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Question 1

Which of the following expresses the key characteristics of Jim Bulpitt's model of a 'dual polity'?

a) Sovereignty is located in a single central source at Westminster

b) Sovereignty is formally and constitutionally divided and shared between central and sub-central government

c) The centre determines its relationship with the periphery, usually preferring to informally to grant the periphery substantial autonomy

d) The existence of distinctive political institutions in each of the UK's nations prevents uniformity in relationships between the centre and the periphery

Question 2

Historically, in what sequence did the following nations come together to form the United Kingdom?

a) Ireland then Scotland then Wales

b) Ireland then Wales then Scotland

c) Wales then Ireland then Scotland

d) Wales then Scotland then Ireland

Question 3

The Scotland Act of 1998 lists a number of 'reserved issues' over which the Westminster retains control. Which of the following is a reserved issue which the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate upon?

a) Health

b) Defence and national security

c) Social work

d) Education

Question 4

Which of the following most accurately describes the 'West Lothian Question'?

a) Scotland is over-represented in terms of seats in the House of Commons

b) The Scottish Parliament has greater legislative powers than the Welsh Assembly

c) Scotland enjoys higher public spending per head than England

d) Scottish MPs can speak and vote in the House of Commons on English legislation but English MPs cannot on matters which have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament

Question 5

The Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are differentiated from each other in which of the following ways?

a) The Scottish Parliament has a smaller number of members than the Welsh Assembly

b) The Scottish Parliament has power to alter the basic rate of tax set by Westminster up or down by 3p, the Welsh Assembly can only vary tax rates up or down by 2p

c) The Scottish Parliament has primary legislative powers, the Welsh Assembly has no primary legislative powers

d) The Scottish Parliament is elected by Additional Member System and the Welsh Assembly is elected by Single Transferable Vote

Question 6

Why did the referendum on Scottish devolution held on 1 March 1979 not lead to the immediate creation of a Scottish Parliament?

a) The majority of voters in the referendum voted against a Scottish Parliament

b) The majority of voters in the referendum in Scotland voted for a Scottish Parliament but a majority of voters in the referendum in England voted against a Scottish Parliament

c) The majority of voters in Scotland voted for a Scottish Parliament but a low turnout in the referendum meant that under 40% of the registered Scottish electorate voted in favour of a Scottish Parliament

d) The majority of voters in Scotland voted for a Scottish Parliament but the Labour Government fell before it could introduce legislation to create a Scottish Parliament

Question 7

Which political party is being described below?
"A participant in the Scottish Constitutional Convention, this party advocated a Yes vote in the 1997 referendum. Following the Scottish Elections of 1999 and 2003 it has been the fourth largest party in the Parliament and the junior partner in the governing coalition"

a) The Liberal Democrats

b) The Scottish Conservative Party

c) The SNP

d) The Green Party

Question 8

As part of the 'Good Friday Agreement' the Irish government agreed to revise Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution. Articles 2 and 3 dealt with:

a) The neutrality of the Republic of Ireland.

b) The provision of refuge in the Republic of Ireland for Republican paramilitaries.

c) A claim that the Republic's territory consisted of the whole island of Ireland.

d) Prohibition of abortion in the Republic of Ireland.

Question 9

Which of the following organizations are associated with nationalist politics in Northern Ireland?

a) The SDLP

b) The Orange Order

c) The UDA

d) The DUP

Question 10

Why has the Northern Ireland Assembly been repeatedly suspended since its formation?

a) The breakdown of paramilitary ceasefires

b) Disagreements over reform of policing in Northern Ireland

c) Failure to make progress on decommissioning of paramilitary weapons

d) Failure to agree on the composition of the Northern Ireland executive

Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Chapter 17.

Chapter 17

Instructions