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Government & Law

Practice Test 5 — 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

As the Middle Class grew, the Reform Act of 1832 greatly increased the number of people with the right to vote.

  1. True  ✓
  2. False
Answer: A — As the Middle Class grew, the Reform Act of 1832 greatly increased the number of people with the right to vote.
Question 2 of 25

Employees

  1. do not have to pay for National Insurance contributions after the age of 60
  2. have their National Insurance deducted from their pay by their employer  ✓
  3. need to pay National Insurance Contributions
Answer: B
Question 3 of 25

What values are upheld by the Commonwealth association of countries?

  1. Rule of law  ✓
  2. Communism
  3. Democracy  ✓
  4. Violence
Answer: A, C
Question 4 of 25

European Union law is legally binding in the UK

  1. True  ✓
  2. False
Answer: A
Question 5 of 25

Why is 1928 an important date for women's rights?

  1. Women could vote at 18, the same age as men
  2. Women could vote at 21, the same age as men  ✓
  3. Women could vote if they were over 30 years old
  4. None of these
Answer: B — Emmeline Pankhurst was born in Manchester in 1858. She set up the Women's Franchise League in 1889, which fought to get the vote in local elections for married women. In 1918, women over the age of 30 were given voting rights. Shortly before Emmeline's death in 1928, women were given the right to vote at the age of 21, the same as men.
Question 6 of 25

The Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 was so important because

  1. it allowed people to bury the dead where they wished before the death
  2. it ended capital punishment in England
  3. it ensured no person could be held unlawfully  ✓
  4. it ensured that those who died could only be buried by a family member
Answer: C
Question 7 of 25

From age ______, you can be asked to serve on a jury

  1. 18  ✓
  2. 21
  3. 25
  4. 30
Answer: A
Question 8 of 25

Civil servants cannot stand for Office

  1. True  ✓
  2. False
Answer: A — Most citizens of the UK, the Irish Republic or the Commonwealth aged 18 or over can stand for public Office. There are some exceptions, including: - Members of the armed forces - Civil servants - People found guilty of certain criminal offences.
Question 9 of 25

Which court deals usually with divorce cases in Scotland?

  1. Sheriff Court  ✓
  2. Magistrates Court
  3. High Court
  4. County Court
Answer: A
Question 10 of 25

What is the reason for more ageing population?

  1. Improved Education
  2. Cheaper Food
  3. Better Health Care  ✓
  4. Better pension
Answer: C — People in the UK are living longer than ever before. This is due to improved living standards and better health care. There are now a record number of people aged 85 and over. This has an impact on the cost of pensions and health care.
Question 11 of 25

The National Assembly for Wales can pass laws (in specific areas) without the agreement of the UK Parliament

  1. True  ✓
  2. False
Answer: A — The National Assembly for Wales can pass laws without the agreement of the UK Parliament
Question 12 of 25

Who was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2000?

  1. Jayne Torvill
  2. Mary Peters  ✓
  3. Dame Kelly Holmes
  4. Dame Ellen MacArthur
Answer: B — Born in Manchester, Mary Peters moved to Northern Ireland as a child. She was a talented athlete who won an Olympic gold medal in the pentathlon in 1972. After this, she raised money for local athletics and became the team manager for the women’s British Olympic team. She continues to promote sport and tourism in Northern Ireland and was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2000 in recognition of her work.
Question 13 of 25

How often do the ministers meet to discuss important issues?

  1. Monthly
  2. Yearly
  3. Daily
  4. Weekly  ✓
Answer: D — Ministers form the cabinet, a committee which usually meets weekly and makes important decisions about government policy. Many of these decisions have to be debated or approved by Parliament.
Question 14 of 25

What is the official report of the Parliament's Proceedings called?

  1. Westminster's Herald
  2. Hansard  ✓
  3. Cenotaph
  4. Gansard
Answer: B
Question 15 of 25

What was the purpose of the Corn Laws in 1846?

  1. To prevent the import of cheap grain  ✓
  2. To build railways
  3. To improve working conditions
  4. To improve transport systems
Answer: A — Corn Laws in 1846 had prevented the import of cheap grain.
Question 16 of 25

In Scotland, serious cases are heard in a ______ with either a sheriff or a sheriff with a jury

  1. Crown Court
  2. Magistrates' Court
  3. Sheriff Court  ✓
Answer: C
Question 17 of 25

Which of these countries are members of the Commonwealth?

  1. Australia  ✓
  2. Canada  ✓
  3. Russia
  4. USA
Answer: A, B
Question 18 of 25

What is MP's responsibility?

  1. To represent everyone in their constituency  ✓
  2. To represent everyone in the UK
  3. To point out failures
  4. To get as many votes as possible
Answer: A — MPs have a number of different responsibilities. They: represent everyone in their constituency, help to create new laws, scrutinise and comment on what the government is doing, debate important national issues.
Question 19 of 25

Members of the public are allowed to attend Youth Courts hearings

  1. True
  2. False  ✓
Answer: B — Members of the public are not allowed in Youth Courts, and the name or photographs of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers or used by the media.
Question 20 of 25

Members of the public are allowed to attend Youth Court hearings.

  1. True
  2. False  ✓
Answer: B — Members of the public are not allowed in Youth Courts, and the name or photographs of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers or used by the media.
Question 21 of 25

Who chairs the debates in the House of Commons?

  1. The Speaker  ✓
  2. The Prime Minister
  3. The Shadow Minister
  4. The Judge
Answer: A — Debates in the House of Commons are chaired by the Speaker. This person is the chief Officer of the House of Commons. The Speaker is neutral and does not represent a political party, even though he or she is an MP, represents a constituency and deals with constituents’ problems like any other MP. The Speaker is chosen by other MPs in a secret ballot.
Question 22 of 25

People cannot apply to join the civil service through an application process, like other jobs in the UK

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

You can contact MPs only at their office in the House of Commons

  1. False  ✓
  2. True
Answer: A — You can contact MPs by letter or telephone at their constituency Office, or at their Office in the House of Commons.
Question 24 of 25

Young people are sent their National Insurance number just before their ______ birthday

  1. 14th
  2. 16th  ✓
  3. 17th
  4. 18th
Answer: B
Question 25 of 25

Who should you contact to get your National Insurance number?

  1. Your local school
  2. The Home secretary
  3. DWP (Department for Work and Pensions)  ✓
  4. Local government
Answer: C — You will need to telephone the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to arrange to get a National Insurance number.

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