Life in the UK test questions on the British constitution

Practise the British constitution

Questions and answers on the British constitution

The same 5 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.

1. 1. What is a constitution?

   • The set of principles by which a country is governed — correct answer
   • A list of every law passed by Parliament
   • The budget the government sets each year
   • An agreement between two countries

   A constitution is the set of principles that says how a country is governed and how power is shared between its institutions. Handbook section 5.2.

2. 2. Select the TWO institutions that form part of the British constitution.

   • The monarchy — correct answer
   • The judiciary — correct answer
   • The National Trust
   • The Football Association

   The monarchy, Parliament, the Prime Minister and cabinet, the civil service, the judiciary, the police and local government all form part of the constitution. Charities and sports bodies do not. Handbook section 5.2.

3. 3. To whom are government ministers answerable for the work of their departments?

   • Parliament — correct answer
   • The Supreme Court
   • The Chief Constable
   • The Commonwealth

   Ministers must answer to Parliament. They face questions in the House of Commons and can be called before committees to explain what their department has done. Handbook section 5.2.

4. 4. What does parliamentary sovereignty mean?

   • Parliament is the supreme law-making body and can make or unmake any law — correct answer
   • The monarch may overrule any Act of Parliament
   • Local councils may ignore laws they disagree with
   • The courts may cancel any law they think is unwise

   Parliamentary sovereignty is the idea that Parliament has the final say on the law. Judges apply and interpret the law, but they cannot simply set aside an Act of Parliament. Handbook section 5.2.

5. 5. What did the Human Rights Act 1998 do?

   • It made the rights in the European Convention on Human Rights part of UK law — correct answer
   • It abolished the House of Lords
   • It created the Scottish Parliament
   • It gave 16-year-olds the vote

   The Human Rights Act 1998 brought the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, so a person can rely on those rights in a British court instead of going abroad. Handbook section 5.2.