parliament

Everyday

1. A parliament is a group of people elected to make the laws of a country. tree →
2. Parliament is the building where they meet. tree →
3. A parliament of owls is a name for a group of owls. tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship and history lessons pupils learn that the UK, Canada, Australia, NZ and Ireland have parliaments (in Ireland the Oireachtas, with the Dáil; the USA has Congress instead). Schools may have a school parliament or council. Phrases: Member of Parliament (MP), Houses of Parliament, act of parliament.

Examples

• Parliament makes the laws of the country. tree →
• Our class visited Parliament in Canberra. tree →
• The new law passed through Parliament. tree →
• She wants to be a Member of Parliament. tree →
• Our school parliament voted for a new playground. tree →
• A parliament of owls sat in the barn. tree →
• The Houses of Parliament are next to Big Ben. tree →
• Each area elects people to parliament. tree →
• He speaks in the Parliament, not for the benefit of the country, but only for himself. tree →

Note

Capital P when it means one country's parliament. Spelling trap: the "ia" is silent-ish: par-li-a-ment, said PAR-luh-ment. Adjective: parliamentary. MP = Member of Parliament.