PISA Reading Literacy. Focus on RSE. Get yourself to Scotland!

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. Scotland has a long and fascinating history. The discovery of stone implements dating from the palaeolithic period provides evidence that Scotland has been inhabited since at least 10,000 BC. However, its recorded history began in 124AD during the Roman occupation. Despite building two impressive structures – Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, and the Antonine Wall in central Scotland – the Romans’ attempt to expand their empire was ultimately unsuccessful. What was left of the Antonine Wall can be visited today.

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. The possibilities for visitors are endless. You could visit Loch Ness and try to spot its world-famous monster or experience beautiful scenery on the Isle of Skye. Take a ghost tour in Edinburgh or visit a castle to learn more about Scottish myths and legends. Wherever you go, look out for a pipe band marching through a town, or people attending a wedding wearing kilts. Traditional Highland Games take place across the country in summer. Visitors who would like to participate in Scottish culture could attend a ceilidh and practise some traditional dancing! There really is something for everyone and visitors to Scotland should not leave disappointed.

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. Scotland welcomes many visitors every year and is connected to the rest of the world by five international airports. Hiring a car will allow you to explore some of Scotland’s hidden corners at your own pace; just remember to drive on the left side of the road. If you’d prefer to sit back and relax, consider taking a train ride. Scotland has a variety of scenic rail routes taking you along the coast and through spectacular glens. To get a taste of island life, take a ferry or even fly to one of Scotland’s small island airports. Accommodation includes hotels, rental apartments and holiday cottages, or if you’re feeling adventurous you could even go for a walk and stay in a bothy!

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. Scotland is now joined in a political union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not before centuries of conflict between Scotland and its more populous neighbour England. In 1296, the English king, Edward I, invaded Scotland and overthrew the Scottish king. However, an army of Scots led by William Wallace (subject of the film Braveheart) resisted the English invasion, and victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge the following year forced Edward to run away. Unsurprisingly though, the fighting did not end there. Political conflict between the countries continued for hundreds of years. Visitor centres at Bannockburn or Culloden may interest people who want to learn more about Scotland’s history. If you are one of the millions of people with Scottish ancestry, try to find out about your clan history, and perhaps buy a souvenir featuring its tartan!

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. From traditional ballads and romantic songs to humorous satires and thought-provoking poems, this National Bard composed some of the world's most instantly recognisable lines of poetry and song lyrics. Whether his subject was a man or a mouse, he had a rare talent for putting himself into others' shoes and expressing life's universal emotions. His words have been cherished and passionately recited for the past two centuries.

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. Ultimately, two significant events led to Scotland becoming part of a larger political structure. The first was the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland became James I of England, creating a single monarchy for the two countries. The second took place just over 100 years later in 1707 when the Act of Union was ratified in the Scottish parliament, uniting it with the Westminster parliament (in England) and creating the "Kingdom of Great Britain". Scotland no longer had its own parliament.

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. The Scottish mainland shares a 96 mile (154 km) border with England to the south-east, but is otherwise surrounded by water. The country contains almost 800 small islands, 93 of which are currently inhabited. Its land is divided into three large geographical areas: the Central Lowlands, the Highlands and the Southern Uplands. Scotland’s population currently stands at around 5.4 million, the majority of whom live in the Central Lowlands. The rest live in the more sparsely populated Southern Uplands and Highlands. English is the main language spoken, but there are three other official languages: British sign language, Scots and Scottish Gaelic. Not to mention the other 170 languages spoken by the many people who have chosen to make Scotland their home.

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. Despite the political union, Scotland maintained a separate legal system, and managing this from Westminster was often problematic. Eventually, the Scottish Parliament was reconvened in 1999 after Scottish people voted in a referendum. Visitors may be able to take a guided tour of the Holyrood parliament building at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The Scottish government has a huge number of "devolved powers", but certain powers remain "reserved" to Westminster, including immigration, drug policy and foreign defence. A referendum on Scottish independence took place in 2014 and although 55% of the Scottish people voted to stay in the UK, the issue is far from settled, and a campaign for a second referendum or "Indyref2" is currently underway.

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. Scotland is home to not just one, but several varieties of thistle, some native and others exotic, and no one is quite sure which is the true symbol of Scotland. Is it the Spear or Musk Thistle? Or maybe it's the poetic-sounding Melancholy Thistle or Our Lady's Thistle? And what about the Cotton Thistle?

Match the paragraph with an appropriate heading. Each heading can only be used once. As you travel around Scotland, iconic sounds of the bagpipes will fill the air, and it's likely you'll hear a parade of pipers before you see them. You’ll come across pipers on high streets entertaining passers-by, in parades, at Highland games and during festivities throughout the year in Scotland, as well as at gigs and music festivals.