Life in the UK Practice Test 18: The British constitution and Parliament

Question 1

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of the British constitution?

Accepted Answer

The sovereignty of Parliament

Answer

The separation of powers

Answer

The authority of the Prime Minister

Answer

The supremacy of the monarch

Question 2

What is the role of the monarch in the UK Parliament?

Accepted Answer

To be the head of state

Answer

To write new laws

Answer

To appoint the government

Answer

To command the armed forces

Question 3

How are members of the House of Lords (Lords Spiritual) selected?

Accepted Answer

They are the most senior bishops of the Church of England.

Answer

They are appointed by the monarch.

Answer

They are nominated by the Prime Minister.

Answer

They are elected by the public.

Question 4

What is the main function of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To scrutinise the work of the government

Answer

To appoint the Prime Minister

Answer

To advise the monarch

Answer

To represent the Church of England

Question 5

Who is the head of the government in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The Prime Minister

Answer

The monarch

Answer

The Speaker

Answer

The Archbishop of Canterbury

Question 6

How often are general elections held in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Every five years

Answer

When the House of Lords decides

Answer

When the monarch decides

Answer

Every four years

Question 7

What is the role of the Speaker in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To lead debates and keep order

Answer

To represent a political party

Answer

To appoint government ministers

Answer

To vote on new laws

Question 8

What is a 'bill' in the context of the UK Parliament?

Accepted Answer

A proposal for a new law

Answer

A law that has been passed

Answer

A daily record of proceedings

Answer

A government policy document

Question 9

What is the purpose of Prime Minister's Questions?

Accepted Answer

To allow MPs to question the Prime Minister

Answer

To allow the public to question the Prime Minister

Answer

To allow the Prime Minister to make announcements

Answer

To give the monarch an opportunity to question the Prime Minister

Question 10

How can the House of Lords contribute to the legislative process?

Accepted Answer

It can suggest amendments to bills from the House of Commons.

Answer

It can overrule the House of Commons on financial bills.

Answer

It can reject any bill from the House of Commons.

Answer

It can introduce any type of bill.

Question 11

What is the 'royal assent'?

Accepted Answer

The monarch's agreement to a new law

Answer

The monarch's formal approval of a new Prime Minister

Answer

The monarch's signature on a treaty

Answer

The monarch's speech at the State Opening of Parliament

Question 12

What is the name of the official report of the proceedings in Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Hansard

Answer

The Daily Telegraph

Answer

The Parliamentary Paper

Answer

The London Gazette

Question 13

Who is responsible for the administration of justice in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The judiciary

Answer

The Prime Minister

Answer

The monarch

Answer

The House of Commons

Question 14

What is the 'shadow cabinet'?

Accepted Answer

A group of senior MPs from the second largest party in the House of Commons

Answer

A secret group of advisors to the Prime Minister

Answer

A committee of senior civil servants who advise the cabinet

Answer

A committee of retired politicians who scrutinise the government

Question 15

How are members of the House of Commons (MPs) elected?

Accepted Answer

By a 'first past the post' system

Answer

By a system of single transferable vote

Answer

By a system of alternative vote

Answer

By a system of proportional representation

Question 16

What is the role of the Whips in Parliament?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that MPs attend and vote as their party desires

Answer

To act as impartial advisors to the Speaker

Answer

To draft new legislation

Answer

To count the votes in a division

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Defence

Answer

Health

Answer

Justice

Answer

Education

Question 18

What is the main role of the cabinet?

Accepted Answer

To make major policy decisions

Answer

To advise the monarch

Answer

To scrutinise the work of the government

Answer

To elect the Prime Minister

Question 19

Where do the Houses of Parliament meet?

Accepted Answer

The Palace of Westminster

Answer

The Tower of London

Answer

Buckingham Palace

Answer

10 Downing Street

Question 20

What is the constitutional monarchy?

Accepted Answer

A system where the monarch has a largely ceremonial role

Answer

A system where the monarch has absolute power

Answer

A system where the monarch is the head of the church

Answer

A system where there is no monarch

Question 21

How can the government be defeated in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

By a vote of no confidence

Answer

By a decision of the monarch

Answer

By a ruling of the Supreme Court

Answer

By a petition from the public

Question 22

What are by-elections?

Accepted Answer

Elections held between general elections to fill a vacant seat in the House of Commons

Answer

Elections to choose the leader of a political party

Answer

Elections to local councils

Answer

Elections to the devolved assemblies

Question 23

Who is the 'father' or 'mother' of the House?

Accepted Answer

The MP with the longest continuous service

Answer

The Prime Minister

Answer

The Speaker of the House of Commons

Answer

The oldest member of the House of Commons

Question 24

What is the 'Black Rod'?

Accepted Answer

A senior officer in the House of Lords

Answer

The mace that lies on the table in the House of Commons

Answer

The ceremonial staff carried by the Speaker

Answer

The pen used by the monarch to give royal assent

Life in the UK Practice Test 18: The British constitution and Parliament

1.Which of the following is a fundamental principle of the British constitution?

2.What is the role of the monarch in the UK Parliament?

3.How are members of the House of Lords (Lords Spiritual) selected?

4.What is the main function of the House of Commons?

5.Who is the head of the government in the UK?

6.How often are general elections held in the UK?

7.What is the role of the Speaker in the House of Commons?

8.What is a 'bill' in the context of the UK Parliament?

9.What is the purpose of Prime Minister's Questions?

10.How can the House of Lords contribute to the legislative process?

11.What is the 'royal assent'?

12.What is the name of the official report of the proceedings in Parliament?

13.Who is responsible for the administration of justice in the UK?

14.What is the 'shadow cabinet'?

15.How are members of the House of Commons (MPs) elected?

16.What is the role of the Whips in Parliament?

17.Which of the following is NOT a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament?

18.What is the main role of the cabinet?

19.Where do the Houses of Parliament meet?

20.What is the constitutional monarchy?

21.How can the government be defeated in the House of Commons?

22.What are by-elections?

23.Who is the 'father' or 'mother' of the House?

24.What is the 'Black Rod'?