Forms and Systems of Government

How does monarchy differ from other forms of government?

• leaders are given power by kings

• leaders are born into ruling families

• leaders are named in the constitution

• leaders are chosen by the upper class

2The scenario below describes two forms of government.

The people of England elect representatives to sit in Parliament, a lawmaking body. The Queen of England heads the country, but she only has a small role in government. The government is led by a Prime Minister, who is appointed from among the elected representatives.

Based on the scenario, which two forms of government exist in England?

• oligarchy and monarchy

• anarchy and dictatorship

• democracy and theocracy

• democracy and monarchy

The table describes a type of government.

Which title best completes the table?

• parliamentary government

• confederal government

• federal government

• unitary government

The scenario below describes the government of an imaginary country.

In country X power is shared between the central government and the governments of all 10 of the country's states.

Based on the description, country X has which system of government?

• federal

• unitary

• confederal

• parliamentary

What do a republic and a direct democracy have in common?

• rule by a single political party

• a small group of leaders

• rule by the people

• a single leader

Where is power concentrated in a unitary system of government?

• central government

• state government

• dictator

• military

The chart illustrates two systems of government.

Government 1

weak central government

loose association

organized for limited purposes

Government 2

strong central government

different levels of power

specific purposes for each level

Based on the chart, which two systems of government are described?

• Government 1 — federal

  Government 2 — confederal

• Government 1 — confederal

  Government 2 — federal

• Government 1 — federal

  Government 2 — parliamentary

• Government 1 — parliamentary

  Government 2 — confederal

The statements below describe a system of government.

• Members of the executive branch are chosen by the legislative branch.

• The head of government typically holds the title of prime minister.

• Examples of countries with this type of government include Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Based on the description, which system of government is described?

• autocratic

• oligarchic

• confederal

• parliamentary

The statements below describe a historical event from United States history.

Prior to the Civil War, eleven states left the United States and formed a new country. The leaders of the new country believed that there should be some type of central government, but they also believed the central government should not have as much power as the state governments.

Based on the description, which system of government did the new country select?

• unitary

• federal

• confederal

• parliamentary

The scenario below describes a government decision.

A self-appointed council amends the country’s constitution.

Based on the scenario, which form of government would most likely make take this type of action?

• autocracy

• monarchy

• oligarchy

• republic