Master International Agreements: Definition, Types, and Formation

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the validity of a treaty under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties?

Accepted Answer

Absence of coercion or duress

Answer

Mutual consent of the parties

Answer

A written form

Answer

Capacity of the parties to enter into treaties

Question 2

Which fundamental principle of treaty law obligates parties to fulfill their treaty commitments?

Accepted Answer

Pacta sunt servanda

Answer

Ex injuria jus non oritur

Answer

Uti possidetis juris

Answer

Rebus sic stantibus

Question 3

According to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a treaty?

Accepted Answer

It is governed by the domestic laws of the parties.

Answer

It is an international agreement between states.

Answer

It is in written form.

Answer

It is binding on the parties that have agreed to be bound by it.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a ground for invalidating a treaty under the Vienna Convention?

Accepted Answer

Impossibility of performance

Answer

Coercion

Answer

Mistake

Answer

Fraud

Question 5

What is the fundamental principle enshrined in the doctrine of 'pacta sunt servanda'?

Accepted Answer

Treaties must be fulfilled in good faith

Answer

Treaties are binding on all nations

Answer

Treaty amendments require consent from all parties

Answer

Treaties can be terminated at any time by any party

Question 6

How can reservations and declarations differ in their impact on treaties?

Accepted Answer

Reservations modify the legal effect of a treaty, while declarations do not

Answer

Declarations modify the legal effect of a treaty, while reservations do not

Answer

Reservations and declarations have no differing impact on treaties

Answer

Declarations are subject to acceptance by other parties, while reservations are not

Question 7

Under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which reason is valid for objecting to a treaty reservation?

Accepted Answer

The reservation conflicts with the treaty's objectives.

Answer

The reservation is made after the treaty takes effect.

Answer

The reservation is made by a non-member state.

Question 8

Which of the following is the primary source of international law governing treaties?

Accepted Answer

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969)

Answer

United Nations Charter

Answer

International Court of Justice Statute

Answer

Restatement (Third) of the Foreign Relations Law of the United States

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the formation of a treaty?

Accepted Answer

Ratification by the legislature

Answer

Consent of the parties

Answer

Written form

Answer

Capacity of the parties to enter into treaties

Question 10

What is the principle of pacta sunt servanda?

Accepted Answer

Treaties must be performed in good faith.

Answer

Treaties are binding only on the parties to the treaty.

Answer

Treaties may be amended or terminated by the parties to the treaty.

Answer

Treaties are subject to the domestic law of the parties to the treaty.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a bilateral treaty?

Accepted Answer

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Answer

United Nations Charter

Answer

Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Answer

Geneva Conventions

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a function of the International Court of Justice in relation to treaties?

Accepted Answer

Amending treaties

Answer

Interpreting treaties

Answer

Resolving disputes concerning treaties

Answer

Terminating treaties

Question 13

What is the principle of rebus sic stantibus?

Accepted Answer

A treaty is void if there has been a fundamental change of circumstances since its conclusion.

Answer

A treaty is binding regardless of changes in circumstances.

Answer

A treaty can be amended to reflect changes in circumstances.

Answer

A treaty can be terminated if there has been a material breach of the treaty.

Question 14

According to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, what is an immediate legal consequence of treaty termination?

Accepted Answer

Parties are no longer bound by the treaty's provisions.

Answer

Parties remain bound by the treaty's provisions for a period after termination.

Answer

Parties may agree to continue applying the treaty's provisions after termination.

Answer

Termination does not affect rights and obligations already accrued under the treaty.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of a treaty?

Accepted Answer

It is an agreement of a temporary nature.

Answer

It is an agreement between international entities, typically states.

Answer

Its provisions are binding on the parties to it.

Answer

It is governed by the rules of international law.

Question 16

Which international convention serves as the primary legal framework governing treaties?

Accepted Answer

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

Answer

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Answer

Geneva Conventions

Answer

United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a necessary element for a treaty to be valid under the Vienna Convention?

Accepted Answer

Unanimous consent of all parties

Answer

Mutual consent of the parties

Answer

Consent of all parties to be bound by the treaty

Answer

Capacity of the parties to enter into the treaty

Question 18

What is the main consequence of a state making a reservation to a treaty?

Accepted Answer

It excludes or modifies specific treaty provisions for the reserving state.

Answer

It terminates the treaty.

Answer

It suspends the treaty entirely.

Question 19

The principle of 'pacta sunt servanda' in treaty law essentially means:

Accepted Answer

Agreements must be honored and kept.

Answer

Treaties can be modified unilaterally.

Answer

Treaties bind only signatory states.

Answer

States can withdraw from treaties at will.

Question 20

If a state makes a reservation to a treaty and another state objects to it, but does not object to the reserving state becoming a party, what is the effect?

Accepted Answer

The treaty enters into force between the two states, but the reservation does not apply to their legal relations.

Answer

The treaty does not enter into force between the two states.

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a recognized ground for a treaty to be considered invalid under the Vienna Convention?

Accepted Answer

Subsequent change of government in a state party

Answer

Error relating to a fact or situation assumed by a state at the time of conclusion

Answer

Violation of a peremptory norm of international law (jus cogens)

Answer

Coercion of a state representative during treaty negotiations

Question 22

A treaty provision allowing its application before its formal entry into force is known as:

Accepted Answer

Provisional application

Answer

Pre-ratification execution

Answer

Early enforcement

Answer

Interim implementation

Question 23

What is the primary role of the International Law Commission (ILC) regarding treaties?

Accepted Answer

To codify and develop international law, including treaty law.

Answer

To enforce compliance with treaty obligations by states.

Answer

To interpret treaties in disputes between states.

Question 24

What is the key distinction between signing and ratifying a treaty?

Accepted Answer

Ratification expresses a state's final agreement to be bound, while signature may only indicate an intention to do so.

Answer

Signature is always necessary for a treaty to enter into force, while ratification is optional.

Question 25

The principle of 'lex specialis derogat legi generali' helps resolve conflicts between treaties and customary international law by stating that:

Accepted Answer

The more specific rule, whether from a treaty or custom, takes precedence over the more general rule.

Answer

Customary international law always overrides treaties.

Answer

Treaties always override customary international law.

Question 26

What is the significance of the 'object and purpose' test in treaty interpretation?

Accepted Answer

It allows for a dynamic and evolving interpretation of treaty provisions in light of their intended goals.

Answer

It restricts treaty interpretation to the literal meaning of the text, ignoring context and subsequent developments.

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a valid method of treaty termination?

Accepted Answer

Unilateral withdrawal by one state party without a specific provision in the treaty

Answer

Mutual consent of all parties to the treaty

Answer

Material breach of the treaty by one or more parties

Question 28

A treaty that creates obligations for third states without their consent is:

Accepted Answer

Generally not permissible under international law

Answer

Always binding on third states

Answer

Binding on third states only if they expressly accept the obligations in writing

Answer

Binding on third states only if they fail to object to the treaty within a reasonable time