This drill at a glance
What this topic covers
What is in this drill
30 questions, drawn from the third part of Our Common Bond, Government and the law in Australia. 28 of the 30 carry a worked explanation; the other 2 are answered but not yet explained, and we would rather say so than pretend otherwise.
The pass mark on this drill is 23 of 30. Every question shows you the correct answer with the reason beneath it, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just costing you a mark.
For scale: the third part of the booklet accounts for 221 of the 595 questions in this bank, across 8 topics. That is worth knowing before you decide where your study time goes.
The four worked questions below are taken from the 30 questions on this topic, each with the correct answer and the reason Our Common Bond gives. They show how the questions are worded before you sit the drill, which asks every question on the topic.
Questions from this drill, worked
- 1
Are people in Australia free to join a political party of their choice?
Answer: Yes, they can join any political party they want. Joining (or not joining) a party is a free choice in Australia's democracy. Source: Our Common Bond Part 3, "What role do political parties play?", p30.
- 2
Which of the following is the key decision-making body of the Australian government?
Answer: The Cabinet. The Cabinet (senior ministers) makes the government's key decisions. Source: Our Common Bond Part 3, "How is the Australian Government formed?", p30.
- 3
How do state and territory parliaments make their laws?
Answer: They follow the same process as the Australian Government. State/territory law-making mirrors the federal process (debate, vote, assent). Source: Our Common Bond Part 3, "How are laws made?", p30.
- 4
What is a proposal to introduce a new law or change an existing one in the Australian Parliament called?
Answer: A Bill. Before it becomes law, a proposed law is called a Bill; once signed, it is an Act (law). Source: Our Common Bond Part 3, "How are laws made?", p30.
Where people lose marks
How to use this page
Work through the drill once without studying first. The questions you miss tell you what to read in the booklet, which is faster than reading the whole part again.
Then come back and sit it a second time. When you are clearing the pass mark comfortably on this topic, pick the next one from practice test questions and keep full test for last, so the timed sitting is the final rehearsal rather than the first.
Everything here is free, with no account and no card, and you can sit it as many times as you like.
Where this comes from
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many questions are in this drill?
- All 30 of them. That is every question in the bank on this topic, not a sample. You need 23 correct to clear the drill, and you can sit it as many times as you like.
- What catches people out on this topic?
- Forming government is about numbers in the lower house, not about who received the most votes overall.