The House of Commons: Explore the UK Parliament's Lower House

Question 1

What is the main responsibility of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To speak for the people of the UK

Answer

To check laws made by the House of Lords

Answer

To give advice to the Prime Minister on how to run the country

Question 2

In the UK, which electoral system is used to elect members to the House of Commons? Explain how this system influences the composition and dynamics of the House.

Accepted Answer

First-past-the-post system

Answer

Single transferable vote system

Answer

Proportional representation system

Question 3

Which factors primarily determine the composition of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Demographics, party affiliations, and regional representation

Answer

Prime Minister's preferences

Answer

Queen's appointments

Answer

Speaker's decisions

Question 4

Who presides over debates and ensures order in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

An impartial elected MP

Answer

The Monarch

Answer

The Prime Minister

Answer

The Lord Chancellor

Question 5

In the UK general elections, MPs are elected using the:

Accepted Answer

First-past-the-post system

Answer

Proportional representation system

Answer

Single transferable vote system

Answer

Alternative vote system

Question 6

The minimum age to vote in UK general elections is:

Accepted Answer

18

Answer

16

Answer

21

Answer

25

Question 7

Which House of Commons committee scrutinizes government spending?

Accepted Answer

Public Accounts Committee

Answer

Foreign Affairs Committee

Answer

Home Affairs Committee

Answer

Justice Committee

Question 8

The significance of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) lies in its role as a forum for:

Accepted Answer

MPs to directly question the Prime Minister

Answer

Prime Ministers to announce new policies

Answer

Parliament to scrutinize government actions

Answer

MPs to debate proposed legislation

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a defining feature of the British parliamentary system?

Accepted Answer

Unicameral legislature

Answer

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer

Separation of powers

Answer

Responsible government

Question 10

A bill, in the context of the UK Parliament, refers to:

Accepted Answer

A proposed law that has not yet been passed

Answer

A law that has been passed by both Houses of Parliament

Answer

A proposed amendment to an existing law

Answer

A statement of government policy

Question 11

What are the main responsibilities of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Examining government policies, passing laws, and holding public discussions

Answer

Choosing the Prime Minister, approving international agreements, and declaring war

Answer

Changing the constitution, selecting the monarch, and confirming judicial appointments

Answer

Managing the budget, supervising the civil service, and removing government officials from office

Question 12

How does the House of Commons monitor and hold government ministers responsible for their actions?

Accepted Answer

Prime Minister's Questions

Accepted Answer

Select Committees

Answer

The Budget

Answer

The Queen's Speech

Question 13

What is the standard term of office for a Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

5 years

Answer

4 years

Answer

6 years

Answer

7 years

Question 14

Who is the current Speaker of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Lindsay Hoyle

Answer

John Bercow

Answer

Jacob Rees-Mogg

Answer

David Lidington

Question 15

What is the traditional color of the benches in the House of Commons Chamber?

Accepted Answer

Red

Answer

Green

Answer

Blue

Answer

Black

Question 16

Which chamber of the UK Parliament is known as the 'Upper House'?

Accepted Answer

House of Lords

Answer

House of Commons

Answer

Cabinet

Answer

Privy Council

Question 17

What is a key role of the Prime Minister in relation to the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To answer questions from MPs

Answer

To appoint and dismiss MPs

Answer

To introduce and debate legislation

Answer

To control the agenda of the House

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of a Select Committee in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To investigate specific issues and make recommendations

Answer

To draft and approve legislation

Answer

To hold the government to account

Answer

To provide legal advice to the House

Question 19

Which historical event is credited with leading to the establishment of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Magna Carta

Answer

Bill of Rights

Answer

Glorious Revolution

Answer

Reform Act of 1832

Question 20

Which of the following is not a primary function of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Appointing judges

Answer

Making laws

Answer

Holding the government to account

Answer

Representing the people

Question 21

What is the term used for the geographical area that an MP represents?

Accepted Answer

Constituency

Answer

County

Answer

District

Answer

Ward

Question 22

What is the primary role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To oversee debates and maintain order

Answer

To lead the largest political party

Answer

To propose and vote on new laws

Answer

To represent the monarch in Parliament

Question 23

What is the formal process by which a bill becomes a law in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Royal Assent

Answer

Parliamentary Review

Answer

Committee Stage

Answer

Second Reading

Question 24

Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the House of Commons Select Committees?

Accepted Answer

Investigating government departments and their activities

Answer

Proposing new legislation

Answer

Impeaching the Prime Minister

Answer

Approving the national budget

Question 25

Which independent organization is responsible for overseeing elections in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Electoral Commission

Answer

Cabinet Office

Answer

Home Office

Answer

Ministry of Justice

Question 26

What is the primary purpose of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To hold the Prime Minister accountable for their actions

Answer

To allow the Prime Minister to make announcements to Parliament

Answer

To debate current affairs

Answer

To vote on new legislation

Question 27

Which committee specifically examines government spending in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Public Accounts Committee

Answer

Select Committees

Answer

Finance Bill

Answer

Budget Day

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Appointing the Monarch

Answer

Passing laws

Answer

Holding the government accountable

Answer

Approving the budget

Question 29

What is the minimum age requirement to become a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

21

Answer

18

Answer

25

Answer

30

Question 30

Which of the following electoral systems is used in the United Kingdom to elect MPs to the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Single transferable vote

Answer

Ranked-choice voting

Question 31

Which of the following committees is responsible for examining and scrutinizing government spending?

Accepted Answer

Treasury Committee

Answer

Foreign Affairs Committee

Answer

Home Affairs Committee

Answer

Defence Committee

Question 32

Which of the following is **not** a function of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Trying criminal cases

Answer

Scrutinizing government

Answer

Proposing and passing laws

Answer

Approving the budget

Question 33

Who is the **leader** of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

The Speaker

Answer

The Prime Minister

Answer

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

Answer

The Lord Chancellor

Question 34

Which electoral system is used to elect members to the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Single transferable vote

Answer

Alternative vote

Question 35

Which term describes a situation where one party has a majority of seats in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Majority government

Answer

Hung Parliament

Answer

Minority government

Answer

Coalition government

Question 36

What is the primary role of opposition parties within the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Examining government policies and presenting alternatives

Answer

Supporting government policies

Answer

Passing laws without government involvement

Question 37

What is a key strength of select committees in holding government departments and agencies accountable?

Accepted Answer

Conducting in-depth investigations

Answer

Initiating legislation

Answer

Dismissing government ministers

Answer

Imposing financial penalties

Question 38

What is a primary function of House of Commons committees?

Accepted Answer

Hold government ministers accountable

Answer

Propose new laws

Answer

Ratify international agreements

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT a method used by opposition parties in the House of Commons to scrutinize and challenge the government?

Accepted Answer

Backing government policies

Answer

Filibustering

Answer

Proposing amendments to laws

Answer

Asking questions during debates

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Passing judgment on legal cases

Answer

Debating and passing legislation

Answer

Overseeing the government

Answer

Holding ministers accountable

Question 41

How many constituencies are represented in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

650

Answer

500

Answer

550

Answer

600

Question 42

Who presides over debates in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Speaker

Answer

Lord Speaker

Answer

Prime Minister

Answer

Lord Chancellor

Question 43

What is the primary purpose of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs)?

Accepted Answer

To hold the Prime Minister accountable

Answer

To debate government policy

Answer

To pass legislation

Answer

To discuss international affairs

Question 44

What is the term used to describe the process of electing MPs?

Accepted Answer

General Election

Answer

Plebiscite

Answer

Referendum

Answer

By-election

Question 45

Which of the following is a key responsibility of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Approving government spending

Answer

Negotiating international treaties

Answer

Amending the constitution

Answer

Selecting Supreme Court judges

Question 46

What is the main difference between a Public Bill and a Private Bill in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

A Public Bill affects the general public, while a Private Bill affects specific individuals or groups.

Answer

A Public Bill requires a majority vote to pass, while a Private Bill requires a unanimous vote.

Answer

A Public Bill is introduced by the government, while a Private Bill is introduced by an individual.

Question 47

What is the significance of the Black Rod ceremony in the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

It summons MPs to the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament.

Answer

It marks the beginning of a parliamentary session

Answer

It represents the power and authority of the monarchy

Question 48

Who is the presiding officer of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Speaker of the House

Answer

Deputy Speaker

Answer

Prime Minister

Answer

Lord Chancellor

Question 49

What is the primary function of the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

To scrutinize the government and pass legislation

Answer

To advise the monarch

Answer

To conduct foreign policy

Answer

To appoint cabinet members

Question 50

Through what process are new members elected to the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

General election

Answer

Referendum

Answer

Appointment by the Prime Minister

Answer

By-election

Question 51

What is the main role of the Prime Minister in relation to the House of Commons?

Accepted Answer

Leads the government and answers questions from MPs

Answer

Votes on legislation

Answer

Suspends members

Answer

Introduces and debates legislation

Question 52

Identify the key difference between the House of Commons and the House of Lords:

Accepted Answer

The House of Commons is elected, while the House of Lords is appointed

Answer

The House of Commons meets more frequently than the House of Lords

Answer

The House of Commons has more members than the House of Lords

Question 53

What is the term used for a vote in the House of Commons expressing a loss of confidence in the government?

Accepted Answer

Motion of no confidence

Answer

Vote of recall

Answer

Vote of impeachment

Answer

Vote of privilege

Question 54

Which of the following committees is responsible for scrutinizing government spending?

Accepted Answer

Public Accounts Committee

Answer

Environmental Audit Committee

Answer

Foreign Affairs Committee

Answer

Home Affairs Committee