List any four functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

(1) He PRESIDES over the sittings of the Lok Sabha, maintains order and decorum, and may reprimand or suspend a member who behaves with indignity or uses unparliamentary language. (2) He INTERPRETS the rules of procedure, and his decision on all points of order is final; he decides the admissibility of questions, motions and resolutions, and may disallow any of them. (3) He CERTIFIES whether a Bill is a Money Bill, and his certificate is final and cannot be questioned in any court; he presides over joint sittings of both Houses. (4) He does not vote in the first instance, but exercises a CASTING VOTE in the event of a tie; he adjourns the House for want of quorum, and he protects the privileges of the members.

Four marks, four functions, one mark each. Naming each function with a verb — presides, interprets, certifies, votes — keeps them distinct. The Money Bill certificate is the most important and is often omitted; it matters because it decides which procedure a Bill follows and cannot be challenged even in court. The casting vote is the detail that shows you understand a presiding officer’s neutrality — he votes only to break a tie.