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Government & Law

Practice Test 2 — The UK Government, the Law and Your Role

Open practice — answers shown

This is a study-mode test: each correct answer is highlighted and an explanation appears beneath every question. For a clean run-through under exam conditions, take one of our timed mock tests instead.

25 questions
Government & Law chapter focus
Question 1 of 25

Pakistan is part of the Commonwealth

  1. False
  2. True  ✓
Answer: B — Pakistan is currently part of the Commonwealth
Question 2 of 25

The Scottish Parliament can pass legislation on all matters

  1. True
  2. False  ✓
Answer: B — Policy and laws governing defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security all remain under central UK government control. However, many other public services, such as education, are controlled by the devolved administrations.
Question 3 of 25

What is the main purpose of the Opposition?

  1. To participate in public debates
  2. To represent the people of the UK
  3. To change laws
  4. To challenge the government  ✓
Answer: D — The opposition form the shadow cabinet and their role is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.
Question 4 of 25

Which TWO kings believed in the 'Divine Right of Kings'?

  1. James I  ✓
  2. Henry VIII
  3. Charles I  ✓
  4. William of Orange
Answer: A, C — James I and his son Charles I were less skilled politically. Both believed in the 'Divine Right of Kings': the idea that the king was directly appointed by God to rule. They thought that the king should be able to act without having to seek approval from Parliament.
Question 5 of 25

How many years did Charles I try to rule without Parliament?

  1. 11  ✓
  2. 14
  3. 16
  4. 20
Answer: A — For 11 years, Charles I found ways in which to raise money without Parliament’s approval but eventually trouble in Scotland meant that he had to recall Parliament.
Question 6 of 25

By-election takes place only when an MP resigns.

  1. True
  2. False  ✓
Answer: B — If an MP dies or resigns, there will be a fresh election, called a byelection, in his or her constituency.
Question 7 of 25

Who do some local councils appoint as a ceremonial leader?

  1. A local business leader
  2. A member of the Royal Family
  3. A local celebrity
  4. A mayor  ✓
Answer: D — Many local authorities appoint a mayor, who is the ceremonial leader of the council. (However in some towns, a mayor is elected to be the effective leader of the administration.)
Question 8 of 25

Examples of civil laws are

  1. Carrying a weapon or drugs
  2. Unfair dismissal or discrimination in the workplace  ✓
  3. Murder, racial crime
  4. Theft and assault
  5. Disputes between landlords and tenants  ✓
  6. Faulty consumer goods or services  ✓
Answer: B, E, F
Question 9 of 25

A jury is made up of members of the ______ chosen at random from the local electoral register

  1. Parliament
  2. public  ✓
  3. local council
  4. judges
Answer: B
Question 10 of 25

When King Charles I tried to impose a revised Prayer Book on the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, which TWO events occurred?

  1. A Scottish army was formed and it invaded England  ✓
  2. King Charles I formed his own army without asking for help from Parliament
  3. Parliament only gave the money to King Charles when the Scottish army invaded England
  4. King Charles I recalled Parliament to ask it for funds to form his own army  ✓
Answer: A, D — Charles I wanted the worship of the Church of England to include more ceremony and introduced a revised Prayer Book. He tried to impose this Prayer Book on the Presbyterian Church in Scotland and this led to serious unrest. A Scottish army was formed and Charles could not find the money he needed for his own army without the help of Parliament. In 1640, he recalled Parliament to ask it for funds. Many in Parliament were Puritans, a group of Protestants who advocated strict and simple religious doctrine and worship. They did not agree with the king’s religious views and disliked his reforms of the Church of England. Parliament refused to give the king the money he asked for, even after the Scottish army invaded England.
Question 11 of 25

The person who chairs the debates in the House of Commons is given the title of ______

  1. the Prime Minister
  2. the Chairman
  3. the Leader of the House
  4. the Speaker  ✓
Answer: D
Question 12 of 25

An aim of the United Nations is

  1. to examine decisions made by the European Union
  2. to create a single free trade market
  3. to promote dictatorship
  4. to prevent war and promote international peace and security  ✓
Answer: D
Question 13 of 25

Members of Parliament (MPs) are responsible for:

  1. Supporting the government on all decisions and laws
  2. Scrutinising and commenting on what the government is doing  ✓
  3. Representing everyone in their constituency  ✓
  4. Representing only those who voted for them
Answer: B, C
Question 14 of 25

Who is able to change the Prime Minister during his/her term?

  1. The Governing Party  ✓
  2. The Speaker
  3. The Monarch
  4. Fellow MPs
Answer: A — The Prime Minister can be changed if the MPs in the governing party decide to do so, or if he or she wishes to resign. The Prime Minister usually resigns if his or her party loses a General Election.
Question 15 of 25

What do you have to pay tax on in the UK?

  1. Pensions  ✓
  2. The Personal Allowance
  3. Buying goods from supermarkets
  4. All kind of benefits
Answer: A — People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes: - Wages from paid employment - Profits from self-employment - Taxable benefits - Pensions - Income from property, savings and dividends.
Question 16 of 25

On which TWO occasions will there be a fresh election, called a by-election, in MP's constituency?

  1. gets ill
  2. dies  ✓
  3. goes abroad
  4. resigns  ✓
Answer: B, D — MPs are elected at a General Election, which is held at least every five years. If an MP dies or resigns, there will be a fresh election, called a by-election, in his or her constituency. MPs are elected through a system called 'first past the post'.
Question 17 of 25

Which TWO political parties formed the coalition government in 2010?

  1. Conservatives  ✓
  2. Labour
  3. Communists
  4. Liberal Democrats  ✓
Answer: A, D — After the 2010 General Election a coalition government was formed. The two parties in the coalition are the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Question 18 of 25

Local councils are funded

  1. from central government and local taxes  ✓
  2. by money raised from local fund-raising events
  3. from local businesses
  4. by donations from local people
Answer: A
Question 19 of 25

Which TWO of the following were major welfare changes introduced from 1945 to 1950?

  1. National Health Service (NHS)  ✓
  2. State retirement pension
  3. Employment exchanges
  4. A social security system for all  ✓
Answer: A, D — The Labour government that was elected in 1945 established the National Health Service (NHS) and a social security system for all.
Question 20 of 25

In 1982, which country invaded the Falklands prompting UK to send its naval force in defense?

  1. Argentina  ✓
  2. France
  3. Spain
  4. Belgium
Answer: A — In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic. A naval task force was sent from the UK and military action led to the recovery of the islands.
Question 21 of 25

Which TWO countries are members of the Commonwealth?

  1. USA
  2. Australia  ✓
  3. Canada  ✓
  4. Russia
Answer: B, C — Australia and Canada are members of the Commonwealth. The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, which currently has 54 member states.
Question 22 of 25

People might be taken to court if they owe money to someone

  1. True  ✓
  2. False
Answer: A
Question 23 of 25

What is an example of a Criminal Offence?

  1. Selling Tobacco to under 18's  ✓
  2. Discrimination in the workplace
  3. Housing disputes
  4. Owing Money
Answer: A — Examples of criminal laws are - Carrying a weapon: it is a criminal offence to carry a weapon of any kind, even if it is for self-defence. This includes a gun, a knife or anything that is made or adapted to cause injury; Drugs: selling or buying drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis is illegal in the UK; Racial crime: it is a criminal offence to cause harassment, alarm or distress to someone because of their religion or ethnic origin; Selling tobacco: it is illegal to sell tobacco products (for example, cigarettes, cigars, roll-up tobacco) to anyone under the age of 18; Smoking in public places: it is against the law to smoke tobacco products in nearly every enclosed public place in the UK. There are signs displayed to tell you where you cannot smoke; Buying alcohol: it is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone who is under 18 or to buy alcohol for people who are under the age of 18; Drinking in public: some places have alcohol-free zones where you cannot drink in public. The police can also confiscate alcohol or move young people on from public places. You can be fined or arrested.
Question 24 of 25

Who can nominate life peers? (Select TWO)

  1. The Speaker
  2. Leaders of other main political parties  ✓
  3. The Prime Minister  ✓
  4. The Monarchy
Answer: B, C — Since 1958, the Prime Minister has had the power to nominate peers just for their own lifetime. These are called life peers. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. They also include people nominated by the leaders of the other main political parties or by an independent Appointments Commission for non-party peers.
Question 25 of 25

Anyone who is on the electoral register and is aged 18-75 can be asked to serve on a jury

  1. False  ✓
  2. True
Answer: A — As well as getting the right to vote, people on the electoral register are randomly selected to serve on a jury. Anyone who is on the electoral register and is aged 18 to 70 can be asked to do this.

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