7th Standard, Social, Civics Chapter 9
INTRODUCTION TO LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL TERMINOLOGIES
EXERCISES
Answer in one sentence:
1 What is the root word of Legislature?
Answer: The root word of “legislature” is the Latin word “lex”, which means “law”. The word also incorporates the Latin suffix “-lator”, meaning “proposer”. Therefore, “legislature” refers to the body of people who propose and create laws.
2 What is Legislature?
Answer: Legislature is called the ‘mirror of public opinion’ as it is a platform where representatives of the people of a nation come together to express their opinion.
3 What is Unicameral Legislature?
Answer: A Legislature which has only one house is Unicameral Legislature.
4 What is Bicameral Legislature?
Answer: A Legislature having two houses is Bicameral Legislature.
Additional Questions and Answers.
- What is the meaning of the word ‘Parliament’?
Answer: The word Parliament is derived from French word ‘Parler’ and Latin word ‘Parliamentum’. Which means to talk or discuss.
- What are importance of Legislature?
Answer: The importance of Legislature can be realised from the following points:
1. Law making:
The Legislature constitutionally has the supreme power to enact laws necessary for the state.
2. Formation of the government:
The party that wins in the general elections forms the government, proving its majority in the Legislative assembly.
3. Amendment of the Constitution:
Legislature takes steps like amending articles of the constitution, makeing new statutes, inserting new articles etc.
4. Solutions to Public Grievances (Issues):
Legislature is a major platform to openly discuss the grievances of the citizens. Members of the Legislature draw the attention of the House by raising public issues.
5. Mirror of National Life:
The Legislature reflects the overall development of the nation by forming new policies and rules necessary to fulfil the aspirations of the people.
- What are the two types of Legislature?
Answer: The Legislature is classified into two types. Namely
I. Unicameral Legislature
II. Bicameral Legislature
- Describe Unicameral Legislature.
Answer: A Legislature which has only one house is Unicameral Legislature. The interest of the people can be expressed only in this Unicameral Legislature.
Unicameral Legislature avoids unnecessary repetition of debates. It protects the interest of the country by being economical. The countries which have Unicameral Legislature are Greece, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Yugoslavia, Portugal, New Zealand etc.
- Describe Bicameral Legislature.
Answer: A Legislature having two houses is Bicameral Legislature. The interest of the people are discussed in both the houses and the laws are made.
Bicameral Legislature came into being in England through a historical accident. Today, most of the countries of the world, have adopted this method. For example the Indian Legislature ‘Parliament’ is a Bicameral Legislature. Its lower house is called ‘Lok Sabha’ and ‘Upper House’ is called ‘Rajya Sabha’.
- What are the powers and functions of Legislature?
Answer: There will be lot of debates and discussions on many issues and bills in the houses, on the opinions of the people. Executive is the external form of the government whereas Legislature is its internal form. The Legislature has the widespread powers.
Activities:
1 Organize a Mock Parliament in school.
2 Organize Mock Parliament in school sessions and discuss the matters in there assembly .
3 Inform the students to watch legislative assembly sessions telecasted in the television.
