CAT-003-Government and the law

{ "version": "1.1", "depotId": "depo-3", "category": { "id": "CAT-003", "name": "Government and the law" }, "questions": [ { "id": "AU3-Q-0001", "topic": "Federation", "question": "What happened in Australia on 1 January 1901?", "options": { "A": "The First Fleet arrived", "B": "The six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia", "C": "Canberra became the capital city" }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "On 1 January 1901 the six British colonies united in a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0002", "topic": "The Constitution", "question": "What is the Australian Constitution?", "options": { "A": "The legal document that sets out the basic rules for the federal government", "B": "A list of the King's duties in Britain", "C": "The rules for local councils only" }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "The Constitution is the legal document that sets out the rules for how Australia's federal government works.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0003", "topic": "The Constitution", "question": "How can the Australian Constitution be changed?", "options": { "A": "By the Prime Minister alone", "B": "By a decision of the High Court", "C": "Only by a vote of the people in a referendum" }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "The Constitution can only be changed by a referendum, where Australian voters vote on the proposed change.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0004", "topic": "Head of state", "question": "Who represents the King in Australia?", "options": { "A": "The Prime Minister", "B": "The Chief Justice", "C": "The Governor-General" }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0005", "topic": "Levels of government", "question": "What are the three levels of government in Australia?", "options": { "A": "Federal, state or territory, and local", "B": "Federal, regional and city", "C": "National, church and local" }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "Australia has three levels of government: federal, state or territory, and local.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0006", "topic": "Levels of government", "question": "Which level of government is responsible for defence?", "options": { "A": "State government", "B": "Federal government", "C": "Local government" }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "The federal government is responsible for matters that affect the whole country, such as defence, immigration and foreign affairs.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0007", "topic": "Levels of government", "question": "Which of these is usually a responsibility of local government?", "options": { "A": "Defence and foreign affairs", "B": "Printing money", "C": "Local roads, parks and rubbish collection" }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "Local councils look after things in their area, such as local roads, parks, libraries and rubbish collection.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0008", "topic": "Federal Parliament", "question": "What are the two houses of the Australian Parliament?", "options": { "A": "The Senate and the High Court", "B": "The House of Representatives and the Senate", "C": "The Cabinet and the House of Lords" }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "The federal Parliament has two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0009", "topic": "Leaders of government", "question": "What is the title of the leader of a state government?", "options": { "A": "Prime Minister", "B": "Governor-General", "C": "Premier" }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "The leader of a state government is called the Premier. The leader of a territory government is called the Chief Minister.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0010", "topic": "Separation of powers", "question": "Why are the powers of government separated in Australia?", "options": { "A": "So that no single group has all the power", "B": "So that parliament can overrule the courts", "C": "So that the Prime Minister can make laws alone" }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "Power is divided between parliament, the government and the courts, so no one group can have complete control.", "ref": "Part 3" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0011", "topic": "Secret ballot", "question": "A voter wants to keep their choice private. What does a secret ballot allow?", "options": { "A": "An official must announce the voter's choice.", "B": "The voter can keep their choice private.", "C": "The voter must tell their employer their choice." }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "Voting is by secret ballot. No one may know whom you voted for unless you choose to tell them.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 24, Voting" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0012", "topic": "Electoral Commission", "question": "A political party wants to influence the agency that runs federal elections. Which statement is correct?", "options": { "A": "The party can direct the agency's decisions.", "B": "Government ministers can decide its election results.", "C": "The Australian Electoral Commission is independent." }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "The Australian Electoral Commission conducts federal elections and referendums independently of the government.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 24, Voting" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0013", "topic": "Elected representatives", "question": "A citizen wants to raise a concern about government policy. Whom can they contact?", "options": { "A": "Their elected representative.", "B": "Only the local court's judge.", "C": "Only the election office." }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "Citizens may contact their elected representative to raise concerns about government policy or suggest a change to a law.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 24, Raising matters with your representatives" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0014", "topic": "Double majority", "question": "What voting result is needed to change the Constitution in a referendum?", "options": { "A": "A majority nationwide and a majority in most states.", "B": "A majority of voters in any one state.", "C": "A majority of members in each House of Parliament." }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "A constitutional change needs a majority of voters across Australia and a majority of voters in a majority of states.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 25, The Australian Constitution" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0015", "topic": "High Court", "question": "Which court has the ultimate power to apply and interpret Australian laws?", "options": { "A": "A local magistrates' court.", "B": "The High Court of Australia.", "C": "A state district court." }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "The Constitution established the High Court, which has the ultimate power to apply and interpret the laws of Australia.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 25, The Australian Constitution" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0016", "topic": "Legislative power", "question": "Parliament is using its legislative power. What can it do?", "options": { "A": "Decide whether a person is guilty in court.", "B": "Put an existing law into practice.", "C": "Make a new law or change an existing law." }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "Legislative power is the power to make and change laws, and it belongs to parliament.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 26, Legislative power" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0017", "topic": "Executive power", "question": "A government minister helps put a law into practice. Which power is being used?", "options": { "A": "Judicial power.", "B": "Executive power.", "C": "Legislative power." }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "Executive power is the power to put laws into practice. Government ministers are part of the Executive.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 26, Executive power" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0018", "topic": "Judicial power", "question": "A judge interprets a law in court. Which power is the judge using?", "options": { "A": "Judicial power.", "B": "Executive power.", "C": "Legislative power." }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "Judges have judicial power to interpret and apply the law independently of parliament and government.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 26, Judicial power" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0019", "topic": "Royal Assent", "question": "Both houses of Parliament agree to a Bill. What does the Governor-General do for it to become law?", "options": { "A": "Calls a public vote on every Bill.", "B": "Sends the Bill to a local council.", "C": "Signs the Bill to give Royal Assent." }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "After both houses agree to a Bill, the Governor-General signs it into law. This is called Royal Assent.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 30, How are laws made?" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0020", "topic": "Federal electorates", "question": "Whom does a member of the House of Representatives represent?", "options": { "A": "The judges of the High Court.", "B": "The people in their federal electorate.", "C": "Only the senators in their state." }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "Members of Parliament in the House of Representatives represent the people in their federal electorates.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 28, The House of Representatives" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0021", "topic": "Senate representation", "question": "How are states represented in the Australian Senate?", "options": { "A": "All states have equal representation.", "B": "Larger states elect more senators.", "C": "Only the most populated states elect senators." }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "Every state is equally represented in the Senate regardless of its size or population.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 28, The Senate" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0022", "topic": "Schools", "question": "Which level of government is primarily responsible for schools?", "options": { "A": "The Australian Government.", "B": "Local councils.", "C": "State and territory governments." }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "Schools are primarily a responsibility of state and territory governments.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 29, What do the three levels of government do?" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0023", "topic": "Independents", "question": "A parliamentarian does not belong to a political party. What are they called?", "options": { "A": "An independent.", "B": "An opposition leader.", "C": "A government minister." }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "A parliamentarian who does not belong to a political party is called an independent.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 30, What role do political parties play in the way Australia is governed?" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0024", "topic": "Forming government", "question": "Which group generally forms the Australian Government after a federal election?", "options": { "A": "The party with most seats in the Senate.", "B": "The party or coalition with a House majority.", "C": "The party with most local council seats." }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "The Australian Government is generally formed by the party or coalition with a majority in the House of Representatives.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 30, How is the Australian Government formed?" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0025", "topic": "Cabinet", "question": "Which government ministers make up the Cabinet?", "options": { "A": "Ministers from every state government.", "B": "Ministers chosen by local councils.", "C": "Ministers with the most important portfolios." }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "Ministers with the most important portfolios make up the Cabinet, the government's key decision-making body.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 30, How is the Australian Government formed?" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0026", "topic": "Bills", "question": "A member of the Australian Parliament proposes a new law. What is the proposal called?", "options": { "A": "A Bill.", "B": "A referendum.", "C": "A court order." }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "A proposal from a member of the Australian Parliament for a new law or a change to a law is called a Bill.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 30, How are laws made?" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0027", "topic": "Juries", "question": "In some court cases, who decides whether a person is innocent or guilty?", "options": { "A": "The lawyer representing the defendant.", "B": "A jury of ordinary Australian citizens.", "C": "The minister who appointed the judge." }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "In some cases a jury of ordinary Australian citizens decides whether the person is innocent or guilty.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 31, Juries" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0028", "topic": "Courts and police", "question": "Police arrest someone they believe has broken a law. Who decides if the person is guilty?", "options": { "A": "The police officer who made the arrest.", "B": "The government minister in charge.", "C": "The court, based on the evidence." }, "correct": "C", "explanation": "The police may bring a person before a court, but the court decides whether the person is guilty based on the evidence.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 31, The police" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0029", "topic": "Federal police", "question": "What does the Australian Federal Police investigate?", "options": { "A": "Only violations of local park rules.", "B": "Crimes against Australian federal laws.", "C": "Only parking offences in every state." }, "correct": "B", "explanation": "The Australian Federal Police investigates crimes against federal laws, including crimes against national security.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 31, The police" }, { "id": "AU3-Q-0030", "topic": "Knowing the law", "question": "A person breaks a law they did not know existed. Which statement is correct?", "options": { "A": "They could still be charged with an offence.", "B": "They cannot be charged for an unknown law.", "C": "They are exempt until someone explains the law." }, "correct": "A", "explanation": "Not knowing an Australian law is no excuse; a person who breaks it could still be charged.", "ref": "Part 3, p. 32, Criminal offences in Australia" } ] }