Devolution of Power in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide for Sixth Form Students

Question 1

What is the primary objective of the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

To resolve the conflict between unionists and nationalists

Answer

To improve economic development in the region

Answer

To increase the power of local government

Answer

To reduce political instability

Question 2

Which of the following powers remains exclusively with the UK government?

Accepted Answer

Foreign affairs

Answer

Education

Answer

Health

Answer

Transport

Question 3

What is the purpose of the Barnett Formula?

Accepted Answer

It determines the funding allocation for devolved governments

Answer

It ensures equal funding across all UK regions

Answer

It prevents devolved governments from borrowing money

Answer

It protects the interests of rural areas

Question 4

What is a potential future trajectory for devolution in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain future

Answer

Further devolution

Answer

Reversal of devolution

Answer

Maintenance of the status quo

Question 5

The Good Friday Agreement (1998) established power-sharing in which of the following regions?

Accepted Answer

Northern Ireland

Answer

Scotland

Answer

Wales

Answer

England

Question 6

What term describes the transfer of powers from a central government to a subnational government?

Accepted Answer

Devolution

Answer

Federalism

Answer

Confederalism

Answer

Sovereignty

Question 7

The principle of subsidiarity suggests that decisions should be made at the:

Accepted Answer

Lowest possible level

Answer

Highest possible level

Answer

Equal level across all governments

Answer

Level determined by the judiciary

Question 8

What is the name of the devolved legislative body in Wales?

Accepted Answer

National Assembly for Wales

Answer

Scottish Parliament

Answer

Northern Ireland Assembly

Answer

House of Commons

Question 9

Which of the following is a key principle of devolution?

Accepted Answer

Local autonomy

Answer

Centralization of power

Answer

Unitary government

Answer

Direct rule

Question 10

What was a primary reason for the devolution of power in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Public demand

Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Cultural differences

Answer

Political instability

Question 11

Which of the following is a potential benefit of devolution?

Accepted Answer

Increased accountability

Answer

Reduced government spending

Answer

Weakened national identity

Answer

Increased bureaucracy

Question 12

What is the term used to describe the transfer of powers from a central government to regional or local governments?

Accepted Answer

Devolution

Answer

Federalism

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Decentralization

Question 13

What is the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Representative of the UK government in Scotland

Answer

Head of the Scottish Government

Answer

Head of the Scottish Parliament

Answer

Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party

Question 14

What is the name of the referendum held in Scotland in 2014?

Accepted Answer

Scottish Independence Referendum

Answer

Welsh Devolution Referendum

Answer

Northern Ireland Border Poll

Answer

Brexit Referendum

Question 15

What is the primary reason for the devolution of power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

To meet demands for greater regional autonomy and self-governance

Answer

To increase the authority of the central government in London

Answer

To punish the devolved nations for economic underperformance

Question 16

What is the role of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) in relation to devolution?

Accepted Answer

To coordinate policies between the UK government and devolved administrations

Answer

To resolve disputes between the UK government and devolved administrations

Answer

To oversee the implementation of devolution

Answer

To provide advice on the future of devolution

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the devolution of power in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Desire to create a more centralized government

Answer

Rising nationalist sentiments in Scotland and Wales

Answer

Economic disparities between different regions

Answer

Demand for increased local accountability

Question 18

In what year was the Scotland Act passed, establishing the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

1999

Answer

1997

Answer

2003

Answer

2007

Question 19

Which of the following is a reserved matter, not devolved to the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Foreign affairs

Answer

Healthcare

Answer

Education

Answer

Local government

Question 20

In what year did the UK government hold a referendum on Scottish independence?

Accepted Answer

2014

Answer

2012

Answer

2016

Answer

2018

Question 21

How have referendums influenced the development of devolved governance in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Referendums have given citizens more power and made devolution more legitimate.

Answer

Referendums have been the only factor determining the outcome of devolution.

Answer

Referendums have had little impact on public opinion or political decisions about devolution.

Answer

Devolution referendums have been primarily influenced by short-term political goals.

Question 22

What is the function of the Secretary of State for Scotland?

Accepted Answer

To represent the British government in Scotland

Answer

To supervise the devolved Scottish Parliament

Answer

To provide financial assistance to Scotland

Answer

To appoint the First Minister of Scotland

Question 23

What is the current constitutional status of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

They are constituent countries of the UK, with varying degrees of autonomy

Answer

They are fully independent states

Answer

They are colonies of the UK

Answer

They are protectorates of the UK

Question 24

What is a main economic argument in favor of devolution?

Accepted Answer

It promotes local economic growth and reduces regional disparities.

Answer

It allows for more efficient allocation of resources.

Answer

It reduces the overall cost of government.

Answer

It increases foreign investment in the devolved regions.

Question 25

What is the role of concordats in the UK's system of devolution?

Accepted Answer

To establish informal agreements between the devolved governments and Westminster

Answer

To codify the powers and responsibilities of the devolved governments

Answer

To provide financial support to the devolved governments

Answer

To resolve disputes between the devolved governments and Westminster

Question 26

Which of the following is true about the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland?

Accepted Answer

They represent the UK government in Scotland.

Answer

They have the power to directly veto decisions made by the Scottish Parliament.

Answer

They are appointed by the Scottish Parliament.

Answer

They have no official role in the Scottish devolution settlement.

Question 27

What is the significance of the Sewel Convention?

Accepted Answer

It requires the UK Parliament to seek the consent of the Scottish Parliament before passing laws that affect devolved matters.

Answer

It prevents the Scottish Parliament from legislating on certain reserved matters.

Answer

It establishes a formal mechanism for resolving disputes between the devolved governments and Westminster.

Answer

It has no legal force and is based entirely on convention.

Question 28

Which of the following was a primary factor contributing to the devolution of power to Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Growing public support for Scottish independence

Answer

Economic decline in Scotland

Answer

Political pressure from the European Union

Answer

Religious divisions within Scotland

Question 29

The Scottish Parliament possesses the authority to:

Accepted Answer

Impose taxes

Answer

Declare war

Answer

Issue currency

Answer

Appoint judges

Question 30

The devolved government of Northern Ireland is officially known as:

Accepted Answer

The Stormont Assembly

Answer

The Westminster Assembly

Answer

The Belfast Parliament

Answer

The Dublin Assembly

Question 31

The process of transferring power to different regions is known as:

Accepted Answer

Federalism

Answer

Confederalism

Answer

Unitarism

Answer

Separatism

Question 32

The devolution agreement for Northern Ireland is based on the:

Accepted Answer

Good Friday Agreement

Answer

St. Andrews Agreement

Answer

Hillsborough Agreement

Answer

Sunningdale Agreement

Question 33

The Scottish National Party advocates for:

Accepted Answer

Scottish independence

Answer

Increased devolution for Scotland

Answer

The abolition of devolution

Answer

Increased central control over Scotland

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the devolution of power in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Strengthening of central government authority

Answer

Growing nationalist sentiment in Scotland and Wales

Answer

Regional economic disparities

Answer

Rising demands for local autonomy

Question 35

Identify the key argument in support of devolution:

Accepted Answer

Enhanced accountability and responsiveness to local needs

Answer

Reduced workload for the central government

Answer

Stimulation of economic growth

Answer

Strengthening of national unity

Question 36

Which type of devolution involves the transfer of different powers to different regions based on their needs?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetrical devolution

Answer

Uniform devolution

Answer

Centralized devolution

Answer

Equal devolution

Question 37

What is the name of the legal act that established the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Scotland Act 1998

Answer

Welsh Assembly Act 1999

Answer

Northern Ireland Act 1998

Answer

Government of Wales Act 2006

Question 38

Which body oversees the implementation of devolution in Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Scottish Government

Answer

Scottish Parliament

Answer

Scottish Constitutional Convention

Answer

Scottish Law Commission

Question 39

Which of the following powers is NOT devolved to the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Foreign affairs

Answer

Education

Answer

Healthcare

Answer

Transportation

Question 40

What is the process by which the UK government can recall powers from a devolved government called?

Accepted Answer

Revocation

Answer

Rescission

Answer

Repeal

Answer

Recall

Question 41

The concept of 'asymmetric devolution' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The varying degrees of autonomy enjoyed by devolved governments across the UK

Answer

The different levels of economic development between different regions

Answer

The unequal distribution of resources between different devolved governments

Answer

The use of different political systems in different parts of the UK

Question 42

The Scottish Parliament was established under which Act of Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Scotland Act 1998

Answer

Wales Act 1998

Answer

Northern Ireland Act 1998

Answer

Government of Wales Act 2006

Question 43

What is the term used to describe the transfer of powers from a central government to a regional or local authority?

Accepted Answer

Devolution

Answer

Federalism

Answer

Regionalisation

Answer

Autonomy

Question 44

What is the name of the body that oversees the devolution process in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Joint Ministerial Committee

Answer

Devolution Commission

Answer

Scotland Office

Answer

Northern Ireland Assembly