Civics Polity

Legislature and Parliament

1,499 Questions

Legislature and Parliament topics cover the structure, functions, and legislative procedures of the lawmaking bodies. This collection focuses on the passage of bills, parliamentary committees, and the roles of different houses. These questions are highly relevant for civil services and state public service commission examinations.

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Legislature and Parliament Questions

Multiple choice

What are the two main types of committees in a legislative body?

  1. Standing committees and select committees

  2. House committees and Senate committees

  3. Conference committees and joint committees

  4. Subcommittees and task forces
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Standing committees are permanent committees that are established at the beginning of each legislative session. Select committees are temporary committees that are created to address specific issues or topics.

Multiple choice

Who is typically allowed to participate in a floor debate?

  1. Only the sponsor of the bill.

  2. Only members of the committee that considered the bill.

  3. All members of the legislative body.

  4. Only the leaders of the political parties.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In most legislative bodies, all members are allowed to participate in the floor debate, regardless of their position on the bill or their committee assignments.

Multiple choice

What is the usual order of business during a floor debate?

  1. The sponsor of the bill presents their case.

  2. Members take turns speaking in favor of or against the bill.

  3. Amendments to the bill are proposed and debated.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The floor debate typically begins with the sponsor of the bill presenting their case, followed by members taking turns speaking in favor of or against the bill. Amendments to the bill may also be proposed and debated during the floor debate.

Multiple choice

How are amendments to a bill voted on?

  1. By a simple majority of the members present.

  2. By a two-thirds majority of the members present.

  3. By a unanimous vote of the members present.

  4. By a voice vote.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In most legislative bodies, amendments to a bill are voted on by a simple majority of the members present.

Multiple choice

What is the usual procedure for passing a bill in a legislative body?

  1. A simple majority of the members present.

  2. A two-thirds majority of the members present.

  3. A unanimous vote of the members present.

  4. It depends on the rules of the body.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The procedure for passing a bill in a legislative body can vary depending on the rules of the body. In some bodies, a simple majority of the members present is required to pass a bill, while in others a two-thirds majority or even a unanimous vote is required.

Multiple choice

What is the usual procedure for considering a conference report in a legislative body?

  1. It is automatically adopted by both chambers.

  2. It is subject to debate and amendment in both chambers.

  3. It is voted on by a simple majority of the members present in both chambers.

  4. It is voted on by a two-thirds majority of the members present in both chambers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A conference report is typically subject to debate and amendment in both chambers of a legislative body. After the report has been debated and amended, it is voted on by a simple majority of the members present in both chambers.

Multiple choice

What is the usual procedure for considering a veto override vote in a legislative body?

  1. It is automatically overridden.

  2. It is subject to debate and amendment.

  3. It is voted on by a simple majority of the members present.

  4. It is voted on by a two-thirds majority of the members present.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A veto override vote is typically voted on by a two-thirds majority of the members present in each chamber of the legislative body.

Multiple choice

The number of representatives in the House of Representatives is based on:

  1. Population

  2. Land area

  3. Economic output

  4. Historical precedent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The number of representatives in the House of Representatives is based on the population of each state.

Multiple choice

The Senate is composed of:

  1. Two senators from each state

  2. One senator from each state

  3. Three senators from each state

  4. Four senators from each state
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Senate is composed of two senators from each state.

Multiple choice

The legislative process begins with:

  1. The introduction of a bill in the House of Representatives

  2. The introduction of a bill in the Senate

  3. The President signing a bill into law

  4. The Supreme Court ruling on a bill
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The legislative process begins with the introduction of a bill in the House of Representatives.

Multiple choice

A bill must pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate in order to become a law.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A bill must pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate in order to become a law.

Multiple choice

The President can veto a bill passed by Congress.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The President can veto a bill passed by Congress.

Multiple choice

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Multiple choice

How were decisions made in the Continental Congress?

  1. By a simple majority vote

  2. By a two-thirds majority vote

  3. By a unanimous vote

  4. By a three-fourths majority vote
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Decisions in the Continental Congress were made by a unanimous vote, which meant that all 13 states had to agree.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common form of delegated legislation?

  1. Regulations

  2. Orders

  3. Statutory instruments

  4. Bills
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Bills are not a form of delegated legislation. They are proposed laws that are introduced in a legislature for debate and approval. Delegated legislation, on the other hand, is created by the executive branch or other government agencies under the authority granted by a parent statute.