Are elections truly fair?

In this lesson, we will explore the importance of elections to democracy. We will go on to investigate two different types of voting systems: First Past the Post and Proportional Representation.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is direct democracy?

A form of democracy where people join a political party.A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.A form of democracy in which people discuss social issues.

1/6

Q2.Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that elected representatives could not decide the will of the people the citizens should make those decisions directly.

TrueFalse

2/6

Q3.In Switzerland referendums are held at least:

Every five yearsFour times a yearOnce every 20 years

3/6

Q4.One advantage of direct democracy is:

It prevents a concentration of power as power is dispersed widely amongst the citizens.It leads to divisions within society.It can lead to voter apathy.

4/6

Q5.One disadvantage of direct democracy is:

It sometimes generates an emotional, rather than a rational, response from citizens.People may feel encouraged to learn more about politics.People may become more politically engaged.

5/6

Q6.Which landmark decision was decided by a UK wide referendum?

The new Prime Minister in 2019The suspension of Parliament in 2020The UK's exit from the European Union in 2016

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is direct democracy?

A form of democracy where people join a political party.A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.A form of democracy in which people discuss social issues.

1/6

Q2.Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that elected representatives could not decide the will of the people the citizens should make those decisions directly.

TrueFalse

2/6

Q3.In Switzerland referendums are held at least:

Every five yearsFour times a yearOnce every 20 years

3/6

Q4.One advantage of direct democracy is:

It prevents a concentration of power as power is dispersed widely amongst the citizens.It leads to divisions within society.It can lead to voter apathy.

4/6

Q5.One disadvantage of direct democracy is:

It sometimes generates an emotional, rather than a rational, response from citizens.People may feel encouraged to learn more about politics.People may become more politically engaged.

5/6

Q6.Which landmark decision was decided by a UK wide referendum?

The new Prime Minister in 2019The suspension of Parliament in 2020The UK's exit from the European Union in 2016

6/6

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

- Are elections truly fair?

Citizenship

Q1.What is the role of elections in a democracy?

Elections ensure that the will of the majority is made clear.Elections ensure that smaller parties are unsuccessful.Elections ensure that the views of the public are ignored.

1/6

Q2.The first past the post system is:

An electoral voting system used in UK general and local elections, where the candidate with the most votes wins.A system of voting where the share of votes equally represent the parliamentary seats gained.A voting system that provides voters with only one candidate to chose.

2/6

Q3.One advantage of using the first past the post system is:

It is simple to understand and can produce a clear winner.There are fewer wasted votes.It can allow smaller parties to succeed.

3/6

Q4.One disadvantage of the first past the post system is:

Can produce more coalition governments.Only winning votes count and so candidates may be elected on little public support.Results are calculated quickly and announced hours after voting.

4/6

Q5.Which statement accurately describes proportional representation (PR).

PR is a voting systems in which the share of seats a party wins matches the share of votes it receives.PR is a voting system in which the candidate with the most votes wins.PR is a voting system in which 50% of the seats are awarded to the most popular party.

5/6

Q6.Identify two advantages of a PR system.

Select two (2) boxes

MPs may have no links to a constituency.Fewer wasted votes.It provides more opportunity for smaller parties to succeed.May allow extremist parties into the political mainstream.

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

- Are elections truly fair?

Citizenship

Q1.What is the role of elections in a democracy?

Elections ensure that the will of the majority is made clear.Elections ensure that smaller parties are unsuccessful.Elections ensure that the views of the public are ignored.

1/6

Q2.The first past the post system is:

2/6

Q3.One advantage of using the first past the post system is:

It is simple to understand and can produce a clear winner.There are fewer wasted votes.It can allow smaller parties to succeed.

3/6

Q4.One disadvantage of the first past the post system is:

Can produce more coalition governments.Only winning votes count and so candidates may be elected on little public support.Results are calculated quickly and announced hours after voting.

4/6

Q5.Which statement accurately describes proportional representation (PR).

5/6

Q6.Identify two advantages of a PR system.

Select two (2) boxes

MPs may have no links to a constituency.Fewer wasted votes.It provides more opportunity for smaller parties to succeed.May allow extremist parties into the political mainstream.

6/6

Lesson summary: Are elections truly fair?

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What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system?
is:
Why is media freedom necessary in a democracy?

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Are elections truly fair?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Worksheet

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

- Are elections truly fair?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

- Are elections truly fair?

Lesson summary: Are elections truly fair?

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system? is: Why is media freedom necessary in a democracy?

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system?
is:
Why is media freedom necessary in a democracy?