Name______________________________________________
Period_____
7th Grade Social Studies: Q2 Study Guide
Government and Economics
1. Compare and contrast an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy. Give one similarity
and one difference.
Similarity: They both have a king or queen
Differences: An absolute monarchy is an unlimited government and the king has total control. A
constitutional monarchy is a limited form of government where an elected legislature has the real
power.
2. What type of leader rules a theocracy?
A religious leader rules a theocracy
3. Fill in the chart to show the differences between a democracy and a dictatorship.
Democracy
Dictatorship
Limited or unlimited government
Limited
Unlimited
How is the leader determined?
Elections
Leader takes power by force or
may inherit power
Government’s treatment of
citizens
Citizens are treated well and
have a lot freedoms and rights
Citizens are mistreated and have
few or no rights
4. Fill in the chart to show the differences between communism and capitalism.
Communism
Capitalism
Command or market economy
Command
Market
Economic decisions are made
by…
Government
Business owners and consumers
(supply and demand)
Distribution of wealth
Money is distributed EVENLY
Private property
No private property, the
government owns all of the land
Uneven, there are rich and poor,
people get paid different
amounts based on their job
You can own as much private
property as you can afford
Type of government or leader
typical of the economy
Dictatorship
Democracy
Example of a country
North Korea
USA
China is a communist country, but they have been adding elements of capitalism (MIXED ECONOMY)
5. Define the following economic terms:

import: to buy goods or resources from other countries

export: to sell goods or resources to other countries

GDP: Gross Domestic Product-The value of all goods and services produced within a country
in a year

GNP: Gross National Product- the value of all goods and services produced within and outside
of a country

globalization: A trend toward the development of a worldwide culture with an
interdependent economy- the social, cultural, and economic linking of nations

interdependence: When countries rely on each for goods, services, ideas and markets
6. Use the following information and determine the fake country’s per capita GDP. Some information
may not be used.
GDP: $1,000,000
GNP: $2,000,000
Population: 500 people
Land area: 50,000 sq. miles
Take the GDP divided by the population- $2,000
7. Use the following information to assess the standard of living of Australia. Explain your answer.
Australia: per capita GDP-$41,000
Life expectancy-81 years
Literacy rate-99%
Australia has a high standard of living. Education and healthcare must be good because the literacy rate
and life expectancy are so high.
8. Explain why foreign exchange rates for currency are necessary for world trade.
Countries use different types of money that are worth different amounts. There must be a way to turn
one country’s money into another country’s currency so the two country can trade with one another.
9. What types of consumer goods does the United States import?
The US imports a variety of consumer goods like electronics, clothes, toys, and cars
World Religions
10. Fill in the chart about world religions.
Hinduism
Buddhism
Islam
Christianity
Judaism
Term for its
followers
Hindus
Buddhists
Muslims
Christians
Jews
Monotheistic
or Polytheistic
Polytheistic
Neither
Monotheistic
Monotheistic
Monotheistic
Founder
No specific
founder
Siddhartha
Gautama
Muhammad
Jesus Christ
Moses
Holy Book
Vedas
Tripitaka
Holy Bible
Torah (Tenakh)
Location
where it is
practiced
today
India
East Asia
Qur’an or
Koran
Middle East
(SW Asia) and
North Africa,
Indonesia
Americas,
Europe,
Australia
USA, Israel
11. What is the difference between monotheism and polytheism?
Monotheism: Belief in one god
Polytheism: Belief in many gods
12. What is reincarnation and which religions believe in it?
Reincarnation is the belief that when you die your soul is reborn into a new body.
Hinduism and Buddhism believes in reincarnation
13. Which religion is the oldest and which one is the youngest?
oldest- Hinduism (2000-1500 BC)
youngest- Islam (600s AD)
River Valley Civilizations
14. Name four characteristics of a civilization.
-Live in an organized society
-Farm and produce more food than they need
-Have some form of government
-Practice division of labor
-Develop a written language
15. Fill in the chart about the Ancient Egyptians and Sumerians.
Ancient Egyptians
Sumerians
Location
Along the Nile River
Along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Mesopotamia
Government
Theocracy with one pharaoh for all of
the land
Religion
Polytheism
City-states each with their own king (at
first a theocracy, then ruled by military
kings)
Polytheism
Architecture
Built pyramids as tombs for the
pharaohs
Built Ziggurats (temples) and homes
made out of mud bricks
Inventions/
Achievements
365 day calendar, black ink, and the
sail
Number system based on 60, the
wheel, and plow
Writing (term for it,
materials used, how it
was translated)
Hieroglyphics were written on
papyrus, translated by the Rosetta
Stone
Cuneiform was written on clay tablets
and translated by the Behistun Cliff
16. What was the Han dynasty of China known for?
Invented paper, began the Silk Road, added to the Great Wall
17. What was the Qin dynasty of China known for?
1st Empire of China, gave China its name, began the Great Wall, unified a system of weights and
measures as well as writing
18. Explain what the Silk Road was and give three details about it.
Silk Road-An ancient trade route that linked China with the west
-Used for over a 1,000 years
-China traded silk, tea, spices, paper, porcelain, and gunpowder with other regions
-The Great Wall provided protection for part of the Silk Road
19. What was the first civilization in the Indus River Valley and what was it known for?
Harappans were known for their well planned cities with brick sewers and plumbing
20. Explain who the Indo-Aryans were and name two things they contributed to India’s culture
(consider religion and language).
The Indo-Aryans conquered the Harappans and took over the Indus River Valley. They developed
Hinduism and a written language called Sanskrit.