One advantage of unwritten constitution is that it___________

1. Analyze the question The question asks for an advantage of an unwritten constitution. An unwritten constitution (like Britain's) is not contained in a single document. It is made up of customs, conventions, judicial decisions and some statutes.

2. Explain the concept Typical advantages of an unwritten constitution:

• Flexibility: it can adapt to changing circumstances without a formal amendment process.
• Easy to adjust in emergencies.
• It grows naturally out of the people's customs, traditions and practices.

Typical disadvantages:

• It is hard to know exactly what the rules are, since they are not in one document.
• It is difficult for ordinary citizens to understand.
• It is open to differing interpretations.

3. Evaluate the options

• A. Easy to understand by everybody: Wrong. Because it is scattered across customs and conventions, it is actually harder to understand.
• B. Safeguards the monarchy: Wrong. This is not a general feature of unwritten constitutions. Many monarchies have written constitutions.
• C. Contains customary laws and conventions: This describes what an unwritten constitution is made of. It reflects the people's traditions and practices, which is the feature the question treats as its strength.
• D. Is not easily amended: Wrong. This describes a rigid constitution, usually a written one. Unwritten constitutions are flexible and easy to change.

4. Answer Option C is the best fit. Strictly speaking, "flexibility" is the textbook advantage and it is not listed.

5. Exam tip Link the keywords:

• Unwritten = Flexible = customs and conventions
• Written = Rigid = hard to amend

If an option says "not easily amended", think written/rigid. If it mentions customs or conventions, think unwritten.