Life in the UK Test
Sign in
Back to The UK Government, the Law and Your Role

The UK formerly in the EU

Study note

The UK's relationship with Europe has changed over time. In 1973 the UK joined a group of European countries called the European Economic Community, which later grew into the European Union, or EU. For many years after that the UK was a member of the EU, but it has never used the euro as its currency.

Following a public vote, the referendum of 2016, the UK left the European Union in 2020. This event is widely known as Brexit. As a result, the UK is no longer a member of the EU and is not a leading member of it. It is wrong to say the UK joined the EU in 2020 or that it has never had any link to it. For the test, the key facts are that the UK joined in 1973 and left the EU in 2020, so it is no longer a member.

Memory tip: UK joined in 1973, left the EU in 2020 (Brexit); it is no longer an EU member.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 3

Which statement about the UK and the European Union is correct today?

Score so far: 0 / 0
Show all questions and answers for The UK formerly in the EU(3 questions with explanations)

The UK formerly in the EU: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which statement about the UK and the European Union is correct today?

    • The UK uses the euro as its currency
    • The UK left the EU in 2020 and is no longer a member
    • The UK has never had any link to the EU
    • The UK is a leading member of the EU

    Correct answer: The UK left the EU in 2020 and is no longer a member

    The UK left the EU in 2020 and is no longer an EU member, although it once was.

  2. 2. The UK is currently a member of the European Union.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: False

    False. The UK left the European Union in 2020.

  3. 3. Which of these statements is correct?

    • The UK joined the European Union in 2020
    • The UK left the European Union in 2020

    Correct answer: The UK left the European Union in 2020

    After the 2016 referendum, the UK left the EU in 2020.

Back to The UK Government, the Law and Your Role, or try a mock test or timed exam.