Lesson 3.2.2.3

3.2.2.3 The judiciaries: UK and US supreme courts Quiz: AQA Politics, Unit 2

20 questions

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Lesson 3.2.2.3, The judiciaries: UK and US supreme courts: 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. When was the UK Supreme Court established?

    • In 1906, as the body that replaced the Court of Appeal in civil and criminal matters
    • In 1998, under the Human Rights Act, as a court of final appeal for devolved matters and human rights cases only
    • In 2009, replacing the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords as the highest court of appeal
    • In 2011, as a body appointed by the Monarch to hear constitutional cases only

  2. How many justices sit on the US Supreme Court?

    • Nine justices, appointed by the president with Senate confirmation and serving for life
    • Twelve justices, elected by a national popular vote for six-year terms in each presidential cycle
    • Five justices, appointed by Congress for fixed ten-year terms that may be renewed without limit
    • Seven justices, appointed by the Electoral College every four years after each presidential election

  3. What does the principle of judicial review mean in the US?

    • State courts alone may review federal laws, while the Supreme Court has no power of review
    • Parliament may overturn any judicial decision by a simple majority vote in the House of Commons
    • Courts can strike down laws and executive actions that conflict with the Constitution, as set out in Marbury v Madison
    • Courts may only interpret federal statutes and are forbidden from invalidating any federal law

  4. Which is true of the power of UK courts to review legislation?

    • UK courts can strike down any Act of Parliament that breaches the European Convention on Human Rights
    • UK courts can repeal Acts of Parliament but cannot amend them, under the principles of sovereignty
    • UK courts can overturn Acts of Parliament only if the Monarch consents to the ruling in each case
    • UK courts cannot strike down Acts of Parliament but can issue a declaration of incompatibility under the Human Rights Act

  5. A federal court rules that an Act of Congress breaches the Constitution and is void. Which principle is being applied?

    • Judicial review
    • Parliamentary sovereignty
    • The royal prerogative
    • Devolution of powers

  6. The UK Supreme Court rules that a government action exceeded its legal powers. Which function is being exercised?

    • Amending an Act of Parliament so that it matches the Human Rights Act
    • Dissolving Parliament after a constitutional crisis has been referred to the court
    • Judicial review of executive decisions, declaring them unlawful
    • Appointing a new Prime Minister after a general election has produced no clear majority

  7. Which feature of US Supreme Court justices most strongly supports judicial independence?

    • Appointment by the President for a renewable five-year term, subject to renewal each year
    • Election by popular vote every eight years, which gives justices a clear electoral mandate
    • Annual review of decisions by the Senate, which can revoke rulings it disagrees with
    • Life tenure, which protects justices from removal for unpopular decisions

  8. Who appoints US Supreme Court justices?

    • The House of Representatives elects and the Vice-President swears in each new justice
    • The President nominates and the Senate confirms the appointment
    • The Chief Justice selects the justices and Congress approves them by a simple majority vote
    • The state governors nominate justices and the Electoral College confirms each appointment

  9. Which is an example of US Supreme Court influence on government?

    • Setting the annual federal budget for every department of government before Congress sits
    • Drafting the constitution of each state legislature in the country under a federal order
    • Overturning state laws that required racial segregation in public schools
    • Electing the President when the Electoral College has failed to produce a majority winner

  10. Which statement compares the powers of the UK and US Supreme Courts accurately?

    • The UK Supreme Court can overturn Acts of Parliament, while the US Supreme Court can overturn only state laws and local ordinances
    • Both courts can strike down legislation passed by their respective legislatures without any limits
    • Neither court has any power to review the actions of the executive in either country
    • The US Supreme Court can strike down federal laws, while the UK Supreme Court cannot strike down Acts of Parliament

  11. Which is the best description of the debate over judicial activism?

    • Critics say courts overreach by making policy, while supporters say courts protect rights that majorities might ignore
    • Critics say courts should never hear cases involving the executive branch of government in either country
    • Critics say courts have no role in protecting rights, which should be left entirely to individual states
    • Critics say courts should be elected directly so that policy is always decided by a popular majority vote

  12. Which best explains the basis of the US Supreme Court's power?

    • Its power rests on the consent of the states, which may withdraw authority from the court by majority vote in each state legislature
    • Its power of judicial review rests on constitutional interpretation and precedent, established since Marbury
    • Its power rests on the Magna Carta, which gives courts equal authority with the executive
    • Its power rests on Acts of Parliament, which the President may revoke by executive order at any time

  13. Which factor is most likely to reduce the independence of a judiciary?

    • Short fixed terms, which make judges dependent on reappointment by the politicians who are subject to their rulings
    • Security of pay, which protects judges from financial pressure from the executive in their rulings
    • Life tenure, which means judges cannot be removed for holding unpopular views on policy
    • A fixed retirement age, which ensures that judges leave the bench at a predictable point in their careers

  14. Which is a limitation of relying on courts to change policy?

    • Courts can only decide cases brought before them, so change depends on litigation and on enforcement
    • Courts are barred from ruling on any issue that affects the executive branch of government in either country
    • Courts lack the power to make any ruling that affects federal or state government in either system
    • Courts can initiate reforms without any case being brought, which limits their effectiveness in practice

  15. Which factor reduces the UK Supreme Court's power relative to the US Supreme Court?

    • The doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, which prevents courts from striking down primary legislation
    • The absence of a written constitution, which has no effect on the power of any court to review law or to strike down legislation
    • The 2009 creation of the court, which removed its judicial review powers over executive decisions
    • The Human Rights Act 1998, which gave UK courts the power to repeal any Act they consider unjust

  16. Which best evaluates the claim that the UK judiciary is more independent than the US judiciary?

    • The claim is clearly true, because UK judges are elected by the public for fixed terms of office
    • The claim is contestable: both systems protect independence differently, through US life tenure and UK statutory safeguards
    • The claim is clearly false, because US Supreme Court justices are elected by voters for fixed terms
    • The claim cannot be tested, because judicial independence cannot be measured in any legal system

  17. Which statement best describes how UK Supreme Court justices are chosen?

    • Through an independent selection commission, with the Crown making the formal appointment
    • Appointed by the House of Lords without any independent selection process or consultation
    • Elected by the House of Commons for a fixed term of ten years at each parliament
    • Selected by the US Supreme Court to ensure consistency of rulings across the two countries

  18. Which is an example of the US judiciary checking the executive?

    • The Senate rejecting a judicial nominee after a confirmation hearing in the chamber
    • The President vetoing a judicial appointment that Congress has already approved in both chambers
    • A federal judge being impeached by the House of Representatives for misconduct in office
    • A federal court ruling that a presidential executive order is unconstitutional

  19. What is the basis of the UK Supreme Court's power to review government action?

    • Its powers derive from statute and the rule of law, applied to executive decisions within the limits of parliamentary sovereignty
    • Its powers derive from the Magna Carta, which gives judges authority to overrule Acts of Parliament directly
    • Its powers derive from a national referendum that gave judges the right to repeal laws passed by Parliament
    • Its powers derive from a written constitution that can be amended only by the Supreme Court itself

  20. Which statement about judicial appointments in the US is accurate?

    • Senate confirmation has been a formality for every nominee since 1789, and the chamber has never once rejected a nominee
    • Nominees must be serving members of the House of Representatives before they can be considered
    • Senate confirmation hearings allow scrutiny of nominees, and nominations can become highly politicised
    • Nominees are approved by a popular referendum held every eight years in all states

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