3.6 – Reading #4: Putting It All Together
Click the start button below to listen to a recording of Module 3 Reading Text [or listen as your teacher reads] OR take just a couple of minutes to scan the text again quickly. Think about any words or information you still have questions about. Then discuss the critical thinking questions as a class.
READING TEXT
Module 3: Forms of Government
Governments make the laws for people living in one place. Different countries have different types of governments. Some government systems give a lot of power to one person or group to rule, or lead the country. Other systems share power between government leaders, government groups, and the people who elect them. We will look at some examples of different types of governments.
A monarchy is a government ruled by a monarch (a king, queen, or emperor). This person usually becomes a leader because their family has power. In some monarchies, this person is the only leader, but sometimes they also share power with other government groups in the country. In Great Britain, the king or queen works with the Parliament, or, elected leaders.
A dictatorship is a government ruled by a dictator. This is usually one strong person who does not share power with anyone and controls the country alone. Sometimes, a military leader uses soldiers to rule the country as a dictator. In other countries, a member of a powerful group or family controls the government. For many years, North Korea has had a dictator as its leader.
An oligarchy is a government system that is controlled by a small group of people with power, usually members of a rich family or a strong political group. These groups can put people who support their ideas into the government. An example of an oligarchy would be wealthy people in Russia.
A theocracy is a government designed to follow the rules of one religion, and religious leaders form the government. Iran and Vatican City are examples of this system.
In a representative democracy, citizens can vote in elections to choose people to represent them as leaders. The United States government is a representative democracy. Citizens elect many of the leaders who work in our city governments (like mayors); state governments (like governors); and the U.S. government (like the president and vice president). It is important to vote for leaders who will truly work for the people they represent.
Voters living in a democracy have the right to choose their leaders and can even run for office in the government. To vote and take office in a democratic country, you must be a citizen, or a full member of that nation. But whether someone is a citizen or noncitizen, all people living in a representative democracy are constituents (members) of the country. Every constituent has legal rights, protections, and a powerful voice. All constituents can call, email, or meet with government representatives to share their ideas and opinions. All constituents can speak at government meetings in their city or state. They can join or organize protests if they see a problem. The government works for the people. People elect representatives, so representatives should listen and answer to the people.
BONUS MATERIALS FROM OUR TEACHER COMMUNITY!
Forms of Government Graphic Organizer
Created by Azul Kmiecik – Literacy Minnesota
Review Questions
Review the three questions below and be prepared to discuss the answers as a class or in small groups.
- How are oligarchies, dictatorships, and monarchies similar? How are they different?
- Why might a democracy work better than the other systems listed above?
- Why might it be difficult to have a democracy?
Remember, when you are asked to summarize something you read (or something you hear), you are being asked to provide a brief statement of the most important parts of a reading passage. A summary includes the main idea and major supporting details.
To practice, review the five sentences below and think about which three you would want to include in a summary of the reading for Module 3, “Forms of Government”?
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- Democracy is the best system of government.
- Some government systems give power to one person and some share powers between leaders and other groups.
- Voters living in a democracy have the right to vote for leaders and those leaders work for the people.
- One person is in control in a dictatorship, a small group rules in an oligarchy, and many people have power in a democracy.
- Queen Elizabeth was the British monarch from 1952 until 2022.
- If you chose number 2, 3, and 4 as good statements to include in a summary, you are correct! These sentences include the reading’s important ideas without being too detailed.
- Number 1 and 5 are not good to include in a summary because one is an opinion and the other is a very specific detail.
Next, review the following activity:
In future modules, you will be asked to briefly summarize the reading to someone who hadn’t read it.
