7.2　课后习题详解

1. What is a constitutional monarchy? When did it begin in Britain?

Key: The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy: the head of State is a king or a queen. In practice, the Sovereign reigns, but does not rule: the United Kingdom is governed by His or Her Majesty’s Government.

The monarchy is the oldest institution of government went back to at least the 9th century.

2. What is the role of the Monarchy in the British government?

Key: ①The Queen performs certain important acts of government, including summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament, and giving Royal Assent to Bills passed by Parliament. ②She also formally appoints many important office holders. An important function is appointing the Prime Minister. In international affairs, the Queen, as head of State, has the power to declare war and make peace, to recognize foreign states and governments.

3. What are the main functions of Parliament?

Key: The main functions of Parliament are: (1) to pass laws; (2) to provide, by voting for taxation the means of carrying on the work of government; (3) to examine government Policy and administrations, including proposals for expenditure; and (4) to debate the major issues of the day.

4. What does the Cabinet consist of? What does the collective responsibility of Cabinet government mean?

Key: Her Majesty’s Government is the body of ministers responsible for the conduct of national affairs.

Ministers are responsible collectively to Parliament for all Cabinet decisions; individual Ministers are responsible to Parliament for the work of their departments.

5. Who does the Privy Council consist of? Do you think it is very powerful now? Why (not)?

Key: The Privy Council includes all Cabinet ministers, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Archbishops of Canter-bury and York, and senior British and Commonwealth statesmen.

No. The Privy Council was formerly the chief source of executive power in the State. Today its role is largely formal, advising the sovereign to approve certain government decrees and issuing royal proclamations.

6. Who are the members of the House of Lords? What is the function of the House of Lords?

Key: The House of Lords is made up of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal. The Lords Spiritual are the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and 24 senior bishops of the Church of England. The Lords Temporal consist of (1) all hereditary peers and peeresses of England, Scotland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom; (2) life peers created to assist the House in its judicial duties; (3) all other life peers.

The main function of the House of Lords is to bring the wide experience of its members into the process of lawmaking.

7. What are the two major parties in Britain today?

Key: The two major parties in Britain are the Labor Party and the Conservative Party.

8. How many constituencies are there in Britain today? How many members are there in the House of Commons?

Key: Of the 651 seats, 524 are for England, 38 for Wales, 72 for Scotland, and 17 for Northern Ireland. Each member represents an area (or constituency). The House of Commons consists of 651 Members of Parliament (MPs).

9. How often does a general election take place?

Key: Five years

10. What are the responsibilities of the County Council and the District Council?

Key: County councils provide large-scale services, while district councils are responsible for the more local ones. At present in England, county councils are responsible for transport planning, traffic regulation, education, consumer protection, police, the fire service, and personal social services. District councils are responsible for environmental health, housing and refuse collection.