Politics and Government (UK) Past Paper PDF

**Politics and Government (UK)** 1. **What does Parliament consist of?** Parliament has two houses: the House of Commons (elected MPs) and the House of Lords (appointed and hereditary members). 2. **What is the difference between the House of Commons and the House of Lords?** The Hou...

**Politics and Government (UK)** 1. **What does Parliament consist of?** Parliament has two houses: the House of Commons (elected MPs) and the House of Lords (appointed and hereditary members). 2. **What is the difference between the House of Commons and the House of Lords?** The House of Commons makes laws and is elected. The House of Lords reviews laws and includes appointed or hereditary members. 3. **What is the difference between hereditary peers and life peers?** Hereditary peers inherit their titles. Life peers are appointed by the sovereign for their lifetime and cannot pass on their titles. 4. **Who is sovereign of Britain at the moment, and who is the Prince of Wales?** The current sovereign is King Charles III. His son, Prince William, is the Prince of Wales. 5. **What is an MP, and how is he elected?** An MP (Member of Parliament) represents a district in the House of Commons. They are elected in general elections. 6. **What's the address of the Prime Minister?** 10 Downing Street, London. 7. **What is meant by the Shadow Cabinet?** The Shadow Cabinet is formed by the opposition party to challenge government policies. 8. **Who are backbenchers?** MPs who are not ministers or part of the Shadow Cabinet sit on the back benches in Parliament. 9. **What would be the Dutch equivalent for Whitehall?** \"Het Binnenhof,\" as both are centers of political decision-making. 10. **What sort of party is the Labour Party?** Labour is a left-wing party focusing on social equality and workers\' rights. Its current leader is Keir Starmer. 11. **What sort of party are the Tories?** The Tories (Conservative Party) are right-wing, supporting free markets and traditional values. Rishi Sunak is the current leader and Prime Minister. 12. **What about the Liberal Democrats?** The Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) are centrist, promoting civil liberties and environmental policies. Their leader is Ed Davey. 13. **What is meant by the devolution of Scotland and Wales?** Devolution gives Scotland and Wales their own parliaments to handle local issues like education and health. 14. **What is meant by the Home Office and by the Home Secretary?** The Home Office manages internal affairs like immigration and policing. The Home Secretary is the minister in charge of this department: yvette cooper. Ministerie van binnenlandse zaken en minister van binnenlandse zaken. **Early Occupants and History (UK)** 15. **Who were the early occupants of Britain?** Celts, followed by Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans. 16. **When was the Roman occupation?** From 43 to around 410. 17. **What Germanic peoples conquered Britain c. 400-700?** Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. 18. **What Germanic people invaded Britain c. 700-900?** Vikings. 19. **Why is 1066 a key date?** William the Conqueror defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, starting Norman rule. 20. **Why is Magna Carta (1215) important?** It limited the king's power and established that everyone, including the monarch, must follow the law. 21. **What is Henry VIII famous for, and during which century?** Henry VIII (16th century) broke from the Catholic Church to create the Church of England and married six times. 22. **When did Elizabeth I and Shakespeare live?** Around 1600. Elizabeth I reigned from 1558--1603, and Shakespeare wrote plays like \"Romeo and Juliet\" and \"Hamlet.\" 23. **What is the Commonwealth, and who was \"president\"?** The Commonwealth is a group of nations formerly part of the British Empire. Oliver Cromwell was \"Lord Protector\" during the Commonwealth period (1653--1658). 24. **What part did William of Orange play in English history?** He became king in 1689 after the \"Glorious Revolution,\" which established parliamentary rule. 25. **When did Britain lose the American Colonies?** Around 1776, during the American War of Independence. 26. **When did Queen Victoria live and reign?** She lived from 1819 to 1901 and reigned from 1837 to 1901. 27. **What happened in 1921 in Ireland?** Ireland was divided into Northern Ireland (UK) and the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland). 28. **Who was Margaret Thatcher, and what is she famous for?** Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister (1979-1990). She privatized industries and was known as the \"Iron Lady.\" 29. **Which party is ruling now, and who is Prime Minister?** The Conservative Party, led by Rishi Sunak. 30. **What is the difference between England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom?** - England: A country within the UK. - Great Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales. - UK: Great Britain plus Northern Ireland. **Conflicts and Issues (UK and Ireland)** 31. **What is at the root of the Troubles in Northern Ireland?** A conflict between Catholics (nationalists) wanting a united Ireland and Protestants (unionists) wanting to stay in the UK. 32. **Are IRA members Catholics or Protestants?** Catholics. 33. **What is meant by the Commonwealth of Nations?** A group of countries, mostly former British colonies, cooperating on shared goals. 34. **What happened to British India in 1947?** It gained independence and split into India and Pakistan. 35. **What was the effect on economic relations with colonies when Britain joined the EEC in 1973?** Trade shifted more towards Europe and away from former colonies. **Australia and New Zealand** 36. **What were the original inhabitants of Australia?** Aboriginal people. 37. **What was Australia's function during the 19th century?** A British penal colony (for prisoners). 38. **What are the main products of Australia?** Minerals (gold, iron), wool, and wheat. 39. **What were the original inhabitants of New Zealand?** Māori people. 40. **What are New Zealand's main exports?** Meat, dairy, and wool. 41. **What is the position of Gibraltar and what about Hong Kong?**\ Gibraltar: A British territory near Spain.\ Hong Kong: Returned to China in 1997 but keeps some independence. 42. **What is the general difference between the South and North of England?**\ The South is wealthier and more urban; the North is more industrial and rural. 43. **Pinpoint on the map: The Midlands, The Home Counties, Kent, Devon, and Cornwall.** - Midlands: Central England. - Home Counties: Around London. - Kent: Southeast England. - Devon and Cornwall: Southwest England. 44. **Do the same for The Lake District, Oxford and Cambridge, Canterbury and York.** - Lake District: Northwest England. - Oxford and Cambridge: South of England. - Canterbury: Southeast. York: North of England. 45. **What is the state religion in England? Is it Catholic or Protestant?**\ Church of England (Protestant). 46. **What is the state religion in Scotland? What about the Republic of Ireland?**\ Scotland: Presbyterian.\ Ireland: Catholic. 47. **What are bank holidays?**\ Public holidays when banks and many businesses close. 48. **What does Congress consist of?**\ The Senate and the House of Representatives. 49. **How is the American President elected, and how long does he remain in office?**\ Elected by Electoral College; serves for four years. 50. **What are the two leading political parties in the U.S., and which one does G.W. Bush belong to?**\ Democrats and Republicans. Bush belonged to the Republicans. 51. **When did America become independent (from Britain)?**\ Around 1776. 52. **In what sense were the Constitution and the Bill of Rights important?**\ They established government rules and protected rights like free speech. 53. **When was the American Civil War, and between which two groups?**\ Around 1860--1865; North (Union) vs. South (Confederates). 54. **What was the outcome of the Civil War?**\ The Union won; slavery ended. 55. **Who are Native Americans, and what happened to them in the 19th century?**\ Indigenous people; many lost their land and lives as settlers expanded west. 56. **When was the Prohibition, and what did it entail?**\ 1920--1933: Alcohol was illegal. 57. **What is meant by \"the Depression\"? How and when did it start?**\ The Great Depression (1930s): A worldwide economic crash, starting in 1929. 58. **What did Martin Luther King stand for, and what happened to him (1968)?**\ Civil rights for Black Americans; he was assassinated. 59. **What happened to President Kennedy (1963)?**\ He was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. 60. **When did Black people get the right to vote?**\ 1965 (Voting Rights Act). 61. **What is the modern view of the Vietnam War?**\ A costly war for the U.S. with little success. 62. **What happened to President Nixon (1974)?**\ He resigned after the Watergate scandal. 63. **What was the Gulf War about?**\ Iraq invaded Kuwait; the U.S. and allies fought to free Kuwait. 64. **What happened on September 11, 2001, in New York?**\ Terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, killing thousands. 65. **What is Halloween, and when is it?**\ A holiday with costumes and candy on October 31. 66. **Why are the U.S. often called a \"melting pot\"?**\ Many people from different countries live there. 67. **But why is \"salad bowl\" or \"pizza\" more appropriate?**\ Cultures stay unique but fit together. 68. **What is meant by \"Silicon Valley\"?**\ A U.S. tech hub in California. 69. **Mention at least five groups making up the U.S. population.**\ Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Europeans **Education** 70. **What is the difference between state schools and independent schools?** State schools are free and funded by the government. Independent schools charge fees. 71. **What is the parallel to the National Curriculum in the Netherlands?** \"Kerndoelen\" and \"leerlijnen\" (learning objectives). 72. **British equivalents for: peuterspeelzaal, basisschool, voortgezet onderwijs:** - Peuterspeelzaal: Nursery school. - Basisschool: Primary school. - Voortgezet onderwijs: Secondary school. 73. **What is meant by the \"sixth form\"?** The last two years of secondary school, where students prepare for A-levels. 74. **What is the American equivalent of \"onderbouw\" and \"bovenbouw\" (voortgezet onderwijs)?** - Onderbouw: Middle school/junior high. - Bovenbouw: High school. 75. **What are GCSEs and A-levels?** - GCSEs: Exams at age 16. - A-levels: Advanced exams for university entry. 76. **What is the difference between marks and grades?** Marks: Numeric scores. Grades: Letters (A, B, C) showing performance. 77. **What is meant by a Public School in Britain, and in Scotland and the U.S.?** - Britain: Elite private school. - Scotland/U.S.: Government-funded school. 78. **What are prep schools (Britain)?** Private schools preparing children for public schools. 79. **What is the difference between day schools and boarding schools?** - Day schools: Students go home after school. - Boarding schools: Students live at school. 80. **What do you know about school meals and extra-curricular activities in British schools?** School meals are usually hot lunches; extra-curricular activities include sports, drama, and clubs. 81. **What is meant by an Oxbridge education?** An education at Oxford or Cambridge Universities. 82. **How do students try to get a place at university in Britain?** They apply through UCAS with grades, personal statements, and interviews. 83. **What do you know about Bachelor's and Master's degrees?** Bachelor's: 3-4 years. Master's: 1-2 years of advanced study. **Additional Questions** 84. **(U.S.) What does Congress consist of?** Congress has two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. 85. **How is the American President elected, and how long does he remain in office?** The President is elected through the Electoral College and serves a 4-year term (can be re-elected once). 86. **What are the two leading political parties in the U.S., and which one does George W. Bush belong to?** The Democratic Party and the Republican Party. George W. Bush is a Republican. 87. **When did America become independent from Britain?** In 1776. 88. \*\* Uitvoerafbeelding