Who Rules Answer Key
Teacher Master Key & Guide Grades 7–9 Scaffolded • Unit 2: Human Geography
Who Rules? Reading Key
Stop & Jot prompts, exemplar student answers, and scoring look-fors for the reading passage.
Companion to: Student Reader p. 1
1 The Big Question: Who Holds the Power?
Stop & Jot #1
Prompt: What are three core jobs of every government, and what main question determines citizen freedom?
Model Answer:
Governments exist to (1) maintain order, (2) protect people from harm, and (3) provide public services (roads, schools, clean water). The key question geographers ask is: "Who holds the power to rule?" Whether power rests with one person, an elite few, or everyday citizens directly shapes how much personal freedom people enjoy.
Look-For: Answers must list all three public functions and link power distribution to citizen freedom.
2 Rule by One: Autocracy (Monarchy vs. Dictatorship)
Stop & Jot #2
Prompt: Compare an absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy. How does a dictator seize and keep power?
Model Answer:
Monarchies: Power is hereditary (family bloodline). In an absolute monarchy (Saudi Arabia), the king has complete, unlimited control. In a constitutional monarchy (UK), the monarch is ceremonial while an elected parliament governs under a constitution.
Dictatorships: A dictator takes power through force or military takeover. They maintain control by regulating speech, internet, and schools, while harshly punishing political opposition (e.g., North Korea).
Teacher Tip: Address misconception that all monarchies lack democracy—contrast UK elected parliament with Saudi absolute rule.
3 Rule by a Few: Oligarchy & Theocracy
Stop & Jot #3
Prompt: Where does governing authority originate in an oligarchy versus a theocracy? How much say do citizens have?
Model Answer:
Oligarchy: Authority comes from wealth, military committees (juntas), or political elite status. Decisions serve the powerful few, and ordinary citizens have little say.
Theocracy: Authority is based on divine will and sacred texts (e.g., Iran, Vatican City). Religious leaders govern and enforce religious law as the supreme legal code.
Look-For: Students should clearly differentiate elite secular power (oligarchy) from sacred scripture authority (theocracy).
Who Rules? Understanding World Governments • Master Answer Key Page 1 of 2
Teacher Master Key & Guide Systems & Territorial Governance
Democracy, Republics & Systems
Sections: 4 & 5 + Application Key
4 Rule by the Many: Democracy & Republic
Stop & Jot #4
Prompt: How does ancient Athenian direct democracy differ from a modern representative democracy (republic)?
Model Answer:
In direct democracy (Athens), citizens voted on every individual law themselves. In a representative democracy (republic, like the US and Mexico), citizens elect officials who debate and pass laws. Leaders govern only with the "consent of the governed," and a written constitution guarantees fundamental civil liberties like free speech and voting.
5 Organizing Territory: Unitary vs. Federal Systems
Stop & Jot #5
Prompt: How is governmental authority divided in a unitary system compared to a federal system?
Unitary (France, Japan, UK)
All primary authority rests in one central national government. Regional or local bodies exist only to administer national laws and have no independent sovereignty.
Federal (US, Canada, Germany)
Powers are constitutionally divided and shared between the central national government and regional state/provincial governments.
Quick Check Scenarios: Classification Key
Scenario 1 Republic
"Citizens elect representatives to congress every 4 years under a constitutional bill of rights."
Key: Representative Democracy (Republic)
Scenario 2 Dictatorship
"A military general seizes power by force, bans rival parties, and censors all media."
Key: Totalitarian Dictatorship (Autocracy)
Scenario 3 Theocracy
"A supreme council of clerics reviews all civil legislation to ensure strict compliance with holy scriptures."
Key: Theocracy (Divine Law)
Scenario 4 Federal
"The national capital controls national defense and treaties, while provinces regulate local schooling and roads."
Key: Federal System (Shared Powers)
Grading Guide (Stop & Jot Criterion)
Full Credit (3 pts): Accurately defines government form and explains mechanism of power. Partial (2 pts): Correct label without explaining citizen impact. Developing (1 pt): Incomplete or vague response.
15 Total Pts
Who Rules? Understanding World Governments • Master Answer Key Page 2 of 2
