GCSECitizenship StudiesAQAExam Questions3. Rights & Responsibilities3.3 Law: Development, Protection & Dealing with Criminals

Law: Development, Protection & Dealing with Criminals (AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8100

2 hours34 questions
1
1 mark

What is a ‘strike’?

  • Joining a trade union

  • Putting leaflets through people’s letter boxes to convince them of your cause

  • Refusing to buy certain goods

  • Refusing to work

Choose your answer

2
4 marks

Source D

Saudi Arabian workers’ rights

Employees are only allowed to organise ‘worker committees’ which include the the participation of the government and the employer. Union action, and public demonstrations are banned and those who attempt to strike are arrested.

The law also openly discriminates against women and in many cases women need permission from their ‘guardian’ in order to be employed. Women who do work earn 84% less than men in similar roles.

Compare the situation in Saudi Arabia referred to in Source D with how these groups are treated in the UK.

How did you do?

3
1 mark

Which of the following statements is correct?

  • Magna Carta ensured that the Church was not above the law.

  • Magna Carta ensured that the King had unlimited power.

  • Magna Carta ensured that the King was subject to the law.

  • Magna Carta ensured that the nobles had more power than the King.

Choose your answer

4
1 mark

Which of the following sentences has to be given to a person aged over 21 found guilty of murder?

  • 20 years in prison

  • A mandatory life sentence

  • Capital punishment

  • A maximum of 15 years imprisonment

Choose your answer

5
8 marks

Putting people in prison is the best way of dealing with those who commit crime as ‘prison works.’
Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

How did you do?

6
8 marks

“Magna Carta provides the basis for the values underpinning British Society.“

Considering a range of evidence, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

In your answer you should consider:

  • Aims of the Magna Carta

  • Principles and values that underpin British society

How did you do?

7
1 mark

Which of the following terms describes a criminal who continues to commit crime after their punishment?

  • Demonstrator

  • Reformer

  • Rehabilitator

  • Reoffender

Choose your answer

8
8 marks

‘Community sentences are less effective than prison when dealing with criminals.’

Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

How did you do?

9
1 mark

Which one of the following is a trade union?

  • Association of School and College Leaders

  • Confederation of British Industry

  • Institute of Directors

  • Local Government Association

Choose your answer

10
2 marks

Explain one way a trade union can influence government policy.

How did you do?

11
4 marks

Source E

Trade unions and employers’ associations

  • Employers’ associations represent businesses and the people who own the businesses.

  • Employers’ associations aim to defend the profitability of their members’ businesses.

  • Employers’ associations have historic links to the Conservative Party. These associations play no role in electing the leader of the Conservative Party.

  • Employers’ associations may lobby government. These associations try to achieve their aims through influence.

Describe two ways trade unions are different to employers’ associations.

You should refer to Source E in your answer.

How did you do?

12
1 mark

Source F

Types of Crime

A – Arson

B – Assault

C – Fraud

D – Theft

Which one of the crimes in Source F is criminal damage?

  • Arson

  • Assault

  • Fraud

  • Theft

Choose your answer

13
1 mark

Which one of the crimes in Source F is a violent crime?

  • Arson

  • Assault

  • Fraud

  • Theft

Choose your answer

14
2 marks

Identify two of the purposes of sentencing.

How did you do?

15
4 marks

Source G

Hate crimes

Reported hate crimes have risen by 9% to a record number of more than 124 000 across England and Wales. Many hate crimes go unreported by victims.

Other findings include:

  • racially motivated crimes, which are nearly three-quarters of the total number of hate crimes, increased

  • homophobic hate crimes increased.

The Police Federation has recently conducted a programme to train officers in understanding the nature of gender-based discrimination. At the same time, the government has reviewed sentencing for perpetrators which includes re-education.

The Department for Education has continued to fund the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ programme for schools across England.

Describe two ways in which hate crimes could be reduced in the UK.

You should refer to Source G in your answer.

How did you do?

16
1 mark

In which year was the Magna Carta signed?

  • 1066

  • 1215

  • 1926

  • 1998

Choose your answer

17
4 marks

Source E

Common law

In the UK, common law:

  • is based on the rulings made by judges and is therefore sometimes called ‘judge-made’ law

  • helps to interpret statute law that is either unclear or being used in a court case for the first time

  • can evolve over time as the result of these rulings.

With reference to Source E, describe two ways statute law (legislation) is different from common law in the UK.

How did you do?

18
4 marks

Source G

Crime rate in the UK

The crime rate in the UK varies between areas. Some areas may have:

  • more burglaries

  • a higher number of offences involving the possession of drugs

  • an occasional increase in driving offences

  • a higher number of alcohol related crimes at certain times of the year.

With reference to Source G, discuss why some areas have higher crime rates than others.

How did you do?

19
1 mark

Define the term ‘mitigating circumstances’ when used in a criminal case.

How did you do?

20
8 marks

‘The only purpose of sentencing criminals in the UK should be to send them to prison.’

Examine this statement.

How did you do?

21
1 mark

Which one of the following is a trade union?

  • Greenpeace

  • Ofsted

  • Plaid Cymru

  • Unison

Choose your answer

22
8 marks

‘The most effective way for a UK citizen to make a difference in society is to join a trade union.’

Considering a range of views, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

In your answer you should consider:

  • the role of trade unions in supporting and representing workers

  • how citizens can participate in the political and legal system

  • who holds political power.

How did you do?

23
1 mark

Source F

The history of trade unions

A – General Strike

B – Match Girls’ strike

C – Tolpuddle Martyrs’ trial

D – Winter of Discontent

Which one of the events in Source F took place in 1926?

  • General Strike

  • Match Girls’ strike

  • Tolpuddle Martyrs’ trial

  • Winter of Discontent

Choose your answer

24
1 mark

Which one of the events in Source F took place in 1979?

  • General Strike

  • Match Girls’ strike

  • Tolpuddle Martyrs’ trial

  • Winter of Discontent

Choose your answer

25
2 marks

Name two employers’ associations.

How did you do?

26
4 marks

Source G

Trade unions and employers’ associations

Trade unions support and represent those workers who join them. They aim to improve the pay and working conditions of their members.

Trade unions may organise strikes to achieve this aim by putting pressure on employers and the government.

Trade unions have historic links to the Labour Party. They play a role in electing the Labour Party’s leader.

With reference to Source G, describe two ways employers’ associations are different from trade unions.

How did you do?

27
1 mark

At what age can a person be put on trial in a Youth Court in England?

  • 16 and under

  • 17 and under

  • 18 and under

  • 21 and under

Choose your answer

28
8 marks

‘Criminals in the UK are young and male.’

Examine this statement.

How did you do?

29
1 mark

Identify the year in which the Human Rights Act was passed.

  • 1948

  • 1953

  • 1990

  • 1998

Choose your answer

30
1 mark

Which of the following can decide the verdict in a Youth Court?

  • Jury

  • Three Magistrates

  • Youth Justice Board

  • Youth Offending Team

Choose your answer

31
2 marks

Identify two citizens’ rights considered to have been established by the Magna Carta.

How did you do?

32
4 marks

Source E

Strategies to reduce knife crime

One strategy to reduce the rise in knife crime in London has been to set up the Violent Crime Taskforce. The taskforce will provide extra police officers to investigate knife crime.

Another strategy used has been community engagement work to encourage gang members to stop being involved with gangs.

As one former gang member said: "To fit in you had to do certain things. So I started carrying a knife when I was 12, because everyone did."

Describe how two strategies, not mentioned in Source E, could be used to reduce knife crime.

How did you do?

33
1 mark

Define the term ‘aggravating circumstances’ when used in a criminal case.

How did you do?

34
8 marks

‘UK law should be made by MPs, not by judges.’

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

In your answer you should consider:

  • the role and powers of the judiciary

  • the roles and powers of Parliament/MPs

  • the legislative process.

How did you do?