Question 1 Medium
Often tested
The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1998 and sits in Edinburgh
False
Correct answer
True
Explanation
The Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999.
Government & Law questions
Elections and Devolved Administrations Life in the UK Test Questions
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Question 2 Medium
Often tested
In 1998 the Good Friday Agreement
led to the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly
The 1998 Good Friday Agreement created the Northern Ireland Assembly with a power-sharing arrangement.
Correct answer
devolved powers to Wales
Welsh devolution was delivered by the Government of Wales Act 1998, not the Good Friday Agreement.
devolved powers to Scotland
Scottish devolution was delivered by the Scotland Act 1998, not the Good Friday Agreement.
Question 3 Medium
When was the Northern Ireland Parliament established for the first time?
In 1932
1932 is ten years too late — a Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922.
In 1925
1925 is three years after the correct date of 1922.
In 1928
1928 is six years after the correct date — the Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922.
In 1922
A Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922 when Ireland was divided; it was abolished in 1972.
Correct answer
Explanation
A Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922, when Ireland was divided, but it was abolished in 1972, shortly after the Troubles broke out in 1969.
Question 4 Medium
In which of the following matters can the Scottish Parliament legislate (choose FIVE options)?
Planning
Planning is a devolved matter — the Scottish Parliament can legislate on it.
Correct answer
Civil and criminal law
Scotland has its own legal system — the Scottish Parliament can legislate on civil and criminal law.
Correct answer
Economic development
Economic development is not on the list of Scottish Parliament legislative powers.
Immigration
Immigration is reserved to Westminster — the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate on it.
Education
Education is devolved in Scotland — the Scottish Parliament can pass laws on it.
Correct answer
Additional tax-raising powers
The Scottish Parliament has limited additional tax-raising powers beyond the block grant.
Correct answer
Health
Health is devolved — the Scottish Parliament legislates on NHS Scotland.
Correct answer
Explanation
The Scottish Parliament can legislate on: civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and additional tax-raising powers.
Question 5 Medium
Which of the following sentences is true?
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have parliaments or assemblies of their own, with devolved powers in defined areas.
Devolution since the late 1990s gave all three nations their own legislatures for certain policy areas
Correct answer
The UK is governed by the parliament sitting in Glasgow.
Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, but neither the UK Parliament nor the Scottish Parliament sits there
Scotland and Wales have parliaments or assemblies of their own, but not Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland also has its own assembly; all three devolved nations have their own legislatures
The UK is governed by the parliament sitting in Edinburgh.
The Scottish Parliament sits in Edinburgh, but the UK Parliament sits in Westminster, London
Explanation
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have parliaments or assemblies of their own, with devolved powers in defined areas.
Question 6 Easy
How are the members of the Northern Ireland Parliament elected?
Using a system of ranked voting
While proportional representation in NI uses STV (a ranked system), the key term used officially is proportional representation.
Using the first past the post system
First past the post is used for Westminster MPs, not the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Using a runoff system
A runoff system is not used for Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
By a system of proportional representation
The 90 MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly are elected by proportional representation.
Correct answer
Explanation
The Northern Ireland Assembly has 90 elected members, known as MLAs (members of the Legislative Assembly). They are elected with a form of proportional representation.
Question 7 Medium
The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to legislate on any issues that affect them:
False
Correct answer
True
Explanation
Devolved governments can legislate only on matters specifically devolved to them — they cannot legislate on any issue they choose; reserved matters such as defence and foreign affairs remain with Westminster.
Question 8 Easy
What sort of election takes place when a member of the Parliament (MP) dies or resigns?
Pre-selection
Pre-selection is an internal party process — not a type of public election.
By-election
A by-election is held in a constituency when its MP dies or resigns.
Correct answer
Random selection
MPs are not chosen by random selection.
Coalition
A coalition is when two parties share government — not a type of election.
Explanation
A by-election is held in a constituency when its MP dies or resigns, to ensure the seat is filled promptly.
Question 9 Medium
What name is given to the elected members of the Welsh government?
SMs
Elected members of the Welsh Senedd are known as SMs (Senedd Members).
Correct answer
MLAs
MLAs are elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
MPs
MPs are elected to the UK Parliament at Westminster.
MSPs
MSPs are elected members of the Scottish Parliament.
Explanation
Elected members of the Welsh Senedd are called SMs (Senedd Members). MLAs serve in the Northern Ireland Assembly; MSPs serve in the Scottish Parliament; MPs sit at Westminster.
Question 10 Medium
How can you visit the Senedd?
Contacting the Senedd Booking Service
Guided tours and public gallery seats at the Senedd are booked through the Senedd Booking Service.
Correct answer
Contacting an MLA
MLAs represent Northern Ireland — they cannot arrange visits to the Welsh Senedd.
Contacting an MP
MPs are Westminster representatives and do not arrange Senedd visits.
Contacting the Education Service
The Northern Ireland Assembly uses an Education Service — the Senedd uses its own Booking Service.
Explanation
To book guided tours or seats in the public galleries for the Senedd you can contact the Senedd Booking Service on 0300 200 6565, email contact@senedd.wales or visit www.senedd.wales for an online booking form.
Question 11 Medium
What is the name of the building where the Northern Ireland Assembly meet?
Senedd
The Senedd is the Welsh Parliament building in Cardiff — not the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Stormont
The Northern Ireland Assembly meets at Stormont, its building in Belfast.
Correct answer
Holyrood
Holyrood is the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh — not the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Westminster
Westminster is the UK Parliament in London — not the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Explanation
In Northern Ireland elected members, known as MLAs, meet in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, in Belfast.
Question 12 Medium
In which of the following matters the Scottish Parliament CANNOT legislate?
Immigration
Immigration policy is reserved to the UK Parliament — the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate on it.
Correct answer
Planning
Planning is one of the areas on which the Scottish Parliament can pass laws.
Education
Education is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, which can legislate on it.
Health
Health is a devolved matter — the Scottish Parliament can legislate on it.
Explanation
The matters on which the Scottish Parliament can legislate include: civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and additional tax-raising powers.
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