Life in the UK Test
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Major cities

Study note

Besides the four capital cities, the UK has many other large cities, especially in England. Well known English cities include Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol. These are major centres of population, business and culture across the country.

One detail the test likes to check is the difference between a capital and the biggest city. In Scotland, the capital is Edinburgh, but the largest city is actually Glasgow. So Glasgow is Scotland's biggest city even though it is not the capital.

Take care not to confuse cities in different nations. Manchester is in England, while Cardiff and Belfast are the capitals of Wales and Northern Ireland, and Dublin is in the separate Republic of Ireland. If a question asks for a large city in England, Manchester is a safe answer.

Memory tip: Glasgow is Scotland's biggest city, but Edinburgh is the capital.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 3

Which is the largest city in Scotland?

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Show all questions and answers for Major cities(3 questions with explanations)

Major cities: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which is the largest city in Scotland?

    • Glasgow
    • Edinburgh
    • Dundee
    • Aberdeen

    Correct answer: Glasgow

    Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, while Edinburgh is the capital.

  2. 2. Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, even though Edinburgh is the capital.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Glasgow is Scotland's biggest city; Edinburgh is the capital.

  3. 3. Which of these is a large city in England?

    • Manchester
    • Belfast
    • Dublin
    • Cardiff

    Correct answer: Manchester

    Manchester is a large English city; Cardiff and Belfast are capitals of Wales and Northern Ireland.

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