This set has seven original questions on the Federal Constitution. Attempt each one in writing before you open the answer.
Extract for Questions 6 and 7
The extract is a paraphrase of Article 152(1) of the Federal Constitution 1: “The national language is Malay. Everyone remains free to teach, learn or use any other language, except for official purposes.”
Questions
Question 1. Give one reason a constitution is needed, using “so that”.
Answer
A model answer: “A constitution limits the power of government so that no office can act beyond what the law allows.” Any of the three reasons (framework, limits, rights) is acceptable if the consequence is explained.
Question 2. Explain one feature of the Federal Constitution in three sentences.
Answer
A model answer: “One feature is that the Constitution is the supreme law (Article 4). Other laws must follow it, and a law that conflicts with it can be challenged. This matters because even the government must act within the law.” 2 Confirm your chosen feature with your textbook.
Question 3. Sort: “The Constitution is the fairest document ever written.”
Answer
Interpretation. “Fairest” is a judgement, and the sentence offers no evidence. A fact version would state a specific provision.
Question 4. Turn this into a fact plus a marked interpretation: “The Constitution guarantees that everyone is treated well.”
Answer
“Articles 5 to 13 of the Constitution set out fundamental liberties, which suggests an aim of protecting fair treatment.” 2 The first half is a fact, and “suggests” marks the interpretation.
Question 5. Why is “the Constitution is long” a weak answer to a question on its importance?
Answer
It describes the size and says nothing about what the Constitution does. A stronger answer states a function, such as setting limits on power, and explains why that matters.
Question 6. From the extract, state the subject, provision and limit.
Answer
Subject: the national language. Provision: Malay is the national language. Limit: other languages may be taught, learned or used, except for official purposes.
Question 7. Explain what freedom the extract gives to people who want to use other languages.
Answer
The freedom is to teach, learn or use other languages, so Malay being the national language does not stop people using their own language in daily life. The exception is official purposes. The extract does not name any particular language or school, so the answer should not claim it.
If you got these wrong
Question 1 links to explaining why a constitution is needed. Questions 2 and 5 link to identifying key features in curriculum context.
Questions 3 and 4 link to distinguishing constitutional facts from interpretations. Questions 6 and 7 link to reading a short constitutional extract accurately.
Plan timed rounds with the timed original practice session builder. For a teacher to check your answers, see online one-to-one Sejarah tuition.