Assessment Activity

Assessment Activity 7thgrade Geography – Vermillion Middle School Chapter 3, Section 4: Political Systems

1. Using the international definition, would South Dakota be considered a state? • Yes • No

Try Again… • Remember, a state is a region that shares a government. While South Dakota has its own government, it is still a part of an even bigger national government. Using the international definition, the United States would be considered a state, South Dakota would not. << RETURN

Correct • Using the international definition, South Dakota is not considered a state. The United States itself would be because the entire U.S. shares a single national government. CONTINUE >>

2. Which of the following is NOT a type of state? • Nation-State • Empire • City-State • Dependency • Alliance

Try Again… • Remember that a nation-state describes a state that is independent or not controlled by any other state << RETURN

Try Again… • Remember, a city-state is a state which controls only a single city. Vatican City was an example of a city-state. << RETURN

Try Again… • An empire is a state that controls many different states. << RETURN

Try Again… • A dependency is a state that is controlled by another state. Puerto Rico was an example of a dependency because it is controlled by the United States. << RETURN

Correct • An alliance is not a state but an agreement between nations. CONTINUE >>

3. In which of these systems does one person have complete control • Const. Monarchy • Absolute Monarchy • Oligarchy • Republic

Try Again… • While there is a king or a queen in a Constitutional Monarchy, the power of the king or queen is extremely limited. The real power is with a separate government. << RETURN

Try Again… • In an oligarchy, the power is with a small group of people and not one single individual. << RETURN

Try Again… • A republic is another word for representative democracy. In this system, the people elected representatives to make decision for them so the people have the real power. << RETURN

Correct • An absolute monarchy is a system in which all the power is in the hand of a king or queen. CONTINUE >>

4. In which system do all members have a say but the final decisions are made by one or a few? • Direct Democracy • Republic • Oligarchy • Tribal

Try Again… • In a direct democracy, not only do all people get a say but everyone makes the big decisions. << RETURN

Try Again… • In a republic or representative democracy, everyone has a say and decisions are made by the representatives of the people. The representatives are held accountable to the people for their decisions; the real power is with the people. << RETURN

Try Again… • In an oligarchy, the decisions are made by a few or, in some cases, one but the average person does not get a say. << RETURN

Correct • In a tribal system, everyone has a say but the final decision is made by the chief or elders. CONTINUE >>

5. In an absolute monarchy, one person has the power and usually has to take it by force. • True • False

Try Again… • It is true in an absolute monarchy that one person has the power but they inherit it and do not have to take it by force. In a dictatorship, they do. << RETURN

Correct • In an absolute monarchy, one person has the power but inherits it and does not have to take it by force. CONTINUE >>

6. Which refers to an agreement among nations to work together? • Alliance • Constitution • Government • State

Try Again… • A Constitution is a set of laws define and often limit government powers. It applies only to the one nation that adopted it. << RETURN

Try Again… • A government is an organization that sets up and enforces laws. The government only has jurisdiction over its state. << RETURN

Try Again… • A state is a region that shares a government. A state would refer to one nation in particular. << RETURN

Correct • An alliance is an agreement among nations to work together. CONTINUE >>

7. Which of the following describes the United States? • Direct Democracy • Constitutional Monarchy • Representative Democracy • Oligarchy

Try Again… • If the United States were a direct democracy than every decision would be left up to the voters; this does not happen in the United States. << RETURN

Try Again… • If the United States were an oligarchy, the average person would not have a say and would not be allowed to vote. All decisions would be made by a small group of people. << RETURN

Try Again… • If the United States a constitutional monarchy then the U.S. Constitution would be limiting the power of the King or Queen of the United States. << RETURN

Correct • The people of the United States elect other people (a president, members of Congress, etc) to make decisions for them. It is a representative democracy. CONTINUE >>

8. Which of the following describes the United States? • Dependency • Nation-state • City-state

Try Again… • If the United States were a dependency, then it would be under the control of another state, which it is not. << RETURN

Try Again… • If the United States were a city-state then it would be the size of one city. Since the U.S. is considerably larger than one city, it is not a city-state. << RETURN

Correct • The United States is independent and in control of itself so it is a nation-state. CONTINUE >>

9. Which of the following describes VMS Student Council? • Direct Democracy • Representative Democracy • Oligarchy

Try Again… • If the VMS student body practiced direct democracy, there would be no student council since all the students themselves would vote and decide on the issues. << RETURN

Try Again… • If the VMS Student Council were an oligarchy, they would not be elected by the students. << RETURN

Correct • The Vermillion Middle School students elect members to the Student Council to make decisions for them so it is an example of a representative democracy. CONTINUE >>

10. How would you classify this classroom? • Dictatorship • Representative Democracy • Oligarchy • Other?

Why? • Explain why you selected this answer. << RETURN

Assessment Activity