6-Mark Question: Checks on Parliament's Power (Cohort 1)

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Class Overview

Analysis of Class Performance

Overall Class Strengths

Most students were able to successfully engage with the source to identify at least one valid check on Parliament's power, most commonly judicial review or the role of select committees.
A few students demonstrated excellent exam technique, using the source as a scaffold before introducing well-explained, accurate own knowledge (e.g., the legislative process, PMQs).
The structure of most answers was logical, starting with a clear opening statement that addressed the question directly.

Overall Class Weaknesses

A significant number of students relied too heavily on the source, copying out large sections without providing their own explanation or development.
There were common misconceptions about key political concepts. Several students confused parliamentary sovereignty itself with a check on power, when it is in fact the power that needs checking.
Own knowledge, when used, was sometimes inaccurate. For example, several students wrongly attributed the role of judicial review to the House of Lords or the Monarch.

Next Steps for the Teacher

Run a "key term match-up" activity to solidify understanding of core concepts like Parliamentary Sovereignty, Judicial Review, The Legislature, and The Judiciary.
Practice "Source to Knowledge" drills: Give students a piece of source information and ask them to brainstorm and write down a linked point of own knowledge with a full explanation.
Deconstruct a new 6-mark question as a class, focusing on identifying the precise demands of the question before planning an answer.

Model Answer

6/6

Source A: The UK Constitution and Parliamentary Power

"...the high courts can use judicial review... to check whether it was made lawfully and fairly. Within Parliament itself, small groups of MPs from different parties form select committees. They act like 'watchdogs', scrutinising the work of government departments..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Examiner's Model Answer

One way Parliament's power is checked is through judicial review, where high courts check if a law was made 'lawfully and fairly.' This upholds the rule of law by ensuring the government is not above the law. It's conducted by the independent judiciary, which can declare government actions 'ultra vires' (beyond their legal power).

A second check is select committees, which the source calls 'watchdogs.' These cross-party groups of MPs investigate government departments, for example, questioning ministers and publishing critical reports. This holds the government accountable to Parliament and the public.

Finally, the UK's bicameral system provides a check, as the House of Lords revises and can delay legislation from the Commons. Its members, often experts, scrutinise bills in detail, preventing the government from passing laws without thorough consideration.

Candidate: 4279

3/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The Power of the UK parliment is kept in check due to checks and balances. These are used to prevent Power From becoming to dominant. For example things such as Judicial review which means if the high courts do not agree with a decision they can check whether it was made Lawfully and Fairly. This shows how Power of the uk parliment is kept in check as Laws can be changed by higher judges. Another reason for this is because of the law making system where Laws have to go through before they can be Passed. These are known as the first second third and fourth readings. For example the 2nd reading checks to make sure new laws are fair. This is important because it means Government cannot pass unfair laws.

Feedback

Strengths: You have correctly identified one check from the source (judicial review) and introduced a relevant point from your own knowledge (the legislative process).
Targets: Your explanation of the legislative process needs to be more precise (there is no 'fourth reading'). Ensure you fully explain *how* each stage checks power.
Next Step: To improve your knowledge of how laws are made, listen to 'Podcast 2.6: How are laws made?' on citizenshippodcasts.com.

Candidate: 4322

4/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The power of the UK parliament is kept in check through checks and balances. ... Futhermore, you can also use judical reviews. For example, Judicial reviews are when you held laws to account through the House of Lords. This means that MPs can constantly keep parliaments power in check as they can see if it lawful and fair. Lastly, you can also include that select commitees are also involved in keeping in check of parliaments powers. For example, select commitees are a group of MPs within parliament who can hold departments up for scrutinising; MPs can hold the department of education for account. This means that Government departments aren't really 'dictator' as they are constantly overwatched by select commites who act like 'watch dogs'.

Feedback

Strengths: You have made two clear points and your explanation of select committees is excellent, especially the use of a specific example (Department for Education).
Targets: Be careful with your political knowledge. Judicial review is conducted by senior judges in the High Court, not by the House of Lords.
Next Step: To ensure you are clear on the different roles of Parliament and the Courts, review the 'Theme B' Knowledge Organiser and listen to 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?'.

Candidate: 4263

4/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The parliment is kept in check in many different way. one, way is that high courts can use judicial review not to see if they agree with the decision but to check wether it was made lawfuly and fairly. This keep the partiment in check because the can't make unlawfuly laws because the will get shut down by high courts. Another way is that Within parliment a small groups of MD's from different parties are selected and the act like 'watchdogs' this will keep parliment because they have people watching to make sure everthing is bea going through the book. One more way you could say that deparments hold inquiries and publish reports with recomedation. This will keep parliment in check because the public will know about something dodgy so it will bring conflict.

Feedback

Strengths: Your use of the source is excellent. You have selected three distinct points from the text and used them to structure a very clear answer.
Targets: While your use of the source is strong, to get into the top mark band (5-6 marks) you must include some of your own knowledge that isn't in the passage.
Next Step: You have mastered using the source. Now, listen to 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' to learn extra details about select committees and judicial review that you can add to your answers.

Candidate: 4210

2/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

...Anouber way uk panliament is kept in check is that they can't just make laws out quickly. For example the high courts checks Judical review to see whether it was made lawsully and fairly this to see if any human rights act are broken.

Feedback

Strengths: You have correctly identified judicial review and made a good attempt to link it to your own knowledge about the Human Rights Act.
Targets: Your answer is very brief. You need to explain your points in more detail. For example, explain what the Human Rights Act is and *why* courts checking for breaches of it is a limit on Parliament's power.
Next Step: To develop your explanation, listen to 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' to understand judicial review in more detail.

Candidate: 4251

6/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The UK parliment is kept in check through important checks and balances... For example although parliment may be soverign, through judicial review high courts can inspect the law... to make sure the law was passed lawfully. This is because for a bill to pass the House of Commons it has to first be debated... factors such as the green paper, white paper, royal assent etc. These rules... mean the bill has to be passed on to the house of lords where the same process is followed... After all these steps the King must sign the bill to finally make it into a law. On top of this, in parliment Select committees are formed who act like 'watchdogs' by scrutinizing the work of government by holding inquiries and publishing reports. This means the parliment is not able to do whatever they feel like and are kept in place.

Feedback

Strengths: An outstanding answer. You have perfectly integrated points from the source with your own highly detailed and accurate knowledge of the legislative process. Your explanation is clear and comprehensive.
Targets: This is a model answer for a 6-mark question. To maintain this standard, continue to revise the specific details of different political processes.
Next Step: You have a strong grasp of this topic. Challenge yourself by looking at the 'Model Essays' section on the website to see how to expand these points into longer-form answers.

Candidate: 1252

2/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The power of the uk parliment is kept in check by many ways. For example Royal assent when a law is sent to the King to be checked before being approve. Secondly their is "Judicial review"... Futhurmore half of parliment is unelected... this help's as they can freely scrutinize members of parliment without fear of lossing their posisitions. You also have "small groups of Mps from different parties from select commitees. They act as 'watchdog's'" This is another thing that help's with checks and balance's.

Feedback

Strengths: You have correctly identified select committees from the source as a way Parliament's power is checked.
Targets: Much of your own knowledge is inaccurate. The Monarch does not check laws, and while the House of Lords is unelected, your explanation of how it checks power is unclear. Focus on learning the correct roles of each institution.
Next Step: It's crucial to get the basics right. Review the 'Theme B' Knowledge Organiser and listen to 'Podcast 2.6: How are laws made?' to understand the real stages of the legislative process.

Candidate: 14253

1/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

uk parliament is kept in chock through chocks and balances. this means that the partlament will be hold responsible for their action and will be hold to account if they do something wrong. One way this is done is by high courts using judicial review to see if they agree with a decision. This shows parlament will stay in check because they have hyher ranking political institutions that can help them make choices.

Feedback

Strengths: You have made a good start by identifying judicial review from the source.
Targets: You did not explain what judicial review is or how it works. Your answer also needs more than one point. You must use your own knowledge in addition to the source.
Next Step: Your first task is to learn how to explain your points fully. Listen to 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' to understand what judicial review is.

Candidate: 4122

3/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The power of the UK Parliment is kept in check as there is a core principle of the system (checks and balances) which will make sure the Parliment would not exceed their power. A clear example of this could be, when groups of MP's act like 'watch dogs' scrutinises the government departments by holding inquiries and publishing reports with recommendations which are practically impossible to ignore.

Feedback

Strengths: You have selected one point from the source (select committees) and explained it very clearly, adding your own comment that their reports are "impossible to ignore".
Targets: A 6-mark answer needs more than one point. You should have also explained the role of judicial review from the source, and then tried to add a point from your own knowledge.
Next Step: You explain things well, but you need more knowledge. Explore 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' on the website to build up your examples.

Candidate: 4304

0/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The UK constitution has a not written constitution so the constitution change over the year. is people dont like a law ie sovereignty they can get a judge to overrale law. This help people in society feel like the have power...

Feedback

Strengths: It is good that you attempted to answer the question.
Targets: Your answer does not address the question and contains no accurate or relevant information from the source or your own knowledge. You must read the question and the source provided much more carefully.
Next Step: It's important to build your foundational knowledge. Start with 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' on the website to understand the key ideas for this topic.

Candidate: 4229

0/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

UK parliament is made up of two Houses House of Common and House of Lords... UK parliment has power... is uncodified which means that laws can be changed easly. For parliment is the supreme legal authority in the UK. In theory it can get rid of laws whenever they want.

Feedback

Strengths: You have correctly identified some key features of the UK political system, like the two Houses of Parliament.
Targets: You have misunderstood the question. You have described *why* Parliament is powerful (sovereignty, uncodified constitution), but the question asks how that power is *limited* or *kept in check*. You must answer the specific question asked.
Next Step: Understanding the key terms is essential. Review the 'Theme B' Knowledge Organiser and listen to 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' to understand the difference between sovereignty and checks on power.

Candidate: 4131

1/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

Porliment has "sovereignty" which means it is a supreme legal authority in the united kingdom... Juditional review is also used to analyse certian sections. MPS help to contribute in decision making and give thur opinions this helps influence what goes on in parliment.

Feedback

Strengths: You have identified some key terms from the source, like 'sovereignty' and 'judicial review'.
Targets: You have not explained what these terms mean or how they answer the question. Your answer shows you do not yet understand the concept of checks and balances.
Next Step: Go back to basics. Listen to 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' on the website to build a stronger foundation of knowledge.

Candidate: 4238

5/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

Power in the UK Parliment is kept in check by many things... One of them is Parlimentary enquirie's (PMQs), which are meetings the prime minister must attend live thursday, during this meeting mp's are allows to scrutinise and question the prime ministers work's. Another was checks and balances are ensured by Judicial reviews. These are descisions made by Judges in the high court to ensure laws were made lawfully and sairly, not to see if they agreed with them. This ensures laws are not made out of spite and are considered.

Feedback

Strengths: A very good answer. You have successfully combined a well-explained point from your own knowledge (PMQs) with a well-explained point from the source (Judicial Reviews).
Targets: Your explanation of PMQs is slightly inaccurate - they happen on Wednesdays, not Thursdays. Paying attention to small details can make a good answer even better.
Next Step: You are working at a high level. To secure that top grade, fine-tune your knowledge by reviewing the 'Theme B' Knowledge Organiser, which covers the details of parliamentary scrutiny.

Candidate: 4193

1/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The Power of UK Parliament is kept in check as there are various and specific things which hold and make sure our parliament is fair. This includes stuff such as checks and balaces, due to the UK parliament being sovereign, meaning nothing is above it...

Feedback

Strengths: You have correctly stated that Parliament is sovereign and that checks and balances are used to control it.
Targets: Your answer is too vague. You do not give any specific examples of checks and balances. You must use the information given in the source and add your own specific examples.
Next Step: You need to learn the specific examples of checks on power. Review the 'Theme B' Knowledge Organiser on the website and memorise two or three of them.

Candidate: 4121

4/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The Uk Parliament is kept in check because of the boundaries that are set. For example judical review is one of the reasons why the parliament is kept in check as if a decision is made, instead of agreeing with it immediatly, the high courts can see if it was made lawfully and fairly. In conclusion this is very good... Another reason why the parliament is kept in check is because of 'watchdogs'. These people cause a good impact as they scrutinise the work of the goverment by holding inquries and publishing reports with recommendations.

Feedback

Strengths: Your use of the source is a model of good practice. You have identified the two main checks in the text and explained them clearly in your own words.
Targets: To achieve the highest marks, you need to add own knowledge. Your answer relies entirely on the information provided. What other checks do you know about that are not mentioned in the text?
Next Step: You've mastered using the source. Now it's time to build your own knowledge. Listen to 'Podcast 2.4: Into power' to learn about other checks, like the role of the Opposition.

Candidate: 4271

3/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

One way parliment's power is kept in check is Judicial review. For example the high courts can use judicial review to see is that law or policie was made fairly and correct. Another way is select committees. They do this by scrutinising the work done by each department by holding inquiries and making reports. One more way is through pressure groups. They may protest... But this may not be very essessive as parliment is sovereign. Another way is votes parties in.

Feedback

Strengths: You have correctly identified three different ways that Parliament's power is kept in check, drawing from both the source and your own knowledge.
Targets: You need to explain your points in much more detail. You list what the checks are, but you don't explain *how* they work. For example, how do pressure group protests actually lead to a change or a check on power?
Next Step: To improve your explanations, review the 'Theme B' Knowledge Organiser to find the details you need to explain your points more fully.

Candidate: 4315

1/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The power of the uk parliment is kept in check by having a parliamentary sovereignty, which means parliment is the supreme legal authority... And in theory it can create/get rid of any law it wants... To show how much power and knowledge there is... also checks to make sure nothing is out of balance. For example high courts can use judicial review not to see where they agree with a decision but to check whether it was made lawfully and fairly...

Feedback

Strengths: You have extracted some key phrases from the source, such as 'parliamentary sovereignty' and 'judicial review'.
Targets: You have fundamentally misunderstood the question. You have spent most of your answer describing *why* Parliament is powerful, not how its power is limited. You must focus on what the question is asking.
Next Step: It's vital to understand the question and the key terms. Listen to 'Podcast 2.8: How are we governed?' on the website for a clear explanation.

Candidate: 4203

2/6

Source A

"..."

Using the source, explain how the power of the UK Parliament is kept in check.

Student's Answer

The Power of the uk is kept in check because they have ways of making sure that things such as laws and rules are checked thouroughly before being presented to the public. Another reason is the uk has a supreme legal authority called Parliamentary Soverignty... this makes sure they don't get too much power by doing checks. The uk doesn't also only use judicial review to see if they like or agree with a law but to also check if it is fair... Finally, the uk is kept in check because they don't only protect the government but also the public by making lawful laws.

Feedback

Strengths: You have correctly identified judicial review as a check on Parliament's power.
Targets: Your answer is very confused. You incorrectly identify Parliamentary Sovereignty as a check. Much of your writing is repetitive and doesn't add new information or explanation.
Next Step: You need to build a clearer understanding of the key terms. Use the 'Theme B' Knowledge Organiser from the website to create flashcards for the main concepts like 'Sovereignty' and 'Judicial Review'.