Notes: / Vladimir Putin has been Russia's dominant political figure since his election as president in 2000, serving two terms and then a four-year stint as prime minister, before resuming the presidency in 2012.
Since his re-election against only token opposition, Russia's authorities have further tightened control over the media, muffled an embryonic opposition movement, and adopted a stridently nationalist and anti-Western course at home and abroad to shore up domestic support, in contrast to a previous emphasis on stability and prosperity.
The president presents himself as a strong leader who took Russia out of the economic, social and political crisis of the 1990s and defends Russia's national interests, particularly against what he portrays as Western to corner Russia and foist its cultural values on it.
1. Who is the leader of Russia?
2. What is the leader’s title?
3. How did Vladimir Putin become the leader of Russia?
4. What has happened since he became the leader?
Germany
Notes: / Angela Merkel, Germany's first female chancellor, won a third term in September 2013, leading her conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) to victory and only narrowly failing to secure an outright majority. The CDU's election campaign focused on Mrs Merkel's image as a safe pair of hands amid financial turmoil in Europe.
Her coalition partner since 2009, the small pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), failed to win any seats in the election, so the chancellor formed a pact with her Christian Social Union allies and the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) - in a re-run of the "grand coalition" she had formed on first becoming chancellor in 2005.
Angela Merkel became leader of the CDU in 2000 after the then party head, Wolfgang Schaeuble, resigned in connection with the party funding scandal that also tainted her long-time mentor, former Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
1. Who is the leader of Germany?
2. What is the leader’s title?
3. How did Angela Merkel become the leader of Russia?
4. How many different political parties are mentioned in the article? What have they done to gain strength?
United Kingdom
Notes: / Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II became queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1952 upon the death of her father, George VI.In September 2015, she became Britain's longest-reigning monarch, surpassing the record of her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
She is also head of state of 16 independent countries including Canada and Australia. As a constitutional monarch, her role in the legislative process is largely ceremonial.
Prime minister: Theresa May
Theresa May became prime minister in July 2016 on the resignation of her predecessor and fellow Conservative, David Cameron, in the wake of a referendum vote for Britain to leave the European Union.
Mrs May backed Mr Cameron's support for Britain to remain in the EU, but faces the task of overseeing its exit before the next general election in 2020. She served as home secretary in both of Mr Cameron's governments, the 2010-2015 Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition and the 2015-2016 Conservative majority administration, acquiring a reputation for combining firmness on security with a relatively liberal stance on social issues.
1. Who are the leaders of the United Kingdom?
2. What are the titles of the two leaders?
3. What is the difference between a head of state and a Prime Minister?
1. What type of government does the United Kingdom have?
Type of government (Autocratic, oligarchic, Democratic) ______
Evidence 1 ______
Evidence 2 ______
2. What type of government does Germany have (Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic)?
Type of government (Autocratic, oligarchic, Democratic) ______
Evidence 1 ______
Evidence 2 ______
3. Russia claims to be democratic, is this a true statement?
Are they democratic (yes or no) ______
Evidence 1 ______
Evidence 2 ______