Question

[meriad]

I'm doing practice tests for my Life in the UK test. One of the questions is:

Bank Holidays are at the beginning of May, in late May or early June, and in August - true or false?

what would you answer?

[JoM]

I suppose in a way that's true but is it meaning that those are the only Bank Holidays? It hasn't taken into account Easter Monday and Good Friday, although I suppose that they're changeable so can be March or April. Christmas isn't in there either is it, and the gov.uk website has that listed as a BH.

https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays

Is it a yes or no answer or would you be able to elaborate?

[meriad]

It's either True or False as the answer

and it doesn't mention Easter or Christmas so just the others

[JoM]

Based on just those it's true, isn't it.

Not sure if they're trying to catch you out though

[meriad]

interesting you say that Jo, because that is the right answer.

I put false because as far as I know there isn't a bank holiday in early June. It's always the first and last Monday in May ? I've been in the UK for 21 years and don't think I've ever experience a bank holiday in June?

[JoM]

It does fall in June on occasions. Traditionally it was called the Whitsun bank holiday and I think it’s date depends on when Easter falls that year.

[saundra]

My birthday is May 30 and it's usually bank holiday the Monday before but very occasionally after in June good luck

[JanB]

What Jo and Saundra said.

Best of luck this afternoon Ria xx

[meriad]

ah, you learn something new every day...

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/uk ... nk-holiday

Prior to 1971 it could have fallen in early June for the reasons Jo mentioned, but since 1971 then it's always the last Monday in May. So really, given the way the question is asked and that most people taking the test wouldn't have been in the UK when the change came in then I think the answer should be false ie I was correct

[JoM]

Wasn't it in June for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee? And I'm also thinking it was in June to coincide with Golden Jubilee too because I remember my cousin having a big family party to celebrate the occasion and it was on the Monday, that's stuck in my mind because some cousins stayed over for the long weekend.