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The official name of the UK

Study note

The country has a full, official name that is longer than the everyday version most people use. The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In daily life this is usually shortened simply to the United Kingdom, or the UK.

The name itself reflects how the country is put together. Great Britain refers to England, Scotland and Wales, the three nations sharing the largest island, and Northern Ireland is then added to complete the United Kingdom. So the full name is really Great Britain joined with Northern Ireland.

For the test, be ready to pick the full official name out of a list. The correct answer is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Names such as the United Kingdom of England and Wales, the British Republic or the Kingdom of England are wrong.

Memory tip: Full name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 3

What is the full official name of the UK?

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Show all questions and answers for The official name of the UK(3 questions with explanations)

The official name of the UK: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What is the full official name of the UK?

    • The Kingdom of England
    • The British Republic
    • The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    • The United Kingdom of England and Wales

    Correct answer: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

    The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

  2. 2. 'Great Britain' refers only to England, Scotland and Wales.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales; adding Northern Ireland makes the UK.

  3. 3. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and which other place make up the country's full official name?

    • the Channel Islands
    • Northern Ireland
    • the Isle of Man
    • the Republic of Ireland

    Correct answer: Northern Ireland

    The full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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