Starter quiz
- The name for the group of elected people who run the UK is the ...
- 'government' ✓
- Which of these is not an example of a democracy?
- free and fair voting system
- individual rights
- one person in charge of everything ✓
- freedom of speech
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- Which of these are reasons why it is important to learn about democracy at school?
- helps pupils to understand how decisions are made in the country ✓
- teaches pupils about their rights and responsibilities ✓
- prepares pupils to be informed, active citizens who contribute to society ✓
- informs pupils how to make their voices heard, now and in the future ✓
- so we can pick leaders who will always make us happy
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- Which is the most accurate description of an 'active citizen'?
- a person who takes an active role in society in order to bring positive change ✓
- a person who is up-to-date with the news
- a person with good leadership skills
- a person who pays their taxes
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- Match the word to its correct definition.
- community⇔people living in the same place or having particular characteristics ✓
- local⇔something that is in, represents or affects a small area, e.g. town ✓
- national⇔something that is in, represents or affects an entire nation/country ✓
- society⇔people living together in ordered communities ✓
- Every person who lives in the UK is allowed to vote to choose the leaders of their town or city. True or false?
- 'False' ✓
Exit quiz
- What is the definition for the word 'authority'?
- the right to vote
- the power or right to give orders or make decisions ✓
- the right to do whatever you want
- accepting orders and accepting decisions made by others
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- If the definition is, 'a group of people given the authority to govern a group of people, e.g. community, state, country', what is the word?
- community
- powers
- government ✓
- officers
- democracy
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- Which kind of government does this statement best describe? 'Holds power over the whole of the UK on many issues'
- local government
- central government ✓
- regional government
-
- ______ are courses of action or goals that governments plan to carry out or are in the process of carrying out.
- 'Policies' ✓
- The leaders of local governments are called ...
- MPs (Members of Parliament)
- councillors ✓
- governors
- officers
-
- From largest to smallest, order these types of government by the size of the area they control.
- 1⇔central government
- 2⇔regional government
- 3⇔local government
Worksheet
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The UK is a democracy which gives citizens the right to vote for people to make decisions on their behalf.
- The government is made up of two main branches, local and central, which have different roles and responsibilities.
- Central government makes laws and decisions about national issues. It is at the centre of decision-making.
- Local governments make decisions regarding how services are carried out in the local area.
Common misconception
Local governments make laws.
Laws are made by central government, which must be followed by local councils. However, they can lobby the central government and influence policy through campaigns, consultations and public pressure.
Keywords
Government - the individuals who have been elected and given the authority to run the state, led by the Prime Minister (PM) in the UK
Authority - the power or right to have official responsibility, to give orders and make decisions
Policies - courses of action or goals that people plan to carry out, or are in the process of carrying out
Democracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives, who then make laws and decisions on their behalf
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