🏛️ Part 1: Understanding Government Systems

1. What do you think a government does? Write three main functions:

2. Circle the correct definition of democracy:

A system where one person makes all the decisions

A system where people participate by voting and have protected rights

A system where the military controls everything

A system where only wealthy people can vote

3. Circle the correct definition of dictatorship:

A system where everyone votes on every decision

A system where one leader or small group holds power with limited freedoms

A system where people change leaders every month

A system where no one is in charge

🇳🇿 Part 2: Comparing Government Systems

4. Fill in the comparison chart below. Use the word bank to help you:

Word Bank: elections, one person, citizens vote, restricted, protected, chosen by people, inherited/seized power, many freedoms, limited freedoms

Democracy (New Zealand)

Who holds power? _________________________

How is leadership chosen? _________________________

Citizen participation: _________________________

Rights and freedoms: _________________________

Dictatorship (North Korea)

Who holds power? _________________________

How is leadership chosen? _________________________

Citizen participation: _________________________

Rights and freedoms: _________________________

5. Check all the characteristics that apply to New Zealand's democracy:

People can vote for their leaders

Freedom of speech is protected

Only one political party is allowed

Citizens can protest peacefully

The media is controlled by the government

People can travel freely

🔍 Part 3: Key Concepts and Vocabulary

6. Match the terms with their correct definitions:

1. Citizens

2. Elections

3. Representation

4. Censorship

5. Parliament

A. When people vote to choose their leaders

B. People who belong to a country and have rights

C. New Zealand's law-making body

D. When leaders speak for the people who elected them

E. Controlling what people can say or read

7. True or False? Circle your answer:

In a democracy, all citizens have equal voting rights: TRUE / FALSE

Dictators usually allow free and fair elections: TRUE / FALSE

New Zealand citizens can criticise the government: TRUE / FALSE

In North Korea, people can freely access the internet: TRUE / FALSE

💭 Part 4: Critical Thinking and Reflection

8. List three democratic values that are important in New Zealand:

9. Why do you think it is important for a country to allow people to participate in government? Write a paragraph explaining your thoughts:

10. How do you participate (or could you participate) in New Zealand's democracy? Give two examples:

🏠 Part 5: Extension Activity

11. Research Task: Find one interesting fact about New Zealand's democracy OR North Korea's dictatorship to share in the next lesson. Write it below:

12. Draw a simple diagram showing the difference between how leaders are chosen in a democracy versus a dictatorship:

Democracy vs Dictatorship Comparison

Democracy vs Dictatorship Comparison

🏛️ Part 1: Understanding Government Systems

🇳🇿 Part 2: Comparing Government Systems

Democracy (New Zealand)

Dictatorship (North Korea)

🔍 Part 3: Key Concepts and Vocabulary

💭 Part 4: Critical Thinking and Reflection

🏠 Part 5: Extension Activity

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