Constitutional law worksheet with answers

In a presidential system, such as that of the United States:

1. AThe head of the executive is elected separately and does not depend on the legislature's confidence
2. BThe president can dissolve the legislature at will
3. CThe president is chosen by and from the legislature and must resign if it withdraws its confidence in the government
4. DThe president is a ceremonial figure with no powers

The principle of legality in public law means that a public authority:

1. AMust always be elected
2. BCan ignore laws during weekends
3. CCan act freely unless a statute expressly prohibits the particular action taken
4. DNeeds a legal basis for its actions, especially when interfering with rights

Judicial independence means that:

1. AJudges are elected by the public
2. BJudges decide cases free from pressure from government or other parties
3. CJudges cannot be bound by statute
4. DJudges may set aside any statute they consider unjust or contrary to good policy

To amend the Dutch Constitution under Article 137:

1. AA national referendum must approve it
2. BA simple majority in both chambers is enough, after which the King must sign the amendment into law
3. CA proposal is passed, elections follow, and then both chambers must approve it by two-thirds
4. DThe King and the Council of State decide it

In R (Jackson) v Attorney General, the House of Lords held that:

1. AThe House of Lords could veto any bill permanently
2. BThe Parliament Act 1949 and the Hunting Act 2004 passed under it were valid
3. CThe Hunting Act was incompatible with Convention rights
4. DActs passed under the Parliament Acts were merely invalid delegated legislation

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

1. AHeld that EU law could never limit Acts of Parliament
2. BDeclared the European Communities Act 1972 invalid
3. CDisapplied parts of an Act of Parliament that conflicted with EU law
4. DReferred the matter to the European Court of Human Rights

Walter Bagehot described the "efficient secret" of the English constitution as:

1. AThe monarch's power to veto legislation
2. BThe close union of the executive and legislative powers
3. CThe strict separation of all three powers
4. DThe independence of the House of Lords

Dicey argued that in England individual liberties were mainly protected by:

1. AA written bill of rights with higher status
2. BThe ordinary courts applying the common law
3. CThe personal decisions of the monarch
4. DA specialised constitutional court