Revision Questions

1. Revision Questions

2. The questions in this resource do not cover each of the Intermediate topics entirely, you should therefore ensure that you study your notes fully before the final exam. You should aim to provide detailed answers to each of the following questions in this resource.

3. The revision questions are arranged by topic. You should answer only answer the questions that are appropriate for you. S4: Scottish Government & Politics, Crime & the Law and China S5: Central Government & Politics, Crime & the Law the USA

4. Scottish Government & Politics Scottish Government & Politics Scottish Government & Politics • What are devolved matters? • What system of voting is used in Scotland? • What is the role of an MSPin the Constituency/Region? • What is the role of an MSP in Parliament? • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the purpose/role of local government? • What is a pressure group? • Provide an example of a pressure group. • Give two reasons why some people supported setting up the Scottish Parliament. • What is a referendum? • What are devolved matters? • Describe the four founding principles of the Scottish Parliament (power sharing, accountability, participation, equal opportunity). • Explain the system of voting that is used in Scotland. • What are the arguments for & against the AMS? • What are devolved matters? • What system of voting is used in Scotland? • What is the role of an MSPin the Constituency/Region? • What is the role of an MSP in Parliament? • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the purpose/role of local government? • What is a pressure group? • Provide an example of a pressure group.

5. Scottish Government & Politics Scottish Government & Politics Scottish Government & Politics • What are devolved matters? • What system of voting is used in Scotland? • What is the role of an MSPin the Constituency/Region? • What is the role of an MSP in Parliament? • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the purpose/role of local government? • What is a pressure group? • Provide an example of a pressure group. • What is the role of an MSPin the Constituency/Region? • What is the role of an MSP in Parliament? E.g. committees, debates; decision time, Questions… • Describe the role of the First Minister for Scotland. • Describe how a bill passes through Parliament. • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the role of Local Government? E.g. discretionary/mandatory services • What are devolved matters? • What system of voting is used in Scotland? • What is the role of an MSPin the Constituency/Region? • What is the role of an MSP in Parliament? • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the purpose/role of local government? • What is a pressure group? • Provide an example of a pressure group.

6. Scottish Government & Politics Scottish Government & Politics Scottish Government & Politics • What are devolved matters? • What system of voting is used in Scotland? • What is the role of an MSPin the Constituency/Region? • What is the role of an MSP in Parliament? • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the purpose/role of local government? • What is a pressure group? • Provide an example of a pressure group. • Describe two sources of funding that local councils receive. • What is a pressure group? • What is difference between ‘insider’ & ‘outsider’ groups? • Provide a detailed example of a pressure group. • Describe four main types of media? • How can television media influence the public? • How can newspaper media influence the public? • What are devolved matters? • What system of voting is used in Scotland? • What is the role of an MSPin the Constituency/Region? • What is the role of an MSP in Parliament? • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the purpose/role of local government? • What is a pressure group? • Provide an example of a pressure group.

7. Central Government & Politics • What does the term representative democracy mean? • What are Reserved matters? • What system of voting is used in UK elections? • Explain the difference between being a MP and ‘being in Government’. • What is the role of a MPin the Constituency? • What is the role of a MP in Parliament? e.g. debates, Question Time etc.

8. Central Government & Politics • Describe the main functions of committee system in Parliament. • What is the role of the House Lords? • Explain in detail why the House of Lords is criticised and calls are made for it’s reform. • Describe how a bill passes through Parliament. • What is the Executive? • Describe the role of the Cabinet • What does the term ‘first among equals mean’?

9. Central Government & Politics • Describe the role of the Prime Minister (refer to appointment, executive head; dissolution, international role; media, civil service) • Explain the reasons why the number of people taking part in the voting process in recent years has declined. • What ideas have been suggested to improve voter turnout? • What is a pressure group? • Provide an example of a pressure group.

10. Central Government & Politics • Describe four main types of media? • Explain how the media informs the public. • Why is the concept of free press important in a democracy? • How can television media influence the public? • How can newspaper media influence the public? • Explain the concept of ‘spin’.

11. Crime & the Law • What is the difference between Criminal Law & Civil Law? • Describe in detail the adult court system in Scotland. • Describe summary & solemn procedures • Describe the following list of sentences available in Scotland: Supervised Attendance Order, Probation Order; Community Sentence Order, Electronic Tagging, Community Payback Order & Imprisonment.

12. Crime & the Law • Why do some believe that non-custodial sentences are better than custodial sentences for less serious crime? • Describe the civil court system in Scotland • What are the main principles of the Children’s hearing system in Scotland? • Describe in detail the Children’s hearing system in Scotland? • Why do some people criticise the Children’s hearing system?

13. Crime & the Law • The most serious type of crime is murder, describe at least four other types of crime. • Describe, at least four main, causes of crime. • Describe in detail the law, in relation to alcohol & Drugs. • Describe in detail the law, in relation to driving. • Provide examples for changes to the law in relation to alcohol, drugs & driving

14. Crime & the Law • Describe the structure of police in Scotland. • Describe the three branches of Police. • Describe in detail the role of the Police. • Describe what is involved in Community Policing. • Describe in detail at least two police initiatives used by Strathclyde police to tackle crime. • Describe the current technology used by police to deal with crime.

15. China - Politics • What is name of the leading party in China? • Who is the highest official in China? • In what ways can the people of China participate in the political process? • Is political participation limited in any way? • At what level of government can people take part in an election process? How often do elections take place?

16. China - Human Rights • Why is the Chinese government’s Human Rightsrecord a concern? • Which religious groups have been suppressed by the Chinese government? • Describe the Laogai & Ankang prison camps that are used to hold political dissidents in China? • What government policy was introduced in 1979 to control the growing population? • What is the name of the (imprisoned) political activist who was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? Why was he imprisoned?

17. China - Economy • Describe the Household Responsibility System? • Explain the aims of the Great Leap Forward. • Describe in detail China’s Open Door Policy? • What is a Special Economic Zone?

18. China - Inequalities • Describe the Hukou system. • Describe in detail the social and economic inequality between urban and rural areas in China. (E.g. Health, housing; employment, income…) • Describe in detail the social and economic inequality in cities such as Beijing. • Describe the growing crime problem in China.

19. USA • Outline the five main ethnic groups in the USA (as % of population, distribution etc.) • Why are Hispanic groups more likely to live in States such as Texas and Arizona? • What is the estimated size of the immigrant population? • Which states do most illegal immigrants settle in? • Describe at least two arguments for & against immigration. • Explain, in detail, the methods that the government have taken to tackle immigration.

20. USA • Outline the differences between housing in ghettos, such as those found in Detroit and affluent suburbs like Beverley Hills. • Why do some minorities have lower rates of health insurance compared to others? • Describe in detail inequalities in health between ethnic groups. • What measures has the government put in place to tackle health inequalities?

21. USA • Explain in detail why ghettos, such as those found in Detroit, suffer greater crime problems than in suburban areas. • Why are APIs & white Americans more successful in employment than black & Hispanic Americans? • What effect has the recent economic downturn had on unemployment? • Describe fully the vicious cycle of unemployment? • In what ways does TANF help to meet the needs of those living in poverty?

22. USA • What is the US Constitution? • Explain why women and ethnic minorities are under-represented in the USA political system • Describe fully the opportunities that American citizens have to take part in the political system • Why do people join interest groups? How influential are interest groups, use specific examples.