Question 1: What is a political party, and what is its main purpose in the UK political system?

Answer: A political party is an organized group of people who share similar ideas about how the country should be run. Its main purpose is to gain political power by winning elections and influencing government policies.

Question 2: Name three major political parties in the UK and briefly describe one main policy or belief associated with each.

Answer: The Conservative Party: focuses on free market policies and national sovereignty. The Labour Party: emphasizes social equality and public services. The Liberal Democrats: advocate for civil liberties and environmental sustainability.

Question 3: Explain how political parties influence decision-making in the UK Parliament.

Answer: Political parties influence decision-making by forming governments or opposition, debating policies, and voting on laws. The party with the most seats usually forms the government and implements its policies.

Question 4: Describe the difference between a major party and a minor party in the UK.

Answer: A major party has a large number of members, widespread support, and usually wins many seats in Parliament. A minor party has fewer supporters and wins fewer seats, but can influence politics through alliances or specific issues.

Question 5: Why do some people choose to support smaller or third parties instead of the larger ones?

Answer: People support smaller parties if they feel their views are not represented by the larger parties or if they want to support specific issues that are central to the minor party's policies.

Question 6: Draw a simple diagram showing the relationship between a political party, an election, and the formation of a government. Label each part clearly.

Answer: A correct diagram would show an arrow from 'Political Party' leading to 'Election,' then an arrow from 'Election' leading to 'Government Formation,' with labels for each stage.

Question 7: Sketch a poster for a political party campaign. Include a slogan and visual elements that represent the party’s core values.

Answer: A successful sketch would include a bold slogan, symbols or images representing the party's values (e.g., a tree for environmentalism), and clear, eye-catching design.

Question 8: What role do political parties play during election campaigns?

Answer: During campaigns, political parties promote their policies, persuade voters to support them, and try to gain as many votes as possible to win seats in Parliament.

Question 9: Identify and explain one way in which political parties can hold the government accountable.

Answer: Parties in opposition scrutinize the government's actions, question decisions, and provide alternative policies, which helps ensure the government remains accountable to the public.

Question 10: Explain why it is important for citizens to understand different political parties and their policies.

Answer: It is important because it helps citizens make informed choices when voting, ensures they support parties that reflect their views, and promotes a healthy, functioning democracy.