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Citizenship Rights Comparison

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Citizenship Rights Comparison

Compare how citizenship rights and responsibilities work in Canada and New Zealand. Read the two fictional profiles and use their details as evidence. These profiles are simplified examples, not complete descriptions of either country’s laws. Word bank: Right, Responsibility, Evidence, Freedom, Law.

Two citizens, two settings

Benjamin is a Canadian citizen who is 17 and lives in Ottawa. She can express opinions, practise a religion, and join a peaceful demonstration. She cannot vote in a federal election yet; the voting age is 18. At 18, she may vote if she meets the election rules. She must obey the law and may be called for jury duty when eligible. Aria is a New Zealand citizen who is 18 and lives in Wellington. She can express opinions, practise a religion, and join a peaceful demonstration. New Zealand citizens may enrol to vote from age 17, but must be 18 to vote in a general election. Aria must follow the law and can take part in jury service if eligible. In both countries, rights are protected by laws and democratic institutions, but rights have limits and must be exercised consistently with the law and the rights of others. People also have responsibilities, such as respecting the rights of others and following the law.

Compare and analyse

Use the profiles above to answer each question. When asked for evidence, quote or accurately paraphrase a detail from the profiles.

1.Which right can both Benjamin and Aria exercise, according to the profiles?

Vote in every election, regardless of age.
Express opinions and practise a religion.
Ignore laws they disagree with.
Serve on a jury at any age.

2.At age 17, what is one important difference in the voting process described for Benjamin and Aria?

3.True or false: Aria can vote in a New Zealand general election at age 17 because she may enrol at that age.

TrueFalse

4.Name one responsibility shared by citizens in both profiles, and explain how it supports a community.

5.Match each example to the best term: (a) a protected freedom to express an opinion; (b) an expected action such as obeying the law; (c) a detail from a profile used to support a claim. Choose from the word bank.

(a) Protected freedom
(b) Expected action
(c) Supporting detail

6.Complete the statement: Freedoms must be exercised consistently with the law and the rights of .

7.Benjamin says, “Because I have freedom of expression, I can say anything without consequences.” Use one detail from the profiles to explain why this claim is incomplete.

8.Identify one similarity and one difference between the two profiles. Support each with a detail from the text.

9.Why should a reader be cautious about treating these two profiles as a complete comparison of citizenship in Canada and New Zealand? Give one reason.

10.Write a supported conclusion: Are citizenship rights and responsibilities identical in the two profiles? State your view and use at least two details as evidence.