21 short questions and answers on religion & saints, based on the official handbook. Read them, then test yourself with the free mock tests.
The monarch is the head of the Church of England (officially its Supreme Governor), ever since Henry VIII. The Archbishop of Canterbury is its spiritual leader, not its head. The Church of England is Protestant and is the established (state) church in England. It is called the Anglican Church in other countries, and the Episcopal Church in Scotland and the USA.
The Archbishop of Canterbury. The monarch appoints the Archbishop and senior bishops on the advice of the Prime Minister and a church committee. Several senior bishops sit in the House of Lords.
Scotland's national church. It is Presbyterian: it is run by ministers and elders rather than bishops. Its chairperson is the Moderator, appointed for one year at a time, who chairs the General Assembly.
Wales and Northern Ireland. England has the Church of England and Scotland has the Church of Scotland.
Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Quakers and Roman Catholics, among others.
59% Christian, 4.8% Muslim, 1.5% Hindu, 0.8% Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist each under 0.5%, 2% another religion, and 25% no religion. Use these handbook figures in the test.
Everyone may follow any religion, or none. The UK is historically Christian, but people of all faiths are free to worship. Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs is a fundamental principle of British life.
St George (England): a soldier saint, famous in legend for slaying a dragon. St Andrew (Scotland): one of Jesus's apostles; tradition says he died on an X-shaped cross, which is why Scotland's flag has a diagonal cross. St David (Wales): a 6th-century Welsh bishop. St Patrick (Ireland): a missionary who spread Christianity in Ireland.
St David 1 March, St Patrick 17 March, St George 23 April, St Andrew 30 November. Only Scotland and Northern Ireland have their patron saint's day as an official holiday (in Scotland, not all businesses close).
England: St George's red cross on white, and the rose. Scotland: St Andrew's white diagonal cross on blue, and the thistle. Wales: the red dragon and the daffodil. Northern Ireland: St Patrick's red diagonal cross on white, and the shamrock.
Monarchs have been crowned there since 1066, and it holds royal weddings and funerals. Many famous writers are buried or remembered in Poets' Corner.
St Paul's Cathedral in London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666. Canterbury Cathedral, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the destination of Chaucer's pilgrims. The monastery on Iona, founded by St Columba.
Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus. Christmas Eve is 24 December, and Boxing Day, a public holiday, is 26 December. People give presents, decorate a tree and have a special meal, often roast turkey and Christmas pudding. Children believe Father Christmas (Santa Claus) brings presents.
Christians remember the death of Jesus on Good Friday and his rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. Easter is in March or April. Many people give chocolate Easter eggs.
Lent is the 40 days before Easter, when many Christians give something up. The day before Lent starts is Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, when people eat pancakes.
A Jewish festival in November or December that lasts eight days. It remembers the Jews' struggle for religious freedom. A candle is lit each day on a stand called a menorah.
A Sikh (and Hindu) festival on 14 April. It celebrates the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa, with parades, dancing and singing.
A Muslim festival remembering that the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. Many Muslims sacrifice an animal to eat. Eid al-Fitr is different: it marks the end of Ramadan.
Diwali, the festival of light, lasts five days in October or November. Hindus celebrate the victory of good over evil and gaining knowledge. Sikhs remember the release from prison of Guru Hargobind Ji. Leicester has a famous celebration.
Valentine's Day (14 February), April Fool's Day (1 April, jokes until midday), Mothering Sunday (three weeks before Easter), Father's Day (third Sunday in June), Halloween (31 October, from an ancient festival marking the start of winter), Bonfire Night (5 November) and Remembrance Day (11 November).
Public holidays when banks and many businesses close: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, early May, the end of May, the end of August (early August in Scotland), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Scotland also has 2 January and St Andrew's Day; Northern Ireland also has St Patrick's Day.