Government Systems Overview

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📚 Part 1: WALT, Success Criteria & Multiple Choice

WALT: We are learning to identify different types of government and explain key advantages and disadvantages of each system.

Success criteria: I can name at least four types of government, match each type to its features, and list one advantage and one disadvantage for each.

Differentiation: Scaffolded prompts are provided; use bullet notes if helpful. Pair with a peer if you need support.

Extension: Research a country that changed its system in the last 50 years and note the main reasons for the change.

Dyslexia-friendly reading options: Use a coloured overlay, increase text spacing, or read questions aloud. Ask the teacher for a printed copy on cream paper if helpful.

1. Which type of government is based on rule by the people through free and fair elections?

Monarchy

Democracy

Theocracy

Oligarchy

2. Which statement best describes a constitutional monarchy?

The monarch has complete and unlimited power.

The monarch is head of state while an elected parliament makes most laws.

Religious leaders run the government based on sacred texts.

A small elite group makes decisions for the whole country.

3. Check all that apply: Which are common advantages of a federal system?

Local decision-making can suit regional needs

Laws and policies are always identical across the whole country

Regions can experiment with different solutions

It guarantees faster national decision-making in every case

4. What is an oligarchy?

Government by a small group of people, often wealthy or powerful

Government where citizens vote on every law directly

Government led by a religious authority

Government controlled by a single elected person with full power

5. Match each government type (left) with the correct description (right). Draw lines to connect.

A. Democracy

B. Monarchy

C. Theocracy

D. Oligarchy

E. Federalism

1. Power held by religious leaders or according to religious law

2. Citizens elect representatives; government accountability to voters

3. Country divided into regions with their own powers and a central government

4. Rule by a small elite group

5. System with a monarch as head of state (may be ceremonial or absolute)

✏️ Part 2: Short Answers, Analysis & Extension

WALT: We are learning to explain advantages and disadvantages of government systems and evaluate which suits different societies.

Success criteria: I can write one clear advantage and one clear disadvantage for at least three government types and justify a recommendation for a chosen country.

Differentiation: Use sentence starters (e.g. "One advantage is..." / "One drawback is...") or record your answer orally if writing is hard.

Extension: Compare the New Zealand system to another country's system and argue which better protects citizens' rights.

Dyslexia-friendly reading options: Break tasks into bullets, use short paragraphs, and allow extra time.

6. Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of democracy. Be specific.

7. Describe how a constitutional monarchy differs from an absolute monarchy (one or two sentences).

8. Give a real-world example of a federal country and explain one reason federalism works there.

9. Extension challenge (advanced learners): Design a brief outline (4–6 lines) of a system that balances stability and citizen participation. Mention one institution and one safeguard you would include.

Government Systems Overview

Government Systems Overview

📚 Part 1: WALT, Success Criteria & Multiple Choice

✏️ Part 2: Short Answers, Analysis & Extension

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