What is the difference between the UK, Great Britain, the British Isles, and England? What is the United Kingdom? And why did Scotland join the UK? Let’s discuss these topics, and practice some vocabulary, on today’s episode of Thinking in English!

Vocabulary List

Interchangeably (adv) - in a way that can be exchanged without making any difference or without being noticed

Figs can be used interchangeably with dates in this recipe

Kingdom (n) - a country ruled by a king or queen

They visited many kingdoms while travelling

Union (n) - a political unit made up of two or more separate units such as states

The United Kingdom is a union of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

To conquer (v) - to take control or possession of foreign land, or a group of people, by force

The English were conquered by the Normans in 1066

Sovereign (adj) - having the highest power or being completely independent

We must respect the rights of sovereign states/nations to conduct their own affairs.

Bankrupt (informal adj) - having no money

I’ll go bankrupt if you keep asking me for money!

Devolution (n) - the moving of power or responsibility from a main organization to a lower level, or from a central government to a local government

The majority of people in the region are in favour of devolution.

Referendum (n) - a vote in which all the people in a country or an area are asked to give their opinion about or decide an important political or social question

We will hold a referendum on independence next year

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189. Why is Scotland in the UK? (English Vocabulary Lesson)

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Vocabulary List