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The Parliament of the United Kingdom was formed by the merger of the Parliament of Great Britain and the Parliament of Ireland on January 1, 1801.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Parliament of the United Kingdom was established on 1 January 1801 through the Acts of Union 1800, which merged the Parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland.
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is unicameral, consisting only of the House of Commons and the Monarch.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Parliament of the United Kingdom is bicameral, comprising three distinct parts: the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 was repealed by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, which restored the government's ability to call an early election.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 was repealed by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, which restored the government's prerogative to call an early election.
The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 changed the name of the Parliament to reflect the secession of the Irish Free State.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 formally amended the name of the Parliament to reflect the secession of the Irish Free State in 1922.
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body for the UK, Crown Dependencies, and British Overseas Territories.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Parliament of the United Kingdom serves as the supreme legislative body for the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, and British Overseas Territories.
The 'mother of parliaments' refers to the UK Parliament's historical influence on political systems globally.
Answer: True
Explanation: The UK Parliament is often referred to as the 'mother of parliaments' due to its profound historical influence on the political systems of many nations.
The Triennial Act 1694 extended the maximum duration of a Parliament to seven years.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Triennial Act 1694 set the maximum duration of a Parliament at three years; it was the Septennial Act 1715 that later extended it to seven years.
What is the primary function of the Parliament of the United Kingdom?
Answer: To act as the supreme legislative body for the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, and British Overseas Territories.
Explanation: The primary function of the Parliament of the United Kingdom is to serve as the supreme legislative body for the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, and British Overseas Territories.
How many distinct parts compose the bicameral Parliament of the United Kingdom?
Answer: Three: the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
Explanation: The bicameral Parliament of the United Kingdom is composed of three distinct parts: the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
When was the Parliament of the United Kingdom established?
Answer: 1 January 1801
Explanation: The Parliament of the United Kingdom was established on 1 January 1801, following the Acts of Union 1800.
What was the historical maximum duration of a Parliament set by the Septennial Act 1715?
Answer: Seven years
Explanation: The Septennial Act 1715 extended the maximum duration of a Parliament to seven years.
What was the name of the Act that formally amended the name of the Parliament to 'Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland' after the secession of the Irish Free State?
Answer: The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927
Explanation: The Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 formally amended the name of the Parliament to 'Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland' after the secession of the Irish Free State.
The Monarch actively participates in parliamentary debates and political discussions as part of the legislative process.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Monarch is a constitutive element of Parliament, they do not actively participate in debates or political discussions; their role in the legislative process is largely ceremonial, requiring royal assent for bills to become law.
The State Opening of Parliament always takes place in the House of Commons Chamber to emphasize its democratic authority.
Answer: False
Explanation: The State Opening of Parliament is customarily held in the House of Lords Chamber, not the House of Commons Chamber.
The 'Speech from the Throne' is written by the Monarch to express their personal legislative priorities for the upcoming year.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Speech from the Throne' is prepared by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, outlining the Government's legislative agenda, not the Monarch's personal priorities.
The death of the Sovereign automatically brings a Parliament to an end, requiring a new general election.
Answer: False
Explanation: In modern times, the death of the Sovereign no longer automatically dissolves a Parliament; it continues for its prescribed term under the Representation of the People Act 1867.
The last time royal assent was refused by a British Monarch was in 1708 by Queen Anne.
Answer: True
Explanation: The last refusal to grant Royal Assent occurred in 1708, when Queen Anne withheld her assent from a bill.
What is the Monarch's primary role in the legislative process of the UK Parliament?
Answer: To provide royal assent for a bill to become law, which is largely a formality.
Explanation: The Monarch's primary role in the legislative process is to provide royal assent for a bill to become law, which is largely a formality.
Where does the State Opening of Parliament typically take place?
Answer: The House of Lords Chamber
Explanation: The State Opening of Parliament customarily takes place in the House of Lords Chamber.
Who prepares the 'Speech from the Throne' that the Monarch reads during the State Opening of Parliament?
Answer: The Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
Explanation: The 'Speech from the Throne' is prepared by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, outlining the Government's legislative agenda.
What symbolic act occurs during the State Opening of Parliament to represent the independence of Parliament from the Monarch?
Answer: Black Rod has the doors of the House of Commons slammed shut against them.
Explanation: During the State Opening of Parliament, Black Rod has the doors of the House of Commons slammed shut against them, symbolizing Parliament's independence from the Monarch.
What is the significance of the Black Rod ceremony during the State Opening of Parliament?
Answer: It symbolizes the independence of Parliament from the Monarch.
Explanation: The Black Rod ceremony during the State Opening of Parliament symbolizes the independence of Parliament from the Monarch.
The House of Commons is considered the most powerful component of Parliament primarily because its members are appointed by the Monarch.
Answer: False
Explanation: The House of Commons is the most powerful component because of its exclusive right to determine taxation and supply of money to the government, and its members are elected, not appointed by the Monarch.
The British Government is answerable to the House of Commons, and the Prime Minister typically commands the support of a majority in that House.
Answer: True
Explanation: The British Government is constitutionally accountable to the House of Commons, and the Prime Minister holds office by commanding the confidence of a majority of its elected members.
The House of Commons consists of 650 Members of Parliament, each elected by a single constituency through the first-past-the-post system.
Answer: True
Explanation: The House of Commons indeed consists of 650 Members of Parliament, each elected by a single constituency using the first-past-the-post electoral system.
Question Time in the House of Commons includes 'Questions to the Prime Minister' every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 pm.
Answer: True
Explanation: Question Time in the House of Commons includes 'Questions to the Prime Minister' every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 pm, as part of the government's scrutiny mechanisms.
What makes the House of Commons the most powerful component of Parliament?
Answer: It has the sole right to determine taxation and the supply of money to the government.
Explanation: The House of Commons is considered the most powerful component of Parliament due to its sole right to determine taxation and the supply of money to the government.
What is the maximum duration for which Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons sit?
Answer: Five years
Explanation: Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons sit for a maximum of five years.
What is the name of the official report where answers to written parliamentary questions are recorded?
Answer: The Official Report (Hansard)
Explanation: Answers to written parliamentary questions are recorded in 'The Official Report (Hansard)'.
What is the current composition of the House of Commons in terms of Labour Party MPs, including Labour and Co-operative MPs?
Answer: 401 MPs
Explanation: The House of Commons currently includes 401 Labour Party MPs, which encompasses Labour and Co-operative MPs.
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which the House of Commons scrutinizes the Government?
Answer: Direct intervention by the Monarch
Explanation: The House of Commons scrutinizes the Government through Question Time and parliamentary select committees. Direct intervention by the Monarch is not a mechanism for Commons scrutiny.
The House of Lords has a fixed number of 828 members, which cannot change under any circumstances.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of October 2025, the House of Lords has 828 members, but this number is not fixed and can change, as it excludes peers on leave or otherwise disqualified.
The 'People's Budget' of 1909 was rejected by the House of Lords, leading to the introduction of the Parliament Bill to restrict their powers.
Answer: True
Explanation: The House of Lords' rejection of the 'People's Budget' in 1909 directly led to the introduction of the Parliament Bill, which aimed to curtail the Lords' legislative powers.
The Parliament Act 1911 allowed the House of Lords to block money bills indefinitely.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Parliament Act 1911 specifically prevented the House of Lords from blocking a money bill, allowing them only to delay other bills for a limited number of sessions.
The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 transferred the judicial functions of the House of Lords to the newly created Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 abolished the judicial functions of the House of Lords, transferring them to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in October 2009.
The House of Lords retains the unrestricted power to veto any bill attempting to extend the life of a parliament.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Parliament Act 1911 specifically preserved the House of Lords' unrestricted power to veto any bill attempting to extend the life of a parliament.
The Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords are primarily life peers appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Lords Spiritual are bishops of the Church of England who sit by right or seniority, not life peers appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The House of Lords Act 1999 removed the automatic right of all hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords.
Answer: False
Explanation: The House of Lords Act 1999 removed the automatic right of most hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, retaining only 92 elected hereditary peers, not all.
The House of Lords can delay any non-money bill for a maximum of two parliamentary sessions over a year.
Answer: True
Explanation: The House of Lords can delay any non-money bill for a maximum of two parliamentary sessions over a year, after which it can become law without their consent under the Parliament Acts.
What was the primary consequence of the House of Lords rejecting the 'People's Budget' in 1909?
Answer: It prompted the introduction of the Parliament Bill to restrict the Lords' powers.
Explanation: The rejection of the 'People's Budget' in 1909 by the House of Lords led to the introduction of the Parliament Bill, which aimed to restrict the Lords' powers.
Which Act authorized the regular creation of life peerages, allowing individuals to be appointed to the House of Lords for their lifetime without their title being hereditary?
Answer: The Life Peerages Act 1958
Explanation: The Life Peerages Act 1958 authorized the regular creation of life peerages, enabling individuals to be appointed to the House of Lords for their lifetime without their title being hereditary.
What was the main impact of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 on the House of Lords?
Answer: It transferred the judicial functions of the House of Lords to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
Explanation: The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 transferred the judicial functions of the House of Lords to the newly created Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
As of October 2025, how many members does the House of Lords have, excluding those on leave or disqualified?
Answer: 828
Explanation: As of October 2025, the House of Lords has 828 members, excluding those on leave of absence or otherwise disqualified.
How are the 90 elected hereditary peers in the House of Lords chosen when a seat becomes vacant?
Answer: They are elected for life by other hereditary peers.
Explanation: The 90 elected hereditary peers in the House of Lords are elected for life by other hereditary peers when a seat becomes vacant.
What is the formal name for the House of Lords?
Answer: The Right Honourable The Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled
Explanation: The formal name for the House of Lords is 'The Right Honourable The Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled'.
Filibustering is a legislative tactic used to speed up the passage of Private Member's Bills.
Answer: False
Explanation: Filibustering is a tactic used to waste time and prevent a bill, particularly a Private Member's Bill, from progressing, not to speed up its passage.
If the House of Lords rejects a public bill passed by the House of Commons in two successive sessions, the Commons can bypass the Lords and present the bill for Royal Assent.
Answer: True
Explanation: Under the Parliament Acts, if the House of Lords rejects a public bill passed by the House of Commons in two successive sessions, the Commons can direct the bill to be presented for the Sovereign's Assent, bypassing the Lords' rejection.
A 'Money Bill' is certified by the Lord Speaker and can be delayed indefinitely by the House of Lords.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 'Money Bill' is certified by the Speaker of the House of Commons, not the Lord Speaker, and the House of Lords can only delay it for one month, not indefinitely.
According to Sir William Blackstone, Parliament's authority is sovereign and uncontrollable, capable of doing anything not naturally impossible.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sir William Blackstone asserted that Parliament possesses 'sovereign and uncontrollable authority' and 'can, in short, do every thing that is not naturally impossible'.
The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 demonstrated Parliament's ability to overturn previous limitations on its power, such as the supremacy of European law.
Answer: True
Explanation: The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 exemplified Parliament's capacity to reverse previous limitations on its power, including the historical supremacy of European law.
The 'enacting formula' in an Act of Parliament specifies the date the law comes into effect.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'enacting formula' is the specific wording stating the authority by which the law is made, not the date it comes into effect.
What is 'filibustering' primarily used for in the context of legislative procedure?
Answer: To waste time and prevent a bill, especially a Private Member's Bill, from progressing.
Explanation: Filibustering is primarily used to waste time and prevent a bill, especially a Private Member's Bill, from progressing through the legislative process.
What happens if the House of Lords rejects a public bill passed by the House of Commons in two successive sessions?
Answer: The House of Commons can direct the bill to be presented for the Sovereign's Assent, bypassing the Lords.
Explanation: If the House of Lords rejects a public bill passed by the House of Commons in two successive sessions, the House of Commons can direct the bill to be presented for the Sovereign's Assent, bypassing the Lords.
Who certifies a bill as a 'Money Bill'?
Answer: The Speaker of the House of Commons
Explanation: A bill is certified as a 'Money Bill' by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
According to Sir William Blackstone, what is the extent of Parliament's authority?
Answer: Sovereign and uncontrollable, capable of doing anything not naturally impossible.
Explanation: According to Sir William Blackstone, Parliament's authority is 'sovereign and uncontrollable,' capable of doing anything not naturally impossible.
What is a recognized consequence of Parliament's sovereignty regarding future Parliaments?
Answer: Parliament cannot bind future Parliaments, meaning any Act can be amended or repealed.
Explanation: A recognized consequence of Parliament's sovereignty is that it cannot bind future Parliaments, meaning any Act can be amended or repealed by a subsequent Parliament.
Which of the following is NOT a type of bill categorized by its origin or subject, as described in the source?
Answer: Executive Order Bill
Explanation: The source describes Government Bills, Private Member's Bills, Public Bills, Private Bills, and Hybrid Bills. 'Executive Order Bill' is not listed as a category.
The term 'elective dictatorship' describes a system where the Monarch holds absolute power over Parliament.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'elective dictatorship' describes the tendency of governments with a large majority to dominate the legislative functions of Parliament, not a system where the Monarch holds absolute power.
One of the foremost privileges of both Houses of Parliament is freedom from arrest, which applies even to criminal charges during a parliamentary session.
Answer: False
Explanation: While freedom from arrest is a privilege, it now explicitly excludes arrests on criminal charges during a parliamentary session.
The 'West Lothian question' refers to the paradox where English MPs can vote on matters affecting Scottish constituencies, but Scottish MPs cannot vote on English-only matters.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'West Lothian question' refers to the paradox where Scottish Westminster MPs can vote on matters affecting English constituencies, but may not have power over laws affecting their own devolved Scottish constituencies, as these are devolved. The reverse is not true for English MPs.
The House of Lords can imprison an individual for contempt of Parliament for a period only until the next prorogation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The House of Lords can imprison an individual for contempt of Parliament for any fixed period, whereas an individual imprisoned by the House of Commons is released upon prorogation.
The 'Lascelles Principles' are written laws that legally compel the Sovereign to reject a Prime Minister's request for a dissolution of Parliament under specific conditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Lascelles Principles' are constitutional conventions, not written laws, that outline conditions under which the Sovereign could theoretically reject a Prime Minister's request for dissolution, based on tradition rather than legal compulsion.
What is one of the foremost privileges claimed by both the House of Lords and the House of Commons?
Answer: Freedom of speech in debate, meaning nothing said in either House can be questioned in court.
Explanation: One of the foremost privileges claimed by both Houses of Parliament is freedom of speech in debate, meaning nothing said in either House can be questioned in court.
What is the 'West Lothian question' concerned with?
Answer: The paradox of Scottish Westminster MPs voting on English matters but not their own devolved Scottish matters.
Explanation: The 'West Lothian question' is concerned with the paradox where Scottish Westminster MPs can vote on matters affecting English constituencies, but not their own devolved Scottish matters.
What is the primary characteristic of a 'Hung Parliament'?
Answer: When no single party wins a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
Explanation: A 'Hung Parliament' is characterized by a situation where no single party wins a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
The Speaker of the House of Commons has limited influence, with decisions on points of order and discipline made by the whole House.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Speaker of the House of Commons holds extensive powers, including making decisions on points of order and disciplining unruly members, unlike the Lord Speaker whose influence is more limited.
The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as of the source's information, is Rishi Sunak.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to the provided source, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is Sir Keir Starmer, who has been in office since 5 July 2024.
The current Leader of the Opposition, as of the source's information, is Sir Keir Starmer.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to the provided source, the current Leader of the Opposition is Kemi Badenoch, who has held the role since 2 November 2024.
How do the powers of the Speaker of the House of Commons compare to those of the Lord Speaker?
Answer: The Speaker of the House of Commons holds vast powers, while the Lord Speaker's influence is more limited.
Explanation: The Speaker of the House of Commons holds extensive powers, including making decisions on points of order and disciplining members, while the Lord Speaker's influence is more limited, with decisions made by the whole House.
Who is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, according to the provided source?
Answer: Sir Keir Starmer
Explanation: According to the provided source, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is Sir Keir Starmer.
Who is the current Leader of the Opposition in the UK Parliament, according to the provided source?
Answer: Kemi Badenoch
Explanation: According to the provided source, the current Leader of the Opposition in the UK Parliament is Kemi Badenoch.
What is the current Monarch of the United Kingdom, as stated in the source?
Answer: Charles III
Explanation: According to the source, the current Monarch of the United Kingdom is Charles III.
The emblem of Parliament, a crowned portcullis, was officially granted by the Queen in 1996 and originated as a 14th-century noble badge.
Answer: True
Explanation: The emblem of Parliament, the crowned portcullis, was officially granted by the Queen in 1996 and indeed originated as a 14th-century noble badge.
What is the emblem of Parliament, officially granted in 1996?
Answer: A crowned portcullis
Explanation: The emblem of Parliament, officially granted in 1996, is a crowned portcullis.