1. For each of the 3 countries, provide the following information:

a) capital:

b) location/the countries that share its borders:

c) the religious breakdown of the population:

d) the type of government:

e) the chief of state (and head of government if different) [If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? - include name of heir apparent for monarch]:

f) the population:

[Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website. For each country, answers can be found under the "Geography" "People" and "Government" headings.  Go to worldatlas.com for maps and a list of continents.]

NOTE: Before answering the questions below, read the info under “Background” and “Resources.”

2. For INDIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) When does India’s parliamentary election end?
c) Define electorate.
d) Compare India’s electorate to that of the U.S.
e) How many people have been added to India’s electoral rolls since the last election in 2009?

3. For VENEZUELA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) List the reasons for the scarcity of food in Venezuela.
c) The socialist government of Nicholas Maduro has implemented a food ration card for shoppers they say to end food shortages by “preventing food hoarding” and people selling the food they buy from the government controlled (and subsidized) grocery stores on the black market. The government also says the food ration cards are voluntary. What is ironic about a voluntary food ration program?
d) Critics of socialist President Nicholas Maduro are afraid he will set up a mandatory rationing system. Ask a parent what he/she thinks about Maduro’s attempts to incite class envy and to impose government control on private businesses.

4. For UKRAINE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What did Ukraine’s Interior Minister Arsen Avakov say about the pro-Russian protesters who seized state buildings in three Ukrainian cities this weekend?
c) The Obama Administration is again warning Russian President Putin that there will be consequences should Russia invade any more of Ukraine. Do you think U.S. admonitions and warnings will be effective in stopping Russia from going into Ukraine? Explain your answer.