1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information:
a) location/the countries that share its borders
b) the religious breakdown of the population
c) the type of government
d) 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]
e) 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 a list of continents.]

2. For VENEZUELA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) The murder rate in Venezuela was almost 60 per 100,000 in 2011, one of the highest rates in the world. The global average is 6.9 murders per 100,000 people. A recent U.N. report found that over 70% of all homicides in South America are as a results of guns - in Western Europe, the figure was closer to 25%. Hugo Chavez's government says the ultimate aim of the gun ban is to disarm all civilians.  Do you think this will drastically reduce the murder rate in Venezuela or only reduce the number of murders committed with a gun (ie. murder by a different method will increase)?  Explain your answer.
CHALLENGE:  Read the commentary linked to under "Resources" below the questions.  What two points does the commentator make in support of private gun ownership?  Do you agree or disagree with her assertions?  Explain your answer.

3. For CHINA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Read the "Background" below the questions.  What happened on June 4, 1989 in Tiananmen Square? Be specific.

4. For EGYPT:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Read the information below under "Background" and watch the videos under "Resources."  What do you think about the response of the people to Mubarak's sentence?