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Part 2 of 4. Parliament. In this part you will learn 6 key words for the Canadian citizenship test. For each word, you will hear a simple meaning, an example and a memory tip. At the end there are three quick questions.

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Parliament

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The group that makes federal laws: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.

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For example: Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.

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Memory tip: Parliament has three parts, like three legs of a stool.

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House of Commons

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The part of Parliament where elected members sit.

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For example: Voters elect the members of the House of Commons.

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Memory tip: Commons sounds like common people. Voters elect it.

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Senate

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The part of Parliament where appointed senators sit.

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For example: Senators are appointed by the Governor General.

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Memory tip: Senators are appointed. They are not elected.

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Member of Parliament

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A person elected to speak for one area in the House of Commons.

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For example: Each M P speaks for one riding in the House of Commons.

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Memory tip: M P means Member of Parliament. Your M P speaks for you in Ottawa.

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Opposition

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The party that challenges the government.

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For example: The Official Opposition challenges the government and offers other ideas.

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Memory tip: The Opposition asks hard questions of the government.

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Royal Assent

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The last step that turns a bill into a law.

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For example: A bill must receive Royal Assent before it becomes a law.

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Memory tip: Assent means agree. Royal Assent is the last step for a bill.

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Quick review. Look at each word and say it out loud: Parliament, House of Commons, Senate, Member of Parliament, Opposition, Royal Assent.

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Time for a quick quiz. Three questions about the words in this part. After each question, you will have five seconds to think.

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Question 1. Which three parts make up Parliament? A. The Senate, the Supreme Court and the provinces. B. The Governor General, premiers and mayors. C. The Prime Minister, Cabinet and Supreme Court. D. The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.

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The answer is D. The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. Parliament is made up of the Crown, the appointed Senate and the elected House of Commons.

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Question 2. What is the role of the Official Opposition? A. To appoint judges. B. To challenge the government and offer alternatives. C. To write the budget. D. To choose the Prime Minister.

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The answer is B. To challenge the government and offer alternatives. The party with the second most seats holds the government to account.

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Question 3. What must a bill receive before becoming law? A. Royal Assent. B. Approval by a referendum. C. A decision of the Supreme Court. D. Approval by the premiers.

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The answer is A. Royal Assent. After passing both houses, the bill becomes law when given Royal Assent by the Governor General.

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That is the end of this part. Try the sample questions on our website, and say each word out loud in English. Good luck with your study.