Master International Law: Introduction to International Law

Question 1

What is the primary role of international organizations, such as the United Nations, in international law?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate cooperation and resolve disputes

Answer

To enforce international law

Answer

To make laws binding on states

Answer

To represent the interests of individual states

Question 2

Under which principle of international law are states responsible for actions that cause harm to other states, such as aggression or pollution?

Accepted Answer

State Responsibility

Answer

State Sovereignty

Answer

Non-Intervention

Answer

Pacta Sunt Servanda

Question 3

What is the legal significance of a reservation made by a state to a treaty, such as the United Nations Charter?

Accepted Answer

It allows the state to exclude or modify the application of certain provisions of the treaty, subject to specific conditions.

Answer

It prevents the treaty from entering into force for the state.

Answer

It renders the treaty invalid.

Answer

It has no legal effect.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of customary international law, as opposed to treaty law?

Accepted Answer

It is codified in written form, such as in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

Answer

It is based on consistent and widespread practice by states.

Answer

It is accepted as law by states.

Answer

It evolves over time, adapting to changing circumstances.

Question 5

Which of the following is a key function of the United Nations Security Council, as defined by the United Nations Charter?

Accepted Answer

To maintain international peace and security by authorizing military action or imposing sanctions.

Answer

To promote economic and social development through initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Answer

To protect human rights through bodies such as the Human Rights Council.

Answer

To resolve disputes between states through mediation and negotiation.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of the International Criminal Court, established by the Rome Statute?

Accepted Answer

To prosecute individuals for serious international crimes, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Answer

To resolve disputes between states.

Answer

To create and codify international law.

Answer

To provide legal assistance to states in strengthening their national judicial systems.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the relationship between international law and domestic law in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between international law and domestic law is complex and varies depending on the provisions of the specific treaty or rule of customary international law in question, as well as the constitutional system of the United Kingdom.

Answer

International law is always superior to domestic law.

Answer

Domestic law is always superior to international law.

Answer

International law and domestic law are separate and independent systems.

Question 8

Which international organization houses the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

Accepted Answer

United Nations

Answer

European Union

Answer

World Trade Organization

Answer

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Question 9

Customary international law is primarily derived from:

Accepted Answer

State practices

Answer

International agreements

Answer

Court decisions

Answer

Academic writings

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT recognized as a source of international law?

Accepted Answer

National legislation enacted by individual countries

Answer

Treaties ratified by a majority of states

Answer

Customary international law established through consistent state practice and opinio juris

Answer

General Assembly resolutions that garner support from most member states

Question 11

The United Nations Charter, which established the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is considered an example of:

Accepted Answer

Hard law

Answer

Soft law

Answer

Jus cogens

Answer

Customary international law

Question 12

The doctrine of state immunity generally provides states with:

Accepted Answer

Limited immunity subject to exceptions and waivers

Answer

Absolute immunity from all legal proceedings

Answer

Immunity from civil proceedings but not criminal proceedings

Answer

No immunity whatsoever

Question 13

The concept of jus cogens in international law refers to:

Accepted Answer

Peremptory norms of international law that are considered universally binding

Answer

Customary rules of international law that have been widely accepted and practiced

Answer

Treaty obligations that are legally binding on states parties

Answer

Soft law principles that are not legally enforceable

Question 14

The primary function of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to serve as the:

Accepted Answer

Principal judicial organ of the United Nations

Answer

Specialized agency dealing with international law

Answer

Political arm of the UN Security Council

Answer

Executive branch of the UN Secretariat

Question 15

Which of the following methods of dispute settlement involves a legally binding decision by an impartial third party?

Accepted Answer

Arbitration

Answer

Mediation

Answer

Negotiation

Answer

Conciliation

Question 16

The primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security is entrusted to which UN body?

Accepted Answer

United Nations Security Council

Answer

International Court of Justice

Answer

United Nations General Assembly

Answer

International Monetary Fund

Question 17

The principle of state sovereignty implies that:

Accepted Answer

States possess the inherent right to govern their internal affairs without external interference.

Answer

States are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of international courts and tribunals.

Answer

States have a duty to intervene in the affairs of other states to protect human rights.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a source of international law, as recognized by the Statute of the International Court of Justice?

Accepted Answer

Domestic legislation

Answer

Customary law

Answer

Treaties

Answer

General principles of law

Question 19

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the primary judicial organ of which international organization?

Accepted Answer

The United Nations

Answer

The World Trade Organization

Answer

The European Union

Question 20

The principle of state sovereignty in international law primarily implies that:

Accepted Answer

States possess exclusive authority to govern themselves internally, without external interference from other states.

Answer

States are immune from prosecution for violations of international law.

Answer

States may freely intervene in the internal affairs of other states.

Question 21

Which of the following is an example of an international crime that falls under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court?

Accepted Answer

Genocide

Answer

Trespassing

Answer

Murder (in the absence of an armed conflict)

Answer

Theft

Question 22

The primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain international peace and security by addressing threats to or acts of aggression.

Answer

Administer justice in international disputes

Answer

Protect and promote human rights globally

Answer

Promote sustainable economic development

Question 23

The International Criminal Court exercises jurisdiction over:

Accepted Answer

Individuals accused of committing serious international crimes, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Answer

States accused of violating international treaties or customary law

Answer

Corporations accused of environmental damage or human rights violations

Question 24

A primary purpose of international law is to:

Accepted Answer

Promote cooperation and peaceful relations among states

Answer

Protect the interests of only the most powerful nations

Answer

Establish a world government with centralized authority

Answer

Punish individuals for criminal offenses

Question 25

The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties primarily establishes:

Accepted Answer

A set of rules governing the conclusion, interpretation, application, and termination of treaties between states.

Answer

A comprehensive codification of all international law

Answer

A mechanism for resolving disputes arising from the violation of treaties