Deck 1: Introducing Constitutional Law

Question 1

The majority of countries have an unwritten constitution.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In relation to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, which of the following are FALSE?

A) The UK Parliament can pass any law it wishes
B) At least three quarters of the House of Commons need to agree to an amendment to the Bill of Rights
C) The UK Supreme Court can state that an Act of Parliament is void
D) Parliament cannot repeal constitutional statutes such as the Human Rights Act

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following are TRUE?

A) The Commonwealth Secretariat was formed in 1965
B) All Commonwealth countries recognise Queen Elizabeth II as their Head of State
C) The Treaty on the Commonwealth outlines the formal rules under which it operates
D) The total population of the Commonwealth is approximately 2.4 billion

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following are ways in which British citizenship can be acquired?

A) Adoption
B) Birth
C) Registration
D) Naturalisation

Question 5

Why do States and organisations need a constitution?

Question 6

Why is it important to maintain a separation of powers within a State?

Question 7

Describe the nature of the powers of the Monarch in the UK's constitutional framework.

Question 8

Outline the key distinguishing features of the UK's constitution.

Question 9

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a flexible constitution.

Question 10

Describe the relationship the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have with the UK and the European Union.

Question 11

Which of the following are TRUE?

A) The almost continuous evolution of UK history since 1066 is the main reason why the UK does not have a written constitution
B) The electorate holds Parliament to account
C) A constitution with entrenched rules can be changed without following specific procedures
D) The constitution of the UK is extremely flexible

Question 12

Which of the following nations does not have its own central legislative body?

A) Wales
B) England
C) Scotland
D) Northern Ireland

Question 13

Which of the following is not a constitutional reform proposed by the coalition Government which came to power in 2010?

A) Fixed-term Parliaments
B) Abolition of the Crown's ability to dissolve Parliament
C) Abolition of the post of Mayor of London
D) Reform of the voting system used in General Elections

Question 14

The American War of Independence and the French Revolution were fundamental to the development of the written constitution.

Question 15

The constitutions of the USA, Australia and Malaysia are all examples of unitary constitutions.

Question 16

Queen Elizabeth II withheld the Royal Assent from the Hunting Bill in 2004.

Question 17

Great Britain is comprised of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Question 18

Appeals from Commonwealth countries can be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Question 19

The Secretary of State can deprive a person of British citizenship based upon that person's actions before they became a British citizen.

Question 20

The decision to revoke a passport cannot be subject to judicial review.

Question 21

Which of the following is not a principal institution of a State?

A) Legislature
B) Judiciary
C) Army
D) Executive

Question 22

In relation to the President of the United States of America, which of the following is FALSE?

A) The President cannot belong to a different party from the one which dominates Congress
B) The President can sign international treaties
C) The President has a veto which can be overridden by Congress voting with a two-thirds majority
D) The President has no formal powers of legislative initiative

Question 23

Outline the nature of the Commonwealth today.