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Parliament: Commons and Lords

Study note

The UK Parliament is made up of three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch. The Supreme Court is not part of Parliament; it is a separate court. Parliament is where laws are debated and made, and where the government is held to account.

The House of Commons is filled by Members of Parliament, known as MPs, who are elected by the public at a general election. Because the Commons is elected, it is the more important of the two Houses. The House of Lords is different: its members are called peers and are not elected by the public. Instead they are appointed, and they include life peers and some senior bishops of the Church of England. So the simple rule to remember is that Commons members (MPs) are elected, while Lords members are appointed and do not represent a constituency.

Memory tip: Commons = elected MPs; Lords = appointed peers and bishops (not elected).

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Question 1 of 8

How do people become members of the House of Commons?

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Show all questions and answers for Parliament: Commons and Lords(8 questions with explanations)

Parliament: Commons and Lords: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. How do people become members of the House of Commons?

    • They buy the seat
    • They are elected by the public
    • They inherit the seat
    • They are appointed by the monarch

    Correct answer: They are elected by the public

    Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons are elected by the public.

  2. 2. Members of the House of Lords are elected by the public.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: False

    False. Members of the House of Lords are appointed, not elected.

  3. 3. Which statement is correct?

    • Parliament is the same as the Supreme Court
    • Parliament is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch
    • Parliament has no elected members
    • Parliament is made up only of the Prime Minister

    Correct answer: Parliament is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch

    Parliament consists of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch.

  4. 4. What is the name given to elected members of the House of Commons?

    • Members of Parliament (MPs)
    • Peers
    • Magistrates
    • Lords

    Correct answer: Members of Parliament (MPs)

    Members of the House of Commons are called Members of Parliament (MPs).

  5. 5. Select the TWO Houses that make up Parliament alongside the monarch.

    • The Supreme Court
    • The House of Commons
    • The House of Lords
    • The Cabinet

    Correct answer: The House of Commons and The House of Lords

    Parliament is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch.

  6. 6. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Members of the House of Commons are elected by the public
    • Members of the House of Commons are appointed by the monarch

    Correct answer: Members of the House of Commons are elected by the public

    MPs in the House of Commons are elected by the public.

  7. 7. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Members of the House of Lords are not elected by the public
    • Members of the House of Lords are elected at every general election

    Correct answer: Members of the House of Lords are not elected by the public

    The Lords is not elected; its members are appointed peers and bishops.

  8. 8. Which of these is NOT a part of Parliament?

    • The House of Commons
    • The monarch
    • The House of Lords
    • The Supreme Court

    Correct answer: The Supreme Court

    Parliament is the Commons, the Lords and the monarch; the Supreme Court is separate.

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