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Year 11

What are the key differences between the Westminster Parliament and US Congress?

I can explain the key differences between the UK Parliament and US Congress.

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Year 11

What are the key differences between the Westminster Parliament and US Congress?

I can explain the key differences between the UK Parliament and US Congress.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The UK Parliament overlaps the executive and legislative branches, the US separates them.
  2. The Prime Minister is part of the UK Parliament, the US President is independent.
  3. UK laws are passed by the UK Parliament, whereas laws in the US need presidential approval.

Keywords

  • Bicameral - means two chambers; in a bicameral parliament there are two separate groups that must both agree on changes to laws; UK Parliament is bicameral as it has two chambers: the House of Commons and Lords

  • Legislative - the law-making body of the state, i.e. Parliament in the UK

  • Executive - the branch of government that is responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect

Common misconception

Laws are made the same way in both the UK and the US.

The process of creating laws is different. The UK has a parliamentary system whereas the US follows a presidential system.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What are the key differences between the Westminster Parliament and US Congress?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use current affairs or real life examples of Bills being passed to demonstrate how each country's systems differ.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these types of government most closely describes the system used in North Korea?
constitutional monarchy
Correct answer: authoritarian regime
parliamentary democracy
Q2.
What does it mean for a country to be a 'one-party state'?
Correct answer: Only one political party is allowed to govern.
Citizens vote for candidates from a single party.
There is no formal political party system.
Many parties are allowed but one is dominant.
Q3.
In some countries, the Government uses to control public opinion and ensure the leadership remains unchallenged.
Correct Answer: propaganda
Q4.
Which country is an example of an absolute monarchy?
United Kingdom
Australia
Correct answer: Saudi Arabia
Germany
Q5.
Which of these factors contributes to making Iran an authoritarian regime?
Political parties in Iran can freely compete in elections.
The Government follows the rule of law.
Citizens have complete freedom to express their opinions.
Correct answer: The Ayatollah controls the Government, military and judiciary.
Q6.
Within which category of the Democracy Index is the USA located?
full democracy
Correct answer: flawed democracy
hybrid regime
authoritarian regime

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:legislative,the branch of government responsible for making and passing laws
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the branch of government responsible for making and passing laws

Correct Answer:bicameral,a system of government involving two separate chambers
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a system of government involving two separate chambers

Correct Answer:executive,the branch of government responsible for putting laws into effect
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the branch of government responsible for putting laws into effect

Correct Answer:judiciary,the branch of government that interprets and fairly applies laws
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the branch of government that interprets and fairly applies laws

Q2.
Which of these statements accurately describes the Prime Minister's work?
The Prime Minister does not interact with Parliament.
Correct answer: The Prime Minister is part of Parliament and the executive branch.
The Prime Minister’s role is only ceremonial.
The Prime Minister sits in the House of Lords.
Q3.
If the does not want a bill to become law, he or she has the power to reject or veto the bill.
Correct Answer: President
Q4.
Which of these descriptions about the US political system is accurate?
The President is part of Congress.
Laws in the US can only be passed by the Supreme Court.
The President appoints members of the House of Representatives.
Correct answer: Both chambers feature elected representatives.
Q5.
How is the Supreme Court in the US different to the Supreme Court in the UK?
The UK Supreme Court is elected by the people.
The US Supreme Court is part of the executive branch.
The UK Supreme Court is responsible for creating new laws.
Correct answer: The US Supreme Court can overturn laws passed by Congress.
Q6.
In the US system, Congress consists of the and the House of Representatives.
Correct Answer: Senate