Sport in the UK

The sport section is a list of names, venues and events. There is no way around learning it, but it is shallow, so it rewards a quick pass more than a deep one.

From chapter 4 of the handbook: A modern, thriving society

Ways to remember it

London's three Olympics: 1908, 1948 and 2012.

Grass means Wimbledon, Aintree means the Grand National, and St Andrews means golf.

What you need to know

The UK has hosted the Olympic Games three times, in 1908, 1948 and 2012, all in London.
Sir Roger Bannister was the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, in 1954.
Sir Steve Redgrave won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games for rowing.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson won 11 gold medals in wheelchair racing at the Paralympic Games.
Cricket originated in England and is now played in many countries.
The Ashes is a series of test matches played between England and Australia.
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only Grand Slam played on grass.
Tennis as we know it developed in the UK in the late nineteenth century.
The Grand National is a famous horse racing event held at Aintree near Liverpool.
Golf originated in Scotland in the fifteenth century, and St Andrews is regarded as its home.
The Six Nations rugby union championship is contested by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy.
Rugby league and rugby union are separate games with different rules and team sizes.
Each of the four nations of the UK has its own national football team.
The Open Championship is the UK's most famous golf tournament.

Our summary, in our own words. The test can ask about anything in the chapter, so read the official handbook too.

Practice questions on sport in the UK

All 14 of our questions on this topic. Say your answer before you open it: trying to answer first helps you remember it.

How many times has the UK hosted the Olympic Games?
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- Three times
The UK has hosted the Olympics three times, in 1908, 1948 and 2012, all in London.
In which years did London host the Olympic Games?
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- 1908, 1948 and 2012
London hosted in 1908, 1948 and 2012.
What did Sir Roger Bannister achieve in 1954?
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- He was the first man to run a mile in under four minutes
Sir Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile in 1954.
In which sport did Sir Steve Redgrave win gold at five consecutive Olympic Games?
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- Rowing
Sir Steve Redgrave won rowing gold at five consecutive Olympic Games.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson won 11 Paralympic gold medals in which sport?
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- Wheelchair racing
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson won 11 gold medals in wheelchair racing.
The Ashes is a cricket series played between England and which country?
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- Australia
The Ashes is a series of test matches between England and Australia.
Where did cricket originate?
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- England
Cricket originated in England and is now played in many countries.
What is notable about Wimbledon?
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- It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only Grand Slam played on grass
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only Grand Slam still played on grass.
Where is the Grand National held?
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- Aintree, near Liverpool
The Grand National is a famous horse race held at Aintree near Liverpool.
Where did golf originate?
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- Scotland
Golf originated in Scotland in the fifteenth century, and St Andrews is regarded as its home.
Which countries take part in the Six Nations rugby union championship?
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- England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy
The Six Nations is contested by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy.
Rugby league and rugby union are the same game with the same rules.
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- False
They are separate games with different rules and different team sizes.
How many national football teams does the UK have?
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- Four, one for each nation
Each of the four nations of the UK has its own national football team.
The Open Championship is the UK's most famous tournament in which sport?
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- Golf
The Open Championship is the UK's most famous golf tournament.

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Chapter 4 practice test: Sport in the UK · 14 questions · 26 minutes if you take it timed

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