Constitutional law worksheet with answers

In a parliamentary system, the government usually depends on:

1. AA referendum every year
2. BThe approval of the courts
3. CThe support of the head of state only
4. DThe confidence of parliament

A constitutional monarchy is one in which the monarch:

1. AIs elected by parliament every five years
2. BIs head of state but acts within constitutional limits, mostly on ministers' advice
3. CLeads the governing political party
4. DHolds all legislative and executive power personally, and ministers merely advise on request

The Sewel convention says that the UK Parliament will not normally:

1. ALegislate on devolved matters without the devolved legislature's consent
2. BDebate matters concerning Scotland
3. CChange taxes without a referendum
4. DLegislate on Scottish matters without first holding a referendum in Scotland

In the Factortame litigation, while the UK was an EU member, the House of Lords:

1. AReferred the matter to the European Court of Human Rights
2. BDisapplied parts of an Act of Parliament that conflicted with EU law
3. CDeclared the European Communities Act 1972 invalid
4. DHeld that EU law could never limit Acts of Parliament

In Marbury v Madison (1803), the US Supreme Court established:

1. AThe power of Congress to overrule decisions of the federal judiciary
2. BThe right to bear arms
3. CThe power of courts to review the constitutionality of legislation
4. DThe President's veto power

A minister refuses to refer a complaint to a committee because the result might embarrass the government. In Padfield v Minister of Agriculture, the House of Lords held:

1. AThe minister had unlimited discretion
2. BThe refusal was lawful, since the Act imposed no duty to give reasons
3. COnly Parliament could question the minister
4. DThe refusal was unlawful, as it frustrated the purpose of the Act

Officers enter a writer's house and seize his papers under a warrant issued by a Secretary of State with no legal authority to issue it. In Entick v Carrington, the court held:

1. AThe writer could only complain to Parliament
2. BThe search was lawful, because the warrant was signed
3. CThe search was lawful, because state necessity justified seizing the papers
4. DThe search was unlawful, because state action needs legal authority

After a court makes a declaration of incompatibility, section 10 of the UK Human Rights Act 1998 allows a minister to:

1. AOverrule the court's declaration
2. BSuspend the Convention right in question
3. CRefer the case directly to Strasbourg
4. DAmend the incompatible legislation by a remedial order