End of Topic Test – Prime Minister and Cabinet

Total marks = 90    Pass mark = 63

Level 1 Questions

a) Identify the 4 key bodies that make up the executive branch. (4 marks)
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________

b) Identify 5 sources of the Prime Minister’s power. (5 marks)
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________

c) Identify the 6 key areas in which the Prime Minister has power. (6 marks)
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________

d) Identify 5 functions of the cabinet. (5 marks)
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________

e) Some ministers are appointed to the cabinet because they are considered ‘good at their job’. Identify 3 other reasons the Prime Minister might appoint someone to the cabinet.(3 marks)
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________

f) Identify the 4 principles of the civil service. (4 marks)
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________

g) Identify 3 differences between Government Ministers and Civil Servants.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________

Total = 30 marks

Level 2 Questions

a) Briefly describe how a government is usually (2 marks)
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b) Briefly describe how and why the formation of a government was different in 2010. (2 marks)

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The present government includes 23 cabinet members. Complete the table below, identifying the high profile minister, their role within the cabinet and their political party. (21 marks)

Minister	Name	Cabinet Position	Party

c) Government ministers resign for a number of different reasons. Complete the table below supplying an example of either a minister who has been forced to resign or a minister who has survived calls to resign for each reason. (5 marks)

Total = 30 marks

Level 3 Questions

a) Write a short definition of each of the following prime ministerial style and include an example of a Prime Minister that can be categorised as that style. (8 marks)
1. Innovators
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2. Egoist
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3. Balancer
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4. Reformer
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b) Explain what is meant by the phrase “primus inter pares” when talking of the relationship between the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (3 marks)
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c) Explain the doctrine of collective ministerial responsibility. (2 marks)
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d) The UK Prime Minister is often compared to the President of the United States. In the table below identify the roles of the Prime Minister, compared to a president. (5 marks)

e) The Prime Minister’s power is constrained by 5 key factors. Briefly explain how each factor constrains the prime minister. (10 marks)
1. The Party
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2. The Electorate
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3. The Media
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4. The Cabinet
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5. The Pressure of Events
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f) Does the prime minister dominate the UK political system? (4 marks)
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Total = 30 marks