UK A-Levels Politics Practice Exam

What is a petition?

1. A legal document for opposing government actions

2. A formal request signed by people to appeal to authority

3. A campaign tool used by political candidates

4. A type of referendum on electoral issues

The correct answer is: A formal request signed by people to appeal to authority

A petition is fundamentally understood as a formal request that is signed by a group of people to appeal to an authority, typically within the government. This process allows citizens to collectively express their opinions, seeks change, or advocate for specific actions, policy changes, or concerns that they believe warrant attention from decision-makers. Petitions are often used in democratic societies as a way for the public to influence political agendas and hold authorities accountable. The strength of a petition lies in its ability to mobilize public support and demonstrate that a significant number of people share a common concern or demand. When a petition reaches a certain threshold of signatures, it may compel the relevant authorities to consider the issue raised, leading to discussions or even legislative action. In contrast, the other options describe different concepts. A legal document for opposing government actions does not capture the collaborative and grassroots nature of a petition. A campaign tool used by political candidates refers to strategies employed during elections, which is distinct from the collective action of a petition. Lastly, a type of referendum on electoral issues points to a specific voting procedure for the electorate to decide on certain propositions, rather than a tool for citizens to voice their demands to authorities.