Pop quiz

It's time to test your knowledge of British geography/politics.
Name the countries comprising the following:
1) The British Isles
2) The United Kingdom
3) Great Britain
4) England

Not totally sure?  Well I'm sure you're not alone.  In fact, I'd guess that you're accompanied by probably about ninety-five percent of Americans.   And this material is the sort that the orientation lectures have been covering.  Although sitting still in an auditorium as the last days of English summer slip out of our grasp, It feels good to know the answers and not be such an "ugly American"!

And the answers are...
1) British Isles: This is a purely geographical term, used to refer to England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and all of the nearby islands etc.
2) The United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
3) Great Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales
4) England: Just plain old England (ie. Great Britain minus Scotland and Wales)

We learn new things every day!