Chapter 5 Test 2

The official home of the Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, in central London, near the Houses of Parliament. He or she also has a country house outside London called Chequers.

Elections for the European Parliament are held every five years. Elected members are called members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

County Courts deal with a wide range of civil disputes. These include people trying to get back money that is owed to them, cases involving personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract, and divorce. In Scotland, most of these matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court.

In Scotland the elected members, called MSPs, meet in the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates’ Court. In Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court.

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.

The first verse of the National Anthem of the UK is ‘God save our gracious Queen!.

The leader of the opposition also appoints senior opposition MPs to be ‘shadow ministers’. They form the shadow cabinet and their role is to challenge the government and put forward alternative policies.

People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes: wages from paid employment, profits from self-employment, taxable benefits, pensions and income from property, savings and dividends.

There are three devolved administrations in the UK, this include: the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Judges (who are together called ‘the judiciary’) are responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring that trials are conducted fairly.

Drivers can use their driving licence until they are 70 years old. After that, the licence is valid for three years at a time.

The Welsh government and National Assembly for Wales are based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.

Norway is not a member of the European Union.

It is a criminal offence to sell alcohol to anyone who is under 18 or to buy alcohol for people who are under the age of 18. (There is one exception: people aged 16 or over can drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant.

New citizens swear or affirm loyalty to the Queen as part of the citizenship ceremony.

To visit the UK Parliament, you can write to your local MP in advance to ask for tickets or you can Queue on the day at the public entrance.

Forced marriage is where one or both parties do not or cannot give their consent to enter into the partnership.

Drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis are illegal in the UK.

In Northern Ireland elected members, known as MLAs, meet in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont, in Belfast.

Zimbabwe is not a member of the Commonwealth.

Decisions on government policies are made by the Prime Minister and cabinet.

The electoral register is updated every year in September or October.

To drive a car in the UK you need a driving licence, a valid motor insurance, a MOT certificate (for cars over three years old) and the road tax.