The British Empire Quiz

Question 1

At its height, the British Empire covered approximately what fraction of the world's land?

Accepted Answer

1/4

Answer

1/10

Answer

1/5

Answer

1/3

Question 2

When did Britain abolish the slave trade throughout its empire?

Accepted Answer

1807

Answer

1776

Answer

1833

Answer

1865

Question 3

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 led to what major change in India's governance?

Accepted Answer

The East India Company was dissolved and the British Crown took direct control

Answer

India gained independence

Answer

India became a republic

Answer

The Mughal emperor regained power

Question 4

Which empire preceded Britain's control of Australia?

Accepted Answer

Captain Cook claimed it for Britain directly

Answer

No colonial empire — it was uninhabited

Answer

The Dutch Empire

Answer

The Spanish Empire

Question 5

The Boer War (1899-1902) took place in which country?

Accepted Answer

South Africa

Answer

India

Answer

Australia

Answer

Kenya

Question 6

In which year did India gain independence from Britain?

Accepted Answer

1947

Answer

1945

Answer

1948

Answer

1950

Question 7

Hong Kong was returned to China from British control in which year?

Accepted Answer

1997

Answer

1984

Answer

1989

Answer

2000

Question 8

What was the 'Scramble for Africa'?

Accepted Answer

The rapid European colonisation of Africa in the late 19th century

Answer

A race by African nations to become independent

Answer

A migration of African peoples across the continent

Answer

A war between Britain and France over African territory

Question 9

Who was the first British monarch to be proclaimed Empress/Emperor of India?

Accepted Answer

Queen Victoria

Answer

King George V

Answer

King Edward VII

Answer

Queen Elizabeth II

Question 10

The Magna Carta was signed in 1215 — what was its significance?

Accepted Answer

It limited the power of the English monarch and established rule of law

Answer

It established the British Empire

Answer

It abolished the monarchy

Answer

It granted voting rights to all Englishmen

Question 11

The East India Company was primarily a:

Accepted Answer

Privately owned trading company that controlled much of India

Answer

British government department

Answer

Military organisation

Answer

Religious missionary society

Question 12

The famous explorer Cecil Rhodes gave his name to which African territory?

Accepted Answer

Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

Answer

Kenya

Answer

Ghana

Answer

Zambia

Question 13

When did Britain finally decolonise its last major colonial territories? The handover of which territory effectively ended the British Empire?

Accepted Answer

Hong Kong, 1997

Answer

Falkland Islands, 1982

Answer

Gibraltar, 2006

Answer

Bermuda, 1999

Question 14

What was the main commodity that triggered the Opium Wars between Britain and China?

Accepted Answer

Opium

Answer

Tea

Answer

Silk

Answer

Silver

Question 15

The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a turning point in Britain's control of India. Who did Robert Clive defeat?

Accepted Answer

The Nawab of Bengal (Siraj ud-Daulah) and French allies

Answer

The Mughal Emperor

Answer

The Maratha Confederation

Answer

The Portuguese forces

Question 16

Which Act of Union in 1707 united England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain?

Accepted Answer

Acts of Union 1707

Answer

Acts of Union 1536

Answer

Act of Settlement 1701

Answer

Act of Union 1800

Question 17

Which Prime Minister oversaw the British Empire during World War II?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Neville Chamberlain

Answer

Clement Attlee

Answer

Anthony Eden

Question 18

The British Empire's Commonwealth of Nations evolved from the Empire. How many member states does the Commonwealth have today?

Accepted Answer

56+

Answer

26

Answer

36

Answer

56

Question 19

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 was led by whom?

Accepted Answer

William the Conqueror

Answer

Eric the Red

Answer

Harold Godwinson

Answer

Rollo of Normandy

Question 20

What was the British policy of 'divide and rule' in colonial territories?

Accepted Answer

Exploiting existing divisions between groups to prevent united resistance

Answer

A military strategy of attacking on multiple fronts

Answer

Splitting colonies into smaller administrative units

Answer

A trade policy favouring British goods over local products