LifeInUKPractice

Chapter 4 focused study guide

British Sport and Famous Competitions Study Guide

Revise football, cricket, rugby, tennis, golf, the Olympics and famous British sportspeople and competitions.

By LifeInUKPractice Editorial Team Reviewed by NEOX Content Review Last reviewed 27 July 2026

Section 4.7

Sport

Many modern sports developed formal rules in the UK. Football, cricket, rugby, tennis and golf are especially prominent, but national teams and competitions do not always follow the same geographic boundaries.

  • Football: separate national teams represent England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • Cricket: the Ashes is a Test series between England and Australia.
  • Rugby union: the Six Nations includes England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy.
  • Tennis: Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
  • Golf: St Andrews is known as the home of golf, and The Open is a major championship.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games also feature strongly in modern sporting history. Remember that an athlete’s sport, event and nation can be different pieces of information.

Targeted practice

These questions prioritise terms covered on this page. Open an answer to review the explanation before moving to the full Chapter 4 practice set.

  1. Sample question 1

    Which British sportsman won five consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games in the rowing category?

    • Sir Chris Hoy
    • Christopher Dean
    • Bradley Wiggins
    • Sir Steve Redgrave
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: Sir Steve Redgrave

    Sir Steve Redgrave won gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympic Games and is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians.

    Review Sport

  2. Sample question 2

    Which Scottish city is known as the home of golf?

    • Dundee
    • Edinburgh
    • Aberdeen
    • St Andrews
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: St Andrews

    St. Andrews in Scotland is known as the home of golf.

    Review Sport

  3. Sample question 3

    Which British sportswoman won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic Games?

    • Dame Ellen MacArthur
    • Jayne Torvill
    • Dame Kelly Holmes
    • Jessica Ennis-Hill
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: Dame Kelly Holmes

    Dame Kelly Holmes won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic Games. She has held a number of British and European records.

    Review Sport

  4. Sample question 4

    What do Ian McEwan, Hilary Mantel and Julian Barnes have in common?

    • They are British sports players
    • They were awarded with the Man Booker Prize for Fiction
    • They won a Nobel Prize in Literature
    • They were awarded with the Mercury Music Prize
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: They were awarded with the Man Booker Prize for Fiction

    The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is awarded annually for the best fiction novel written by an author from the Commonwealth, Ireland or Zimbabwe. It has been awarded since 1968. Past winners include Ian McEwan, Hilary Mantel and Julian Barnes.

    Review Sport

  5. Sample question 5

    Which is the oldest tennis tournament in the world?

    • The Australian open
    • The U.S. Open
    • Roland Garros
    • The Wimbledon Championships
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: The Wimbledon Championships

    The most famous tournament hosted in Britain is The Wimbledon Championships, which takes place each year at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only ‘Grand Slam’ event played on grass.

    Review Sport

More Chapter 4 questions

Further verification

Official and primary sources

Use the official handbook for the knowledge syllabus. For current administrative information or broader context, consult the relevant primary source.

Reviewed 27 July 2026. See the editorial policy and factual update log.