Lesson 3.2.2.1

3.2.2.1 Constitutional arrangements: UK and US comparison Quiz: AQA Politics, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.2.2.1, Constitutional arrangements: UK and US comparison: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Politics (7152), Unit 2: Government and politics of the USA and comparative politics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which best describes the UK constitution?

    • Codified in a single document adopted in 1787 by a constitutional convention in Philadelphia
    • Uncodified: it is not contained in a single document, drawing on statute, common law, conventions and treaties
    • Written and entrenched, so that amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Parliament
    • Contained entirely in the Human Rights Act 1998, which sets out all the powers of Parliament

  2. Which best describes the US constitution?

    • Set out in the Magna Carta of 1215 and never formally amended since it was first written
    • Codified and entrenched: a single written document that can be amended only through a formal process
    • Uncodified, drawing on statute and convention alone, with no single document setting out its provisions
    • Amendable by a simple majority vote of the House of Representatives in every case

  3. Which best describes the separation of powers in the US system?

    • Legislative, executive and judicial powers are held by distinct branches that check and balance one another
    • Executive and legislative powers are fused in the Cabinet, which is drawn from members of Congress
    • Judicial power is subordinate to the executive, which can overturn any court decision directly
    • Legislative power is shared equally between the President and the Supreme Court in every case

  4. What is the principle of parliamentary sovereignty?

    • Parliament can make or unmake any law, and no court can overturn an Act of Parliament
    • Courts can strike down any Act of Parliament that conflicts with a written constitution
    • Sovereignty rests with devolved assemblies, which may repeal Acts passed at Westminster
    • The Monarch holds sovereignty and may veto any Act passed by the House of Commons

  5. How do devolved powers in the UK differ from the powers of US states?

    • US states are created by Congress and can be abolished by federal law at any time, without a constitutional process
    • Devolved powers are granted by Westminster and can be changed by it, whereas US states hold constitutionally protected powers
    • Both systems give regions equal representation in the upper chamber, with fixed constitutional powers in each
    • Devolved assemblies hold powers entrenched by a written constitution, while US states can be abolished by Congress

  6. What is the composition of the US Senate and House of Representatives?

    • The Senate has two senators per state, 100 in total, and the House has 435 members
    • The Senate and House each have 650 members elected on a single national list every two years
    • The Senate has 435 members elected by proportional representation across the whole country
    • The House has 100 members, with each state electing two representatives to serve in the chamber

  7. A bill passes both US chambers but the President vetoes it. What is needed for it to become law without the President's signature?

    • Approval by the Supreme Court, which can reverse a presidential veto on constitutional grounds without any vote of the two chambers
    • A two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to override the veto
    • A referendum of the states to approve the bill after it has been vetoed by the President
    • A simple majority in the Senate alone to override the veto within thirty days of its return

  8. Which is an example of the Supreme Court checking the legislature in the US system?

    • The House of Representatives initiating impeachment proceedings against the President for misconduct
    • The President vetoing a bill passed by Congress on the grounds of cost or policy
    • The Supreme Court ruling that a federal statute violates the Constitution and is therefore void
    • The Senate confirming a federal judge after a presidential nomination is made to the Supreme Court

  9. Which is an example of a UK constitutional convention?

    • The Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law
    • The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, which limit the powers of the House of Lords over legislation
    • The Scotland Act 1998, which established the Scottish Parliament with powers over devolved matters
    • The Prime Minister must be able to command the confidence of the House of Commons

  10. What do the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 provide regarding the House of Lords?

    • The Lords can delay most bills, but the Commons can ultimately force them through without Lords consent
    • The Lords has been abolished and replaced by a fully elected second chamber since the Acts were passed, with no legislative role
    • The Lords can block a bill indefinitely but must approve every amendment proposed by the Commons
    • The Lords holds an absolute veto over all money bills, which cannot be overridden by the Commons

  11. A key strength often identified in the US Senate is its equal representation of states. What is the main drawback of this feature?

    • Senators serve for only two years, which limits their experience in handling complex legislation
    • Small states have disproportionate weight in the chamber, so a majority of senators may represent a minority of the population
    • Senators are elected by proportional representation, which makes it hard for any party to form a majority
    • Senators are appointed rather than elected, which reduces their accountability to the voters of each state

  12. An analyst argues that the US separation of powers gives stronger checks than UK parliamentary sovereignty. Which is the strongest response?

    • The claim is false, because the UK has more formal checks through the Monarch's veto over all Acts of Parliament
    • The claim has merit in formal terms, but UK accountability through party discipline and Commons confidence offers other controls
    • The claim is true in every respect, because the UK has no mechanisms to hold the executive to account
    • The claim cannot be assessed, because the two systems have no features that can be compared directly

  13. Which best describes how UK and US constitutions differ in their sources?

    • The UK relies on one document drafted in 1787, while the US relies on unwritten conventions of the Monarch
    • Both constitutions are based entirely on the Magna Carta, which was adopted in full by each country
    • The UK draws on several sources, including statute, case law and convention, while the US relies chiefly on one document
    • The US relies on European law for its core rights, while the UK relies on its own codified document

  14. Which statement best explains why the US is often described as having a 'strong' legislature?

    • Congress can be dissolved by the President at any time and replaced by a new body chosen by the states
    • Congress is subordinate to the executive in all matters of budget and legislation under the Constitution
    • Congress has substantial powers, including the power of the purse and the ability to block presidential appointments
    • Congress has no formal powers over legislation, which are reserved for the Supreme Court in each case

  15. Which factor limits the UK Parliament's ability to act freely in comparison with a Parliament bound by a written constitution?

    • Parliament's sovereignty means it can change any law, so there is no entrenched constitutional protection for rights
    • Parliament cannot pass laws on any matter affecting the devolved nations, under the Human Rights Act
    • Parliament must obtain approval from the Supreme Court for every bill before it can be debated in either House of Parliament
    • Parliament must hold a referendum before passing any constitutional change, which takes place every five years

  16. Which best describes a benefit of the US system of federalism compared with UK devolution?

    • States can be abolished by a simple majority in Congress, which gives the federal government flexible control
    • States have no independent powers, because all policy is decided by the federal government under the Constitution
    • Entrenched state powers provide a constitutional basis for regional autonomy that Congress cannot easily remove
    • States can make laws only on matters that the President designates in an annual list of state policy areas

  17. Which best explains why the UK constitution has been described as flexible?

    • It can be changed by ordinary Acts of Parliament, with no special majority or procedure required for constitutional change
    • It changes automatically each time a new Prime Minister takes office, as the office defines its content
    • It can be changed by a simple majority of voters in a national referendum held every four years
    • It can be changed only by the Monarch acting alone after a formal consultation with the Supreme Court

  18. Which is the best evaluation of the claim that the UK constitution provides stronger protection for civil liberties than the US?

    • The claim is clearly true, because the UK constitution contains an entrenched Bill of Rights enforced by the Supreme Court
    • The claim is contestable, since the US enshrines rights in an entrenched Bill of Rights while the UK relies on statute and convention
    • The claim cannot be evaluated, because civil liberties are not mentioned in either country's constitution
    • The claim is clearly false, because the US constitution contains no protection for civil liberties at all

  19. Which best describes the role of the Monarch in the UK constitution?

    • An elected head of state who serves a fixed term and can veto legislation passed by Parliament
    • A ceremonial head of state who acts on the advice of ministers in most constitutional matters
    • A judicial figure who presides over the Supreme Court and can strike down Acts of Parliament
    • An active head of government who selects the Prime Minister and sets the government's policy agenda

  20. What does the term 'federal model' mean in the USA?

    • Power is shared between the Supreme Court and Congress, with states having no formal role in government and no public powers
    • Power is divided between a national government and state governments, each with constitutionally defined powers
    • Power is concentrated in a single national legislature that delegates all decisions to the states
    • Power is held by the President, who appoints state governors to administer every federal programme

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