated the globe in 1577–80 but did not do it single-handed.

Dame Ellen MacArthur

MacArthur became the fastest solo circumnavigator in 2004, two years after Knox-Johnston.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

Knox-Johnston was the first to sail single-handed non-stop, two years after Chichester.

Explanation

A British sailor, Sir Francis Chichester, was the first person to sail singlehanded around the world, in 1966/67.

Question 6 Medium

How many Formula 1 Grand Prix events are held in the UK every year?

Two

Only one Formula 1 Grand Prix is held in the UK per year.

Three

Only one Formula 1 Grand Prix is held in the UK per year.

Four

Only one Formula 1 Grand Prix is held in the UK per year.

One

One Formula 1 Grand Prix is held in the UK each year, at Silverstone.

Correct answer

Explanation

A Formula 1 Grand Prix event is held in the UK each year and a number of British Grand Prix drivers have won the Formula 1 World Championship.

Question 7 Medium

Which of the following sports can be traced as far back as the Roman times?

Horse racing

Evidence of horse racing in Britain dates back to Roman times

Correct answer

Pool

Pool is a pub game with no documented history tracing to Roman times

Football

Professional football clubs were first formed in Britain in the late 19th century

Tennis

Modern tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century

Explanation

There is a very long history of horse racing in Britain, with evidence of events taking place as far back as Roman times.

Question 8 Easy

Where does golf come from?

Australia

Australia has a strong golfing tradition but the modern game traces its origins to Scotland.

Ireland

Ireland has produced many great golfers, but the modern game originated in 15th-century Scotland.

Scotland

The modern game of golf can be traced back to 15th-century Scotland; St Andrews is its home.

Correct answer

Wales

Wales has golf courses throughout the country, but golf's origins lie in 15th-century Scotland.

Explanation

The modern game of golf can be traced back to 15th century Scotland.

Question 9 Medium

Where is the National Horseracing Museum located?

St Andrews, Scotland

St Andrews is the home of golf, not horse racing.

Aintree near Liverpool

Aintree hosts the Grand National, not the Horseracing Museum.

Newmarket, Suffolk

Newmarket has been the centre of British horse racing for centuries.

Correct answer

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital; it has no national horseracing museum.

Explanation

The National Horseracing Museum is located in Newmarket, Suffolk.

Question 10 Medium

Where is the five-day race meeting attended by members of the Royal Family and known as Royal Ascot celebrated?

In Salisbury

Salisbury is known for its cathedral and Stonehenge; Royal Ascot is in Berkshire.

In Kent

Kent is in south-east England; Royal Ascot is held in Berkshire.

In Berkshire

Royal Ascot, the five-day race meeting attended by the Royal Family, is held in Berkshire.

Correct answer

In Luton

Luton is in Bedfordshire; Royal Ascot is in Berkshire.

Explanation

Royal Ascot, the five-day race meeting attended by members of the Royal Family, takes place in Berkshire.

Question 11 Easy

What sort of event is the Grand National?

Golf

Golf's most prestigious UK event is The Open Championship, not the Grand National

Horse Racing

The Grand National is a famous horse racing event held at Aintree near Liverpool

Correct answer

Tennis

Wimbledon is Britain's famous tennis event; the Grand National has no connection to tennis

Rugby

The Six Nations is the top rugby competition; the Grand National is an entirely different sport

Explanation

The Grand National is a horse racing event.

Question 12 Easy

Which of the following is a major horse-racing event in England?

Royal Ascot

Five-day horse-racing meeting in Berkshire attended by the Royal Family

Correct answer

The Open Championship

The only golf Major held outside the United States, not horse racing

The Six Nations Championship

Annual rugby union tournament between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy

The Wimbledon Championship

The oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament, held on grass in London

Explanation

Famous horse-racing events include: 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.

Ready to answer without hints?

The drill pulls from this topic's question set and gives instant feedback, so you can fix mistakes before moving on to the next topic.

Start focused drill Return to Sport