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What the UK is made of

Study note

The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Together these four nations form a single country with one central government, even though each has its own character and traditions. This is one of the most basic facts in the whole handbook and comes up often.

It is important to know the difference between the UK and Great Britain. Great Britain refers only to England, Scotland and Wales, the three nations that share the largest island. The UK is Great Britain with Northern Ireland added. So Great Britain plus Northern Ireland equals the United Kingdom.

The Republic of Ireland is not part of the UK at all. It is a separate, independent country that shares the island of Ireland with Northern Ireland. Other places that often appear as wrong answers, such as the Isle of Man, Cornwall and the Channel Islands, are not separate countries of the UK either.

Memory tip: Great Britain = the island (England + Scotland + Wales). Add Northern Ireland to get the UK.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 9

Which four countries make up the United Kingdom?

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Show all questions and answers for What the UK is made of(9 questions with explanations)

What the UK is made of: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which four countries make up the United Kingdom?

    • England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
    • England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland
    • England, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall
    • England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man

    Correct answer: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

    The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  2. 2. The term 'Great Britain' includes Northern Ireland.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: False

    Great Britain is only England, Scotland and Wales. The UK adds Northern Ireland.

  3. 3. Which of these is NOT part of the United Kingdom?

    • Northern Ireland
    • The Republic of Ireland
    • Wales
    • Scotland

    Correct answer: The Republic of Ireland

    The Republic of Ireland is a separate, independent country, not part of the UK.

  4. 4. What do Great Britain and Northern Ireland together make up?

    • Commonwealth
    • Republic of Ireland
    • British Empire
    • United Kingdom

    Correct answer: United Kingdom

    The UK is Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) together with Northern Ireland.

  5. 5. Select TWO of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom.

    • The Isle of Man
    • The Republic of Ireland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Scotland

    Correct answer: Northern Ireland and Scotland

    Scotland and Northern Ireland are two of the four UK countries.

  6. 6. Wales is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Wales is one of the four countries of the UK.

  7. 7. Which three countries does 'Great Britain' refer to?

    • England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
    • England, Scotland and Wales
    • England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland
    • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

    Correct answer: England, Scotland and Wales

    Great Britain refers to England, Scotland and Wales only.

  8. 8. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales
    • Great Britain includes Northern Ireland

    Correct answer: Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales

    Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales. Adding Northern Ireland makes the UK.

  9. 9. Which of these is NOT one of the four countries of the UK?

    • England
    • The Republic of Ireland
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland

    Correct answer: The Republic of Ireland

    The Republic of Ireland is a separate, independent country. The UK is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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