Text Study

Ex. 1. Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

1. The Constitution is a mirror …… the national soul.

   1. reflecting

   2. having

   3. vesting

   4. debating

2. One of the reasons for having special constitutional laws is …… government from becoming too powerful.

   1. to constitute

   2. to prevent

   3. to elect

   4. to introduce

3. No change of policy of any importance would be considered without …... .

   1. Queen’s sanction

   2. Parliament sanction

   3. the Lord Chancellor’s sanction

   4. the Cabinet sanction

4. The …… met urgently at 10 Downing Street to decide government policy on the new economic crises.

   1. civil service

   2. Privy Council

   3. Cabinet

   4. ministries

5. The exact effect of legislation is influenced by judicial …… .

   1. interpretation

   2. custom

   3. sovereignty

   4. codification

6. Parliament is a …… body.

   1. legislation

   2. legislature

   3. legislative

   4. legislate

7. …… , codes and delegated legislation are all sources of written law.

   1. Law reports

   2. statutes

   3. Rules of law

   4. Court cases

8. The Minister presented the new Housing …… to the House of Commons for reading and debate.

   1. Act

   2. Code

   3. Law

   4. Bill

9. The government lost the confidence of the House of Commons, Parliament was dissolved and a/an …… was called.

   1. general Election

   2. electoral roll

   3. by-election

   4. election campaign

10. In general, a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament when it has received the …… of both Houses of Parliament and the sovereign.

    1. consent

    2. ratification

    3. enactment

    4. assent

Ex. 2.  Mark the statements which are true.

1. The Constitution describes the life of the people.

2. The Constitution is contained in a lot of documents.

3. In Britain Parliament is the supreme authority.

4. Law courts interpret and apply laws.

5. To become an Act of Parliament a bill must be signed by the Queen.

6. In the House a bill must pass only one reading.

7. The Lords can reject any bill.

8. Government consists of about seventy politicians.

9. The Cabinet proceedings are private and confidential.

10. The Court judgements are not subject to ministerial direction or control.

Ex. 3.  Complete the following sentences by adding the phrases given in part B.

Part A

Part B

A constitution is ... British constitution is made up of ... Most modern constitutions have adopted ... The executive branch puts ... Law courts constitute ... The first reading of a bill is followed by ... If the Lords agree to a bill ... The composition of government may vary both ... The Cabinet can always have ... The job of Lord Chancellor is ...

... the judicial branch. ... in the number of ministers and in titles. ... administration of all courts, judicial appointments and appointment of magistrates. ... more than a mechanical set of ground rules. ... the laws into effect. ... it will be passed before the Queen for signature. ... the last word. ... statute law, common law and conventions. ... a debate in general principle. ... the principle of separation of powers.

Ex. 4.  Comment on the following charts:

How Bills Go through Parliament