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Unit 1.3 | Basic Government Terms

Total questions: 27

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
A ____________ is a system by which countries make laws to provide services, organize people, and maintain order.
a)
government
b)
parliamentary
c)
presidential
d)
autocratic
2.

A(n) ____________ is a system of government in which people elect representatives to serve them in government. They also have written rights and freedoms.

a)

Democracy

b)

Coalition

c)

Monarchy

d)

Autocracy

3.

A(n) _______________ is a government in which citizens have no voting power. Instead one ruler, king, queen, or dictator makes all the decisions.

a)

Autocracy

b)

Parliamentary Democracy

c)

Presidential Democracy

d)

Oligarchic Monarchy

4.

A ruler or representative that has gained power through hereditary (family) line. Typically has little power today.

a)

President

b)

Prime Minister

c)

Monarch

d)

Chancellor

5.

The top official in the executive branch of a democracy. Such as a president, prime minister, or chancellor.

a)

Chief Executive

b)

Governor General

c)

Head of State

d)

Monarch

6.

Groups of politicians that share the same beliefs or ideals as to how government should be run. They often have large impact on how citizens vote in elections.

a)

Political Parties

b)

Prime Ministers

c)

Chief Executives

d)

Monarchs

7.

To be voted in by citizens to serve in government.

a)

Voting

b)

Appointed

c)

Democracy

d)

Elected

8.

To be chosen by another government official to serve some sort of role.

a)

Compulsory Voting

b)

Autocracy

c)

Appointed

d)

Elected

9.

A country in which one political party has complete control of the government.

a)

One-party state

b)

Democracy

c)

Monarchy

d)

Parliamentary Democracy

10.

Which type of democracy do the following traits describe?


  • The citizens only vote for representatives from the legislature known as Parliament.
  • The majority political party Members of Parliament appoint the executive leader, typically known as the Prime Minister.
  • The Prime Minister serves only as long as the Members of Parliament have faith in their leadership.
a)

Parliamentary democracy

b)

Presidential democracy

c)

Autocracy

d)

Religious monarchy

11.

Which type of democracy do the following traits describe?


  • Citizens elect leaders to the legislature and executive branches.
  • Branches share power through a system of checks and balances.
  • Leader is often known as a president and serves a set term in office.
a)

Presidential democracy

b)

Parliamentary democracy

c)

Autocratic democracy

d)

Theocratic democracy

12.

The title for the chief executive from the United Kingdom.

a)

emperor

b)

chancellor

c)

prime minister

d)

president

13.

The title for the chief executive from Germany.

a)

emperor

b)

chancellor

c)

prime minister

d)

president

14.

The title for the chief executive from the United States.

a)

emperor

b)

chancellor

c)

prime minister

d)

president

15.

A branch of democracy headed by the chief executive such as a president, prime minister, or chancellor who is responsible for passing laws and leading the country.

a)

autocratic branch

b)

judicial branch

c)

legislative branch

d)

executive branch

16.

A branch of democracy such as Congress or Parliament in which hundreds of elected representatives pass laws, debate issues, and represent the needs of people from their districts.

a)

legislative branch

b)

judicial branch

c)

executive branch

d)

dictator branch

17.

A branch of democracy made up of judges and justices appointed by the other branches whose job it is to interpret laws, make sure laws are upheld, and settle disputes.

a)

military branch

b)

judicial branch

c)

legislative branch

d)

executive branch

18.

The legislature of the United Kingdom and Germany that holds a lot of power over the executive and judicial branches.

a)

Judicial

b)

Parliament

c)

Congress

d)

State Duma

19.

The name for the elected representatives that serve on the Parliament in Germany and the United Kingdom.

a)

Prime Ministers

b)

Members of Parliament

c)

Statesmen

d)

Congressmen

20.

A type of democracy in which a monarch such as a king or queen, serves a traditional or ceremonial role, but their powers are limited by laws in a written constitution. Found in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

a)

traditional democracy

b)

presidential democracy

c)

parliamentary democracy

d)

constitutional monarchy

21.

Critical Thinking (Portfolio #2, Section 1) | What is the main characteristic of an autocratic government?

a)

All major government decisions come down to one leader. Rights and freedoms are few.

b)

Basic rights and freedoms protected under the law such as free speech, press, and assembly.

c)

Frequent elections and a peaceful transfer of power between candidates.

d)

Power to the people through voting in elections with multiple political parties on the ballot.

22.

Critical Thinking (Portfolio #2, Section 3) | What do the terms below all have in common?

~President

~Chancellor

~Prime Minister

a)

They all serves as judges or justices in different countries.

b)

They are all titles for the chief executive in different countries.

c)

They all head the legislative branch in different countries.

d)

They all gain power through their hereditary or family line.

23.

Critical Thinking (Portfolio #2, Section 4) | Which of the following best describes the basic functions of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches?

a)

The executive branch is comprised of an appointed or elected chief executive who enforces laws, makes important decisions, and represents the country on the international stage.

The legislative branch is made up of hundreds of elected representatives that make laws, debate important issues, and represent the interests of the people throughout the country.

The judicial branch interprets and applies laws and is comprised of a few appointed judges or justices.

b)

The legislative branch is comprised of an appointed or elected chief executive who enforces laws, makes important decisions, and represents the country on the international stage.

The judicial branch is made up of hundreds of elected representatives that make laws, debate important issues, and represent the interests of the people throughout the country.

The executive branch interprets and applies laws and is comprised of a few appointed judges or justices.

c)

The judicial branch is comprised of an appointed or elected chief executive who enforces laws, makes important decisions, and represents the country on the international stage.

The executive branch is made up of hundreds of elected representatives that make laws, debate important issues, and represent the interests of the people throughout the country.

The legislative branch interprets and applies laws and is comprised of a few appointed judges or justices.

24.

Critical Thinking (Portfolio #2, Section 5) What is the difference between appointing and electing a government official?

a)

Appointing is done by an already elected government official without a public vote, while electing involves public voting.

b)

Appointing requires a public vote, while electing does not because an autocratic dictator chooses government officials.

c)

Both appointing and electing are done through public voting during set terms.

d)

Appointing is a process that involves multiple candidates, Whereas there is only one choice in voting.

25.

Critical Thinking (Portfolio #2, Section 6) | Which of the following statements is true about political parties in democratic governments?

a)
Political parties hinder the progress of democratic governments.
b)

Political parties are only necessary in autocratic governments.

c)
Political parties have no impact on voter participation.
d)

Political parties compete for the votes of citizens in democratic governments.

26.

Critical Thinking (Portfolio #2, Sections 7-8)

Examine the attached chart.

According to the chart, what is the primary difference between presidential and parliamentary democracies?

a)

In a presidential democracy, voters elect members of the legislative branch and the chief executive.

In a parliamentary democracy, voters only elect members of the legislature. The legislature then appoints a chief executive.

b)

In a presidential democracy, voters only elect members of the legislature. The legislature then appoints a chief executive.

In a parliamentary democracy, voters elect members of the legislative branch and the chief executive.

c)

In a presidential democracy, an autocratic dictator chooses government officials.

In a parliamentary democracy, the monarch such as a king or queen chooses government officials.

27.

Critical Thinking (Portfolio #2, Section 9) What is the primary role of monarchs in a constitutional democracy such as the on in the United Kingdom?

a)
Monarchs are responsible for managing the economy directly.
b)
The primary role of monarchs is ceremonial and symbolic, representing the state and its traditions.
c)
Monarchs are the head of the government and make executive decisions.
d)
Monarchs have the power to create laws independently.