Exercises C1 : learn Political vocabulary in English (answers)

These exercises will help you consolidate the advanced political vocabulary introduced in the course, from constitutional frameworks to electoral processes. Challenge yourself to use the nuanced language that defines high-level political discourse.

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Exercice 1 — Political Vocabulary: Multiple Choice

Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence. Only one answer is correct.

1. After winning the election by a wide margin, the newly elected president claimed she had a clear ___ to implement her economic reforms.
2. The opposition argued that the proposed changes to voting procedures were a direct threat to ___ integrity.
3. The prime minister faced significant backbench rebellion when she attempted to push through ___ reform without a parliamentary vote.
4. The senator's speech was widely criticised for its ___ tone, as it deliberately inflamed divisions between political parties.

Correction

1. After winning the election by a wide margin, the newly elected president claimed she had a clear mandate to implement her economic reforms.
2. The opposition argued that the proposed changes to voting procedures were a direct threat to electoral integrity.
3. The prime minister faced significant backbench rebellion when she attempted to push through constitutional reform without a parliamentary vote.
4. The senator's speech was widely criticised for its divisive tone, as it deliberately inflamed divisions between political parties.

Exercice 2 — Political Vocabulary: Match the Term to Its Definition

Match each political term on the left with its correct definition on the right.

1. Gerrymander
2. Filibuster
3. Incumbent
4. Bicameral

Correction

1. To gerrymander means to manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favour a particular party or class.
2. To filibuster means to obstruct legislative action by making prolonged speeches or using other delaying tactics in a deliberative assembly.
3. An incumbent is the current holder of a political office, especially one who is running for re-election.
4. A bicameral system is a legislature divided into two separate chambers or houses, such as a senate and a house of representatives.

Exercice 3 — Political Vocabulary: Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the appropriate political term. Write the full sentence in your answer.

1. The ruling coalition struggled to maintain a working ___ in parliament after three of its members crossed the floor to join the opposition.
2. Analysts warned that the government's attempt to bypass judicial review could set a dangerous ___ for future administrations.
3. The treaty required ___ ratification, meaning both the Senate and the House of Representatives had to approve it before it could come into force.
4. Civil society groups called for greater ___ in the legislative process, arguing that citizens had a right to access government decision-making documents.

Correction

1. The ruling coalition struggled to maintain a working majority in parliament after three of its members crossed the floor to join the opposition.
2. Analysts warned that the government's attempt to bypass judicial review could set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
3. The treaty required bicameral ratification, meaning both the Senate and the House of Representatives had to approve it before it could come into force.
4. Civil society groups called for greater transparency in the legislative process, arguing that citizens had a right to access government decision-making documents.