Chapter 5 topic practice

Civic Participation and Volunteering Questions

Participation is broader than voting. It can include contacting representatives, volunteering, serving on a jury when summoned, joining community groups and helping care for shared places.

Questions with explanations

10 Civic participation and volunteering questions

Choose an answer before opening the explanation. These study questions are presented in static HTML so they can be read without starting a timer or enabling JavaScript.

  1. Sample question 1

    Which two of the following are environmental charities?

    • Crisis
    • The National Trust
    • Friends of the Earth
    • PDSA
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: The National Trust and Friends of the Earth

    The National Trust and Friends of the Earth are environmental charities.

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  2. Sample question 2

    The Northern Ireland Assembly cannot make decisions on:

    • Education
    • Defence
    • Agriculture
    • Health
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: Defence

    The Northern Ireland Assembly can make decisions on issues such as education, agriculture, the environment, health and social services. It cannot make decisions on defence.

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  3. Sample question 3

    A good way to support your local community is to shop for products locally.

    • TRUE
    • FALSE
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: TRUE

    This statement is true.

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  4. Sample question 4

    Which political party does the Speaker represent?

    • The Liberal Democrats
    • The Conservative party
    • The Labour Party
    • They do not represent any political party
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: They do not represent any political party

    The Speaker is neutral and does not represent a political party, even though he or she is an MP, represents a constituency and deals with the constituents’ problems like any other MP.

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  5. Sample question 5

    Many MPs, MSs and MSPs hold regular local events where constituents can discuss concerns. What are these events commonly called?

    • Hansard
    • Local ‘surgeries’
    • Local ‘meetings’
    • Constituents ‘reunions’
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: Local ‘surgeries’

    Elected representatives often hold local surgeries where constituents can raise concerns in person.

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  6. Sample question 6

    Which of the following is not a duty of the police?

    • Protect life and property
    • Protect the environment
    • Prevent disturbances
    • Prevent and detect crimes
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: Protect the environment

    The job of the police in the UK is to protect life and property, prevent disturbances (also known as keeping the peace) and prevent and detect crime.

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  7. Sample question 7

    In which two cases may a person who has been summoned to do jury service be exempted from doing it:

    • If they have a criminal conviction
    • If they have children
    • If they provide a good reason to be excused, such as ill health
    • If they have to go to work
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: If they have a criminal conviction and If they provide a good reason to be excused, such as ill health

    Everyone who is summoned to do jury service must do it unless they are not eligible (for example, because they have a criminal conviction) or they provide a good reason to be excused, such as ill health.

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  8. Sample question 8

    On which of the following issues the Northern Ireland Assembly CANNOT make decisions?

    • Health
    • Education
    • The Environment
    • Planning
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: Planning

    The Northern Ireland Assembly can make decisions on issues such as education, agriculture, the environment, health and social services.

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  9. Sample question 9

    How many countries formed the European Economic Community (EEC) when it was first created in 1957?

    • Five
    • Six
    • Seven
    • Nine
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: Six

    The European Economic Community (EEC) was set up by six western European countries—Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands—which signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957.

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  10. Sample question 10

    Where should you look for current contact details for an MP, MS or MSP?

    • An old printed phone book
    • The relevant Parliament or legislature’s official website
    • A European Parliament directory
    • The Royal Household
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: The relevant Parliament or legislature’s official website

    Use the official website of the UK Parliament, Senedd or Scottish Parliament for current representative and contact information.

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