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 watch the videos under “Resources.”

2. For RUSSIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What/where specifically would these words be banned?
c) Do you think the U.S. would/should/could impose a ban on swearing similar to Russia’s impending ban? Explain your answer.
d) Ask a parent and a grandparent how the use of expletives in public has changed since the time they were teenagers.

3. For CHINA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What are authorities reacting to by offering these rewards?

4. For AUSTRALIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Why have these starfish become such a threat to the coral?
c) The Guardian reports, “Critics of the strategy claim that the injections are largely futile because some female crown-of-thorns starfish can produce up to 60 million eggs.” How should officials respond to this criticism?