Northern Ireland CCEA AS Politics Practice Test

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• Which of the following is NOT a reason for the SDLP's decline?
• What role does the First Minister have in the Northern Ireland Executive?
• What obstacle do private members' bills face in the Assembly?
• How did the Executive improve tourism during the 2011-2016 period?
• Which of the following best describes the Irish Language Act’s goal?
• What is meant by 'executive power'?
• What is the main purpose of the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What was the main intention behind the Direct Rule implemented in Northern Ireland?
• What is the role of political parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What is the meaning of 'Unionist' in Northern Ireland politics?
• What type of services do local governments generally provide?
• What is a common reason for the success of committees?
• What role does the Attorney General play within the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What does 'political ideology' refer to?
• What is often a consequence of high levels of voter apathy?
• What is one outcome of civil engagement in democracy?
• In the context of the UK constitution, which term refers to unwritten rules followed by political actors?
• What might be an effective way to counter voter apathy among young voters?
• What role does the Northern Ireland Assembly play in the legislative process?
• Which body is responsible for the governing of Northern Ireland?
• What challenge does the Northern Ireland Assembly often face?
• What is a political action committee (PAC)?
• In which context is "devolution" particularly significant for Northern Ireland?
• What does the role of the Prime Minister include?
• What are three reasons for Sinn Féin's political dominance?
• Which of the following was a notable investment from the 2007-2011 Programme for Government?
• What percentage of goals were achieved in the 2007-2011 Programme for Government in Northern Ireland?
• What is meant by 'political culture'?
• Why is the opposition considered effective in governing Northern Ireland?
• What is a key goal of local governments in supporting public accountability?
• What is one challenge to DUP dominance in Northern Ireland?
• Which of the following best describes the First Minister's international role?
• What is a referendum?
• Alasdair McDonnell was referred to as which of the following?
• Which system of voting is designed to achieve proportional representation in Northern Ireland?
• How can the public influence political decisions in Northern Ireland?
• What is a significant factor contributing to human rights issues in Northern Ireland?
• What does 'political accountability' require from government officials?
• Which factor is NOT typically associated with voter apathy?
• How many times was the Petition of Concern utilized?
• Which committee examines the bills line by line?
• What does the policy of a "shared future" aim to address in Northern Ireland?
• In what way can local government impact community life?
• What is the definition of voter apathy?
• What is the main role of the Speaker in the Assembly?
• What impact did the lack of opposition prior to 2016 have on the Executive's performance?
• What does 'sectarianism' refer to in the context of Northern Ireland?
• How many leaders has the SDLP had since 1998?
• How have the DUP's seats changed from 1998 to 2017?
• What is the mechanism for removing a Minister from the Northern Ireland Executive?
• What do Statutory Committees in Northern Ireland have the power to do under Section 44 of the 1998 NI Act?
• What is the significance of the Good Friday Agreement?
• Which factor is responsible for the decrease in UUP seats?
• What aspect of civil society do NGOs primarily focus on in Northern Ireland?
• What does the consent principle ensure for the communities in Northern Ireland?
• What is the main function of statutory committees in the Assembly?
• What was one reason cited for the failure of the SDLP and the UUP coalition?
• How is legislation defined in political terms?
• What are 'political loyalties' in the context of Northern Irish politics?
• Why might some candidates skip debates?
• What does the committee bill ensure regarding complaints about members?
• What is the decrease in the SDLP's seats from 1998 to 2017?
• How many Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are there in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What was a significant allocation made under the 'shared future' policy?
• What is one reason for the inconsistent success of the SDLP/UUP?
• What political ideology emphasizes the interests of a particular nation and may seek self-governance?
• Which term describes established practices that are not legally enforceable within the UK constitution?
• What purpose do 'cross-community votes' serve in the Assembly?
• What type of policies have hindered the Alliance Party's electoral growth?
• What is a challenge faced by local governments in Northern Ireland?
• Why is the judiciary important in a democracy?
• Which political strategy has contributed to the success of Sinn Fein?
• What is a main characteristic of the devolved parliamentary system in Northern Ireland?
• What did the number of UUP seats decrease to from 1998 to 2017?
• How does local government governance differ from national governance?
• To what number have Sinn Fein's seats increased from 1998 to 2017?
• Public accountability in Northern Ireland requires governments to be responsive to what?
• What is the significance of the 'Northern Ireland Act 1998'?
• What is a key factor in the dominance of Sinn Fein?
• What does the term 'shared future' refer to in the context of Northern Ireland politics?
• Which of the following is a major human rights issue in Northern Ireland?
• What has been one of Sinn Fein's policies since 1998?
• What significant issue did voters react to in 2005 concerning the democratic deficit?
• Which entity is mainly responsible for local governance in Northern Ireland?
• What is a reason individual ministerial responsibility does not typically occur in Northern Ireland?
• How is public accountability defined in the context of Northern Irish governance?
• What is the primary role of the Speaker in the UK Parliament?
• How do civil liberties differ from civil rights?
• Which private members' bill failed to pass in the Assembly?
• What is the significance of 'North-South Cooperation'?
• Who are the identified Sinn Fein leaders in Northern Ireland?
• What power does the Northern Ireland Assembly have concerning legislation?
• Which issue is a point of disagreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP?
• What is the primary role of the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• Why has the Alliance Party struggled to increase its vote significantly?
• What is the primary support of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)?
• What does 'consociationalism' refer to in Northern Ireland politics?
• How does the electoral system impact political outcomes?
• Why was the opposition viewed as ineffective before 2016?
• What are the main functions of political parties?
• What is the purpose of the 'd'Hondt' system in Northern Ireland politics?
• What does the term 'party system' refer to?
• Which of the following best describes a duty of local government in Northern Ireland?
• Which term defines the voting system that requires majority support from both Unionists and Nationalists?
• What is a notable criticism of the Executive's handling of legacy issues?
• How many Written Questions can an MLA table per day?
• Why are committees particularly successful in the Assembly?
• What major changes occurred for the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland politics following the 2016 election?
• What role does the Prime Minister play in the UK government?
• Which scandal involved a Minister who refused to resign despite public pressure?
• What is the number of Facebook followers for the SDLP?
• How many followers does Sinn Fein have on social media?
• What significant outcome was achieved with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement?
• How many bills were passed in Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2011?
• Who is responsible for appointing a new First Minister in Northern Ireland?
• What does the term "democratic deficit" refer to in the context of Northern Ireland?
• What significant event did the Good Friday Agreement lead to in Northern Ireland?
• Which party notably dominated the Executive prior to the establishment of the official opposition?
• Which of the following best describes 'reserved powers'?
• What is a common characteristic of a minority government?
• What defines a bicameral legislature?
• In the context of Northern Ireland, what does 'devolution' refer to?
• Which of the following contributed to the decline of the UUP?
• What might be a consequence of parliamentary sovereignty?
• What is a significant accomplishment of the Titanic Visitor Centre?
• Who has the authority to create or end any law in the UK?
• Which of the following best describes the role of debates in democratic elections?
• Which political parties are considered the main parties in Northern Ireland?
• What is the purpose of a 'budget bill' in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What was a significant outcome of the forced coalition under the Good Friday Agreement?
• In which context is the term 'sectarian divisions' most relevant?
• What does the Programme for Government outline?
• Which political entity holds authority over UK-wide matters as opposed to local matters in Northern Ireland?
• How does the electoral process in Northern Ireland Assembly elections work?
• Which organization is tasked with examining legislation from government departments?
• Why are 'all-party groups' significant in the Assembly?
• What is the primary purpose of a constitution?
• How does popular sovereignty influence governance?
• What are the main sources of UK law?
• Why is public accountability important in governance?
• What role do Political Pacts play in Northern Ireland?
• What is the principle of 'the rule of law'?
• Which political party supports the Irish Language Act?
• How does the media primarily influence politics?
• What is the primary role of local government in Northern Ireland?
• What is typically included in an electoral manifesto?
• During the 2011-2013 session, how many of the bills were Executive bills?
• What bill was passed with all amendments approved?
• What are civil rights?
• Which concept is used to describe political decisions being reached through negotiations in Northern Ireland?
• Which political identity seeks to maintain Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom?
• How does the petition of concern work to influence legislation in Northern Ireland?
• Which factor is often cited as a reason for the difficulty of passing private members' bills?
• Which of the following is NOT a method for the public to influence political decisions?
• How is the term 'Nationalist' defined in the context of Northern Ireland political identity?
• Which of the following is likely to result from debates during an election cycle?
• Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of local government?
• What reform does the St Andrews Agreement seek to establish regarding ministerial accountability?
• How many bills did the House of Commons pass in one year?
• What does 'direct rule' mean in the context of Northern Ireland?
• What does the 'peace process' refer to in Northern Ireland?
• Which community interests do the Deputy First Ministers represent?
• What is the primary function of the Northern Ireland Executive?
• What aspect of governance do 'minority rights' seek to protect?
• What are 'Assembly Committees' responsible for in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What criticism did the previous Speaker, Robin Newton, face?
• What is an electoral manifesto?
• What is a political spectrum?
• What role do media play in debates during elections?
• Which of the following elements is crucial for ensuring public accountability?
• What is one goal of the governance system known as consociationalism?
• What does "devolution" mean in the context of Northern Ireland?
• What is the principle behind Proportional Representation, particularly in the context of the Single Transferable Vote (STV)?
• What is a significant benefit of public accountability?
• What does the term 'sectarianism' refer to in Northern Ireland?
• What is the main function of Question Time in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What issue significantly contributed to the fall of the Assembly in 2017?
• What is the primary role of the Speaker in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What does the principle of 'parliamentary sovereignty' entail?
• What does 'civil society' refer to in Northern Irish governance?
• In the context of the electoral process, what does 'single transferable vote' refer to?
• What impact can voter apathy have on an election?
• How many committee bills were passed between 2011 and 2016?
• Debates can influence public opinion primarily by:
• What does decommissioning refer to in the context of Northern Ireland's peace process?
• What role do lobbyists play in the political system?
• What impact did the Troubles have on Northern Irish politics?
• What is an MLA in the context of Northern Ireland?
• What percentage of amendments are accepted in Committees?
• What was a primary criticism of Direct Rule in Northern Ireland?
• What aspect of governance does public accountability primarily focus on?
• Which of the following is part of the Executive Committee in Northern Ireland?
• Which committee was tasked with investigating allegations of Ministerial impropriety related to the NI Housing Executive?
• What major event contributed to the rise of Sinn Féin?
• Which aspect of political parties is crucial in a democratic system?
• What are 'minority rights' in the context of Northern Ireland politics?
• What is one key difference between the Northern Ireland Assembly and the UK Parliament?
• What is a typical response to feeling disillusioned with the electoral process?
• Which of the following is a key feature of the UK constitution?
• What is the purpose of 'consultation exercises' in policy-making?
• What defines a minority government?
• Which key area exemplifies cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?
• What leadership quality has particularly aided the rise of the DUP?
• Which of the following best describes the function of the Northern Ireland Executive?
• What does 'unionism' in Northern Ireland advocate for?
• Why did Margaret Ritchie step down in 2011 after one year?
• What does the 'Parity of Esteem' principle emphasize in Northern Ireland?
• What is the primary role of interest groups in politics?
• What is a key responsibility of the Deputy First Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive?
• What does "power-sharing" refer to in the Northern Ireland government context?
• What is likely a key factor leading to voter apathy?
• How often are elections held for the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What is the role of the media in Northern Ireland politics?
• How many private members' bills have been passed?
• Why are party manifestos important in elections?
• Who is eligible to vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections?
• What does 'popular sovereignty' refer to?
• What is the purpose of the system of 'checks and balances'?
• What is often necessary for the success of the Programme for Government?
• What does 'Westminster sovereignty' imply?
• What does 'equality of opportunity' aim to achieve in Northern Ireland?
• What are 'executive orders'?
• How many votes have occurred on same-sex marriage since 2011?
• What is a common policy of both Sinn Fein and the DUP?
• How many leaders has Sinn Fein had?
• What is the main function of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• Which aspect does NOT fall under the definition of executive power?
• What role does civil society play in a democracy?
• What does the term 'watchdog' refer to in media context related to politics?
• In the context of elections, what do debates typically allow candidates to do?
• What is one way interest groups exert influence on policy decisions?
• Which of the following best describes the importance of political accountability?
• What committee bill was passed in March 2011?
• Under which agreement was the Executive Committee established in its current form?
• How does Brexit impact the political landscape of Northern Ireland?
• What did the creation of the Official Opposition in 2016 signify for Northern Ireland politics?
• What significant change did the St Andrews Agreement introduce regarding the roles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister?
• What is meant by a statutory committee?
• What characterizes grassroots movements?
• What is the primary function of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman?
• What issue is addressed by the 'Irish Language Act'?
• What is a coalition government?
• What was one of the key successes of the 2011-2016 Programme for Government?
• How can political parties address the issue of voter apathy?
• Which are the two largest political parties in Northern Ireland?
• What does 'legislative scrutiny' involve in the Assembly?
• What type of support is often necessary for a bill to be successful in the Assembly?
• How is the electoral system in Northern Ireland primarily characterized?
• What is required for a petition of concern to be raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly?
• What is one role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Northern Ireland?
• What are the primary functions of the Northern Ireland Executive?
• How many amendments were involved in the taxi bill that passed?
• What is one function of the Northern Ireland Judicial System?
• What percentage of Northern Ireland supports same-sex marriage?
• How is 'public policy' defined in Northern Ireland?
• What is an example of a consequence of Westminster sovereignty?
• Which of the following best describes the UK constitution?
• What has been a consequence of the STV electoral system in Northern Ireland?
• Which document established the principle of devolution in Northern Ireland?
• What is the purpose of a constituency surgery?
• Why are debates crucial for candidates during elections?
• What is the primary purpose of the D'Hondt mechanism in Northern Ireland's political system?
• What type of government system operates in Northern Ireland?