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Government and Politics Unit 2 Edexcel - 7th June 2011

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OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

THAT....WAS.....BLOODY....BRILLIANT!!!!

Just got back home! Hope everyone felt the same!!

BTW dont discuss the exact content of the exam until tomorrow afternoon. It's TSR's rules, or apparently you get Insta-Banned!

Reply 21

Gizmooo

After unit 1 today, i'm a lot more nervous. Didn't think I did too well so shall be pushing myself to get the most out of this exam.

Hoping the 40 marker is on the power of the executive.

Reply 22

Riz10

If Ne1 Wantz Da January 2011 Or The June 2010 Paper (Edexcel)
Let Me Knw..

Reply 23

Deza

Could you please post the 25 mark and 40 mark questions on here?

So we get 2 40 mark questions and 2 source questions? So could we revise 3 and get away with it?

Reply 24

Deza

Could some also post what essay questions could they ask on Constitution?

Reply 25

yali31

Yep, can u post both those questions Riz10? It would be helpfull

Reply 26

Gromit94

Original post by Deza

Could some also post what essay questions could they ask on Constitution?

Unit 2.1 The UK Constitution
Jan 2011
3). ‘The UK constitution is no longer fit for purpose.’ Discuss. (40)
June 2010
1a). With reference to the source, describe three sources of the UK constitution.
1b). With references to the source, and your own knowledge, explain the arguments in favour of a codified constitution for the UK.
1c). Make out a case against the adoption of a codified constitution for the UK.
Jan 2010
3). ‘The advantages of a codified constitution now outweigh its disadvantages’. Discuss.
June 2009
4). ‘Constitutional reform since 1997 has not gone far enough.’ Discuss.

Unit 2.2 Parliament
Jan 2011
1 (a) With reference to the source, describe two functions of the House of Commons. (5)
(b) With reference to the source, and your own knowledge, explain how the House of Commons can control the power of government. (10)
(c) To what extent is the House of Commons effective in carrying out its various functions? (25)
June 2010
3). To what extent does Parliament control executive power?
Jan 2010
2a). With reference to the source, what changes to the second chamber are proposed?
2b). With reference to the source, and your own knowledge, explain the arguments for a fully or partly elected second chamber.
2c). Make out a case against an elected second chamber.
June 2009
1a). With reference to the source, describe three functions of Parliament.
1b). With reference to the source, and your own knowledge, explain why government needs an effective Parliament.
1c). Analyse the main factors that limit the effectiveness of Parliament.

2.3 Prime Minister and Cabinet
January 2011
2 (a) With reference to the source, describe two limitations on prime ministerial power. (5)
(b) With reference to the source, and your own knowledge, explain the prime minister’s prerogative powers. (10)
(c) To what extent can the Prime Minister control the Cabinet? (25)
June 2010
2a). With reference to source 1, describe two types of issues discussed by the Cabinet.
2b). With reference to source 2, and your own knowledge, what factors does the PM take into account when appointing cabinet ministers?
2c). To what extent is the Cabinet an important body?
January 2010
4). To what extent does the prime minister dominate the political system in the UK?
June 2009
2a). With reference to the source, outline the reasons Gordon Brown gives for proposing that prime ministerial powers be surrendered or limited.
2b). With reference to the source, and your own knowledge, explain the ways in which prime ministers are able to control Parliament.
2c). To what extent has prime ministerial power grown in recent years?

Unit 2.4 The Judiciary and Civil Liberties
January 2011
4). Is the judiciary too powerful, or is it not powerful enough? (40)
June 2010
4). How effectively can the judiciary protect civil liberties in Britain?
January 2010
1a). With reference to the source, describe the measures that exist to maintain the independence and neutrality of the judiciary.
1b). With reference to the source, and your own knowledge, explain how the judiciary has been reformed since 2005.
1c). To what extent are UK judges both independent and neutral?
June 2009
3). How effectively can the judiciary control executive and legislative power in the UK?

That's all the questions. I hope I was allowed to do that...Edexcel seem to be very strange over their past exams....

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 27

CallumMc

Can someone post the questions from January 2011? Just trying to rule out what I don't have to learn.

Reply 28

Gromit94

Original post by CallumMc

Can someone post the questions from January 2011? Just trying to rule out what I don't have to learn.

I did....

Reply 29

lace-rules

Original post by Gromit94

I did....

Hey Gromit,

I was gonna ask you, as I have all my revision notes in order and set up now, what do you think I should do?

Should I just try and learn everything, or just do past papers?

Reply 30

Gromit94

Original post by lace-rules

Should I just try and learn everything, or just do past papers?

Well I've going through my lists systematically reiting each list either outloud or typing a response on my laptop or maybe, if I'm feeling bold, handwriting an answer.

I suppose I should be doing past papers but they look very dreary....

In essence, I'm trying to learn everything but am not getting annoyed if I don't know it all. I'm trying to make sure I've memorised any possible essay questions in 3 easy-to-remember points for paragraphs (i learn best through memorising, I should really relocate myself to the 1950s!)

and then hoping I'm for the best....

Reply 31

lace-rules

Original post by Gromit94

LOL my tried and tested method is to just write an essay on your hand.

Trust me. I was mad enough to do this...however none of what I wrote came up, so be careful what u write ! :smile:

Reply 32

Gromit94

Original post by lace-rules

LOL my tried and tested method is to just write an essay on your hand.

Trust me. I was mad enough to do this...however none of what I wrote came up, so be careful what u write ! :smile:

I know someone who did that once then got so panicky that she'd be caught cheating that her hands sweated the answer off and she was left with a bizarre black ink stain all over her left hand :smile:

Reply 33

yali31

Hey guys, how are you all revising for the Judiciary&Civil Liberties section, so far all I have got is Judicial neutrality and independence! Also, what possible questions could come up with this?
Thanks.

Reply 34

Gromit94

Original post by yali31

I think it's likely to be the source questions so I've written out lists of possible source based questions and then I'm memorising them...unglamourous but it works for me....

Reply 35

Gromit94

Original post by yali31

This is the list I came up with. The ones with (40) next to them have already been essays before:

2.1 The UK Constitution
‘The UK constitution is no longer fit for purpose.’ Discuss. (40)
‘Constitutional Reform since 1997 has not gone far enough’ Discuss (40)
‘The advantages of a codified constitution now outweigh its disadvantages’. Discuss. (40)

2.2 Parliament
Does the Government dominate Parliament?
How successful is Parliament at achieving its aims?
To what extent does Parliament control executive power? (40)
Is Parliamentary Reform needed?

2.3 Prime Minister and Cabinet
To what extent does the PM dominate the political system? (40)
Does the PM have too much power?
Is the PM more like a President?
How effective is Cabinet at controlling the PM?

2.4 Judiciary and Civil Liberties
How effectively can the judiciary control executive and legislative power in the UK? (40)
Is the judiciary too powerful, or is it not powerful enough? (40)
How effectively can the judiciary protect civil liberties in Britain? (40)

Reply 36

yali31

Original post by Gromit94

Thanks soo much; this is really helpful! And yup I think I will try your method - it works for me too :biggrin:

Reply 37

Brand New Eyes

any NEW questions? Edexcel is so hormonal at questions, they never repeat exactly yet they repeat similar things! Constitution seems to be codified/reform, yet the sovereignty of Parliament hasn't come up. Also slightly worried they're in some sort of conspiracy to make the source questions not on constitution/judiciary... -_-

p.s. does anyone know any examples for the judiciary? textbook is looking a little dry...

Reply 38

Shadow8230

Original post by Brand New Eyes

The whole article's interesting but there are four little cases down the bottom highlighting some made areas of conflict between the judiciary and the govt...
It was from 2005 though, bear that in mind.

Reply 39

Balverine

Hi all, here's a collection of past paper questions I found on another thread, some of them may be simillar to Gromits or the same, so not sure how much help they will be, but here they are :biggrin:

ps: I didn't include the executive as I'm leaving that one, but if you want it let me know :biggrin:

Parliament:

A = 5 MARKS
(a) Outline the powers of the House of Lords
(a) Outline two functions of Parliament
(a) Outline two features of a presidential system of government
(a) Outline two features of parliamentary government
(a) Outline the differences in the composition of the Commons and Lords
(a) Outline two differences in he parliamentary government and presidential government
(a) What is parliamentary government?
(a) What is presidential government?

B = 10 MARKS
(b) Explain three ways in which Parliament carries out its scrutinising role
(b) Why is the UK system of government been considered to be parliamentary?
(b) In what ways is Parliament representative?
(b) What are the differences between parliamentary and presidential government?
(b) Explain the functions of parliament
(b) What are the main features of parliamentary government?
(b) Distinguish between the roles and powers of the House of Commons and the House of Lord
(b) In what ways does Parliament hold government to account?

C = 25 MARKS
(c) How effective is Parliament in scrutinising the work of the executive?
(c) Has the UK Parliament become an irrelevant institution?
(c) How effective is Parliament in carrying out its representative role?
(c) How effective is Parliament in controlling the executive?
(c) How effective is parliament in holding the executive to account?
(c) How effectively does the House of Commons ensure executive accountability?
(c) Distinguish between the roles and powers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords
(c) Why has parliament been criticised for being insufficiently representative?
(c) What are the main arguments for and against an elected second chamber?
(c) How effective is Parliament in ensuring executive accountability?
(c) How representative is Parliament?

Constitution:

A = 5 MARKS
(a) Distinguish between a unitary and a federal constitution
(a) Outline two features of a codified constitution
(a) What is sovereignty?
(a) What is a constitution?
(a) What is an uncodified constitution?

B = 10 MARKS
(b) Distinguish between a codified constitution and an uncodified constitution
(b) Explain the main features of the UK constitution
(b) Where is sovereignty located in the UK?
(b) Distinguish between political and legal soverignty
(b) Distinguish between a unitary constitution and a federal constitution
(b) What are the main sources of the UK constitution?

C = 25 MARKS
(c) Assess the strengths of the UK constitution
(c) What are the advantages of a uncondified/codified constitution?
(c) What disadvantages has the UK Constitution?
(c) Distinguish between political and legal sovereignty
(c) Analyse the limitations on parliamentary sovereignty
(c) Why is UK democracy criticised?
(c) To what extent is Parliament soverign?

Judiciary:

A = 5 MARKS
(a) What is the judiciary?
(a) Define the rule of law
(a) What are civil liberties?
(a) What is judicial neutrality?
(a) Outline 2 civil liberties
(a) What is judicial independence?

B = 10 MARKS
(b) Explain three ways by which judicial independence is maintained
(b) How is judicial neutrality maintained?
(b) How do judges protect civil liberties?
(b) In what ways can judges protect rights and civil liberties?
(b) What are the benefits of judicial independence?
(b) In what is the independence of judges limited?

C = 25 MARKS
(c) To what extent do judges constrain Parliament and the executive?
(c) To what extent do judges protect civil liberties?
(c) To what extent have judges exercised greater independence in recent years?
(c) In what ways are judges independent and neutral?
(c) To what extent are judges in the uk independent and neutral?