Sources of International Law: A Comprehensive Guide for Graduate Students

Question 1

Which of the following sources of international law is considered the most authoritative?

Accepted Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary international law

Answer

General principles of law recognized by civilized nations

Answer

Judicial decisions of international tribunals

Question 2

Which of the following is **not** a requirement for a treaty to be considered valid?

Accepted Answer

It must be registered with the United Nations.

Answer

It must be in writing.

Answer

It must be signed by the heads of state or government.

Answer

It must be ratified by the national legislatures of the parties.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key characteristic of customary international law?

Accepted Answer

It is based on the consistent practice of states.

Answer

It is binding on all states, regardless of whether they have consented to it.

Answer

It can be changed by a single state's declaration.

Answer

It is always written down.

Question 4

What is the primary function of the International Court of Justice?

Accepted Answer

To settle disputes between states.

Answer

To interpret international treaties.

Answer

To develop new rules of international law.

Answer

To enforce international law.

Question 5

Which of the following is **not** a benefit of international law?

Accepted Answer

It guarantees economic growth.

Answer

It promotes cooperation between states.

Answer

It helps to maintain peace and security.

Answer

It protects human rights.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary source of international law?

Accepted Answer

General Assembly resolutions

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary international law

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a primary source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Scholarly writings

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary international law

Answer

General principles of law recognized by civilized nations

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a recognized source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Domestic legislation

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary law

Answer

General principles of law

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a recognized source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Domestic law

Answer

Customary law

Answer

General principles of law

Answer

Treaties

Question 10

Which source of international law is considered the most significant and authoritative?

Accepted Answer

Treaties

Answer

General principles of law

Answer

Customary law

Question 11

What is the primary distinction between treaty law and customary international law?

Accepted Answer

Treaties are created through the explicit consent of states, while customary law arises from consistent state practice and opinio juris.

Answer

Treaties are written, while customary law is unwritten.

Answer

Treaties are only binding on parties to the agreement, while customary law is universally binding.

Question 12

What is the main function of general principles of law in international law?

Accepted Answer

To supplement and complement other sources of international law, addressing gaps and providing guidance for legal reasoning.

Answer

To override and replace existing international law norms.

Answer

To provide the exclusive basis for resolving international disputes.

Question 13

How do judicial decisions contribute to the development of international law?

Accepted Answer

They provide authoritative interpretations of existing international law and can help establish new legal principles.

Answer

They are only binding on the parties to the specific dispute being adjudicated.

Answer

They are the primary source of international law, superior to all other sources.

Question 14

Which of the following is a key factor in the formation of customary international law?

Accepted Answer

Widespread and consistent state practice accompanied by a sense of legal obligation (opinio juris).

Answer

A formal declaration by an international organization, such as the United Nations.

Answer

A single act by a powerful state, regardless of its acceptance by others.

Question 15

What is the significance of the doctrine of opinio juris in international law?

Accepted Answer

It establishes that a state's practice is not considered customary law unless it is accompanied by the belief that it is legally binding.

Answer

It is the sole determinant of whether a particular practice is customary law.

Answer

It allows states to opt out of customary law obligations that they do not agree with.

Question 16

How can a state formally express its consent to be bound by a treaty?

Accepted Answer

Through signature and ratification, which involves approval by the relevant constitutional bodies.

Answer

By merely signing the treaty without completing the ratification process.

Answer

By implementing the provisions of the treaty into its domestic law.

Question 17

What is the main distinction between a bilateral treaty and a multilateral treaty?

Accepted Answer

A bilateral treaty involves two states, while a multilateral treaty involves three or more states.

Answer

Bilateral treaties are generally more binding than multilateral treaties.

Question 18

Which of the following is considered a formal source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Treaties

Answer

Scholarly writings

Answer

Domestic laws of individual countries

Answer

International agreements that have not been ratified

Question 19

Customary law in international law refers to:

Accepted Answer

Established practices that have become accepted as law over time

Answer

Treaties that have been ratified by all countries

Answer

Decisions made by international courts

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a type of judicial decision that can be a source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Decisions made by municipal (domestic) courts

Answer

Decisions made by the International Court of Justice

Answer

Decisions made by international criminal tribunals

Answer

Arbitration awards

Question 21

Scholarly writings can influence international law by:

Accepted Answer

Providing persuasive arguments and interpretations that may shape legal thinking

Answer

Establishing new principles of customary law

Answer

Creating binding legal obligations

Answer

Overriding treaty provisions

Question 22

Which of the following is a characteristic of the hierarchy of sources in international law?

Accepted Answer

Treaties generally prevail over customary law in the event of a conflict between the two

Answer

General principles of law have the highest authority

Answer

Customary law always takes precedence over treaties

Answer

Judicial decisions bind all nations

Question 23

A reservation to a treaty is:

Accepted Answer

A unilateral statement by a state that excludes or modifies the application of certain treaty provisions for that state

Answer

A formal amendment to a treaty agreed upon by all parties

Answer

A dispute between two or more states over the interpretation of a treaty

Question 24

Which of the following is a benefit of codification in international law?

Accepted Answer

Clarification and consolidation of existing law, making it more accessible and certain

Answer

Elimination of customary law

Answer

Creation of completely new legal obligations

Question 25

The International Law Commission is responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Proposing the codification and progressive development of international law

Answer

Resolving disputes between states

Answer

Interpreting international treaties

Question 26

Which of the following is an example of progressive development of international law?

Accepted Answer

The creation of new rules to address emerging issues such as cyber warfare

Answer

Interpretation of a treaty by a court

Answer

Implementation of a treaty by a state

Answer

Codification of customary law on state responsibility

Question 27

The principle of pacta sunt servanda in international law means that:

Accepted Answer

Treaties must be observed and fulfilled in good faith by the parties to the treaty

Answer

States have the right to withdraw from treaties at any time without consequence

Answer

International agreements are not legally binding

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT considered a source of international law?

Accepted Answer

National legislation

Answer

Treaties

Answer

General principles of law

Answer

Customary law

Question 29

Which source of international law is created through the repeated practice of states over time?

Accepted Answer

Customary law

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Judicial decisions

Question 30

Which of the following is a requirement for a treaty to be binding under international law on the parties involved?

Accepted Answer

Ratification

Answer

Registration with the United Nations

Answer

Publication in an official journal

Answer

Acceptance by all member states of the UN

Question 31

Which source of international law relies on the reasoning and opinions of legal scholars?

Accepted Answer

Scholarly writings

Answer

Judicial decisions

Answer

General principles of law

Answer

Customary law

Question 32

Which of the following is a key characteristic of general principles of law as a source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Universally recognized

Answer

Derived from treaties

Answer

Enforced by international courts

Answer

State-specific

Question 33

Which international court is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations?

Accepted Answer

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Answer

European Court of Human Rights

Answer

International Criminal Court

Answer

Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Question 34

Which of the following is a primary benefit of using MCQs in assessments?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced objectivity in grading

Answer

Reduced time for assessment completion

Answer

Improved memorization of material

Answer

Increased student engagement

Question 35

Which of the following is an essential element of a well-crafted MCQ distractor?

Accepted Answer

Plausibility

Answer

Complexity

Answer

Length

Answer

Specificity

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a formal source of international law, as recognized by the International Court of Justice?

Accepted Answer

Scholarly writings

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary law

Question 37

A treaty is a binding agreement between:

Accepted Answer

States

Answer

International organizations

Answer

Non-governmental organizations

Answer

Individuals

Question 38

Customary international law is based on:

Accepted Answer

State practice and opinio juris

Answer

Treaties

Answer

United Nations resolutions

Answer

Judicial decisions

Question 39

Which of the following is a characteristic of general principles of law recognized by civilized nations, as identified by the Statute of the International Court of Justice?

Accepted Answer

They are recognized by most civilized legal systems

Answer

They are only binding on states that have consented to them

Answer

They are created by international organizations

Question 40

The principle of pacta sunt servanda means that:

Accepted Answer

Treaties must be fulfilled in good faith

Answer

Treaties are binding only on the parties to them

Answer

Treaties are not subject to domestic law

Answer

Treaties can be modified or terminated by mutual consent

Question 41

Which of the following is a common criticism of customary international law?

Accepted Answer

It can be difficult to prove the existence and content of a customary rule

Answer

It is too rigid and inflexible

Answer

It is only binding on states that have consented to it

Question 42

The principle of 'pacta sunt servanda' emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

The binding nature of treaties

Answer

The role of international organizations in treaty interpretation

Answer

The primacy of customary law over treaty law

Answer

The supremacy of international law over domestic law

Question 43

Which of the following best describes the formation of customary international law?

Accepted Answer

State practice followed as a legal obligation

Answer

Scholarly writings on international law

Answer

Decisions of international tribunals

Answer

Codification in international treaties

Question 44

When deciding cases, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) primarily refers to which sources of international law?

Accepted Answer

Treaties and customary international law

Answer

Domestic laws of the parties involved in the case

Answer

General principles of law and scholarly writings

Answer

Decisions of international tribunals and organizations

Question 45

Which of the following is a characteristic of general principles of law recognized by civilized nations?

Accepted Answer

They are derived from common legal systems

Answer

They are exclusively codified in international treaties

Answer

They are created by international organizations

Question 46

The principle of 'jus cogens' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Peremptory norms of international law that cannot be violated

Answer

The legal obligation to comply with international treaties

Answer

The right of states to make and enforce their own laws

Question 47

Which of the following is an example of a customary international law norm?

Accepted Answer

The prohibition of piracy

Answer

The signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change

Answer

The establishment of the International Criminal Court

Answer

The creation of the World Trade Organization

Question 48

In the context of international law, 'opinio juris' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The belief that a state practice is legally binding

Answer

The consent of a state to be bound by a treaty

Answer

The legal opinion of a court or tribunal

Question 49

How can a state withdraw from a treaty?

Accepted Answer

By following the withdrawal provisions of the treaty or through customary international law

Answer

By unilaterally declaring its withdrawal

Answer

By obtaining the consent of all other states party to the treaty

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a recognized source of international law?

Accepted Answer

Domestic legislation

Answer

Customary law

Answer

Treaties

Answer

General principles of law

Question 51

Which of the following is a characteristic of customary international law?

Accepted Answer

It arises from the consistent practice of states

Answer

It is codified in written form

Answer

It is only binding on states that have consented to it

Answer

It is created by international organizations

Question 52

Which of the following is a function of judicial decisions in international law?

Accepted Answer

To interpret and apply existing law

Answer

To resolve disputes between states

Answer

To create new law

Answer

To enforce international law

Question 53

Which of the following is a benefit of codifying international law?

Accepted Answer

Increased certainty and predictability

Answer

Reduced need for judicial interpretation

Answer

Elimination of all disputes

Answer

Reduced reliance on customary law

Question 54

Which of the following is a principle of treaty interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Pacta sunt servanda

Answer

Res inter alios acta

Answer

Ex injuria jus non oritur

Question 55

Which of the following is a criticism of the doctrine of stare decisis in international law?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to rigidity and a lack of adaptability

Answer

It reduces the workload of international courts

Answer

It ensures that all states are treated equally

Answer

It promotes consistency and predictability

Question 56

Which of the following is a way in which scholarly writings can contribute to the development of international law?

Accepted Answer

By providing evidence of state practice and opinio juris

Answer

By enforcing international law

Answer

By creating new legal rules

Question 57

Which of the following is a limitation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

Accepted Answer

It has no compulsory jurisdiction over all states

Answer

Its decisions are not binding on states

Answer

It is only able to hear disputes between states

Answer

It is only open to states

Question 58

Which of the following is a characteristic of a valid reservation to a treaty?

Accepted Answer

It must be compatible with the object and purpose of the treaty

Answer

It must be accepted by all other parties to the treaty

Answer

It must be made at the time of signature or ratification

Question 59

Which of the following is a difference between a treaty and a customary international law?

Accepted Answer

Treaties are binding only on the parties to them, while customary international law is binding on all states

Answer

Treaties are more specific than customary international law