Chapter 15 of 32 · Updated for 2026

Composers & Music: practice questions

Ten Life in the UK test questions on Composers & Music, each checked against the official handbook and set in the four formats the real test uses. Pick your answer, then tap Show the answer to see why.

1. One answer

   1. Poets' Corner, where some of the best-known British poets are buried or commemorated, is in which building?

   • ASt Paul's Cathedral
   • BCanterbury Cathedral
   • CWestminster Abbey
   • DThe Houses of Parliament
   Show the answer

   C: Westminster Abbey

   Poets' Corner is in Westminster Abbey, the church where the composer Henry Purcell was once the organist.

2. One answer

   2. In 1995 the 'Battle of Britpop' was a chart race between Oasis and which other band?

   • APulp
   • BBlur
   • CSuede
   • DThe Verve
   Show the answer

   B: Blur

   In August 1995 Blur and Oasis released singles in the same week. Blur's 'Country House' beat Oasis's 'Roll With It' to number one.

3. True or false

   3. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   Although they are not public holidays, patron saints' days are celebrated in England and Wales with parades and small festivals.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   St George's Day and St David's Day are not public holidays, but parades and small festivals are held.

4. One answer

   4. Halloween has its roots in a pagan festival that marked what?

   • AThe end of the harvest
   • BThe start of spring
   • CThe beginning of winter
   • DThe longest day of the year
   Show the answer

   C: The beginning of winter

   Halloween, 31 October, is an ancient festival rooted in a pagan celebration of the beginning of winter; today young people dress up to play 'trick or treat'.

5. Choose TWO answers

   5. Which TWO of these are Muslim festivals?

   • AVaisakhi
   • BEid al-Fitr
   • CEid ul Adha
   • DDiwali
   Show the answer

   B: Eid al-Fitr
   C: Eid ul Adha

   Eid al-Fitr and Eid ul Adha are Muslim festivals. Vaisakhi is Sikh, and Diwali is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs.

6. One answer

   6. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for which of these shows?

   • AThe Pirates of Penzance
   • BThe Rocky Horror Show
   • CThe Phantom of the Opera
   • DThe Sound of Music
   Show the answer

   C: The Phantom of the Opera

   Andrew Lloyd Webber's shows include Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita (with Tim Rice), Cats and The Phantom of the Opera.

7. Which statement is correct

   7. Which of these statements is correct?

   • AEaster takes place in October or November, and Diwali in March or April.
   • BEaster takes place in March or April, and Diwali in October or November.
   Show the answer

   B: Easter takes place in March or April, and Diwali in October or November.

   Easter is a spring festival in March or April. Diwali normally falls in October or November.

8. One answer

   8. Henry Purcell was the organist at which church?

   • ASt Paul's Cathedral
   • BWestminster Abbey
   • CCanterbury Cathedral
   • DYork Minster
   Show the answer

   B: Westminster Abbey

   Henry Purcell was organist at Westminster Abbey.

9. True or false

   9. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE?

   Folk music, jazz, pop and rock music have flourished in Britain since the 20th century.

   • ATrue
   • BFalse
   Show the answer

   A: True

   Many kinds of popular music have flourished in Britain since the 1900s.

10. One answer

    10. In which city is the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), a large music venue?

    • AGlasgow
    • BEdinburgh
    • CAberdeen
    • DDundee
    Show the answer

    A: Glasgow

    The SECC is in Glasgow. It has since been renamed the Scottish Event Campus.

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