Question 1

The majority of countries have an unwritten constitution.

Accepted Answer

The majority of countries actually have a written constitution, with only a few (such as the United Kingdom) having an unwritten constitution.

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

Accepted Answer

The correct statement is that amendments to the Bill of Rights require the agreement of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, not just a three-quarters majority in the House of Commons. A and C are true statements - Parliament can pass any law it wishes, and the UK Supreme Court can declare an Act of Parliament void if it conflicts with EU law or the Human Rights Act. D is false, as Parliament can repeal constitutional statutes such as the Human Rights Act if it so wishes, although this would be a politically controversial move.

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

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

Which of the following are ways in which British citizenship can be acquired?
A) Adoption
B) Birth
C) Registration
D) Naturalisation

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are ways in...

Question 5

Why do States and organisations need a constitution?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do States and organisations need a...

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is it important to maintain a...

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the nature of the powers of...

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Outline the key distinguishing features of the...

Question 9

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a flexible constitution.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a...

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the relationship the Isle of Man...

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are TRUE?
A) The...

Question 12

Which of the following nations does not have its own central legislative body?
A) Wales
B) England
C) Scotland
D) Northern Ireland

Accepted Answer

England does not have its own separate central legislative body; instead, it is governed directly by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also serves the entire UK. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have their own devolved legislatures with varying degrees of power.

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

Accepted Answer

The coalition Government in 2010 proposed three constitutional reforms - Fixed-term Parliaments, Abolition of the Crown's ability to dissolve Parliament, and Reform of the voting system used in General Elections. Abolition of the post of Mayor of London was not a proposed constitutional reform by the coalition Government.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

The American War of Independence and the French Revolution challenged the traditional sources of authority, which in part led to the development and adoption of written constitutions as a way to establish and codify the principles of a new government. These events played a significant role in the spread of constitutionalism and the concept of popular sovereignty around the world.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The constitution of the USA is a federal constitution, while the constitutions of Australia and Malaysia are indeed unitary.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Queen Elizabeth II did not withhold the Royal Assent from the Hunting Bill in 2004; it became law as the Hunting Act 2004 after receiving Royal Assent.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Great Britain is comprised of Scotland, England, and Wales, while the United Kingdom includes all those plus Northern Ireland.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

This is true. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the highest court of appeal for certain Commonwealth countries, including Jamaica, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Secretary of State can deprive a...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

The decision to revoke a passport can be subject to judicial review, as it involves a government action that may affect an individual's rights and freedoms, and thus can be challenged in court for its legality, reasonableness, or adherence to due process.

Quiz 1: Introducing Constitutional Law