End of Topic Test – Parliament

Total marks = 55   Pass mark = 40/55

Level 1 Questions

1. Identify 3 functions of the House of Commons (3 marks)
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________
2. Identify 2 functions of the House of Lords (2 marks)
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________

1. Identify 3 distinctions between the House of Commons and the House of Lords (3 marks)
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________
2. Identify 3 functions of departmental select committees (3 marks)
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________
3. Briefly describe 3 reasons why MPs tend to follow the party line (3 marks)
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________
4. Identify 3 categories of peer in the House of Lords (3 marks)
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________
5. Identify 3 legal limitations on the power of the House of Lords (3 marks)
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________

Total = 20 marks

Level 2 Questions

1. Briefly describe five differences in the composition or functions of the Lords or the Commons (5 marks)
   1.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   2.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   3.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   4.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   5.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Identify 3 reasons why the Government tends to dominate Parliament and 3 ways in which Parliament can control the government. (6 marks)
   Reasons why the Government tends to dominate Parliament:
   1. ____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________
   Ways in which Parliament can control the government:
   1.____________________________________________
   2. ____________________________________________
   3. ____________________________________________
3. Look at each of the characteristics of Parliament’s relationship to the Government. In each case state whether they are factors which give Government dominance or which help Parliament to control the Government. (11 marks)

Total = 22 marks

Level 3 Questions

1. Study the following 2 descriptions of parliamentary government. One is more accurate than the other. Identify which is more accurate and give 3 reasons why it is more accurate. (4 marks)Description 1
   Parliamentary government means parliament is at the centre of the political process. It means that parliament is sovereign and that all political authority lives in parliament. It also means that all important political decisions are made by Parliament. Instead of the Cabinet always being at the centre of power, Parliament is. This is because power is effectively evenly shared between the Government and Parliament. It also means that there is a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislative.Description 2
   Parliamentary government describes a political system where Parliament is the source of all political authority. It also means there is a lack of separation of powers. The Government is part of Parliament, members of government must be drawn from Parliament and the Government is constantly accountable to Parliament. Though Parliament is the main representative body, it is not expected that policy should originate in Parliament.

   Description ___ is the most accurate because;
   1.________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   2.________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   3.________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Write a short definition, of about 50 words, of each of the following, including examples where appropriate. (9 marks)
   1. Party Whips _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   2. Political patronage
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   3. The Salisbury Convention
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Total = 13 marks