Name_______________________________________ Date____________________

Warm-Up Activity: You Decide…

Directions:
 Read each statement.
 Decide if you think the scenario is fair or unfair (circle one)
 Explain why or why not.

1. The mayor of your city has decided that his eldest son will be the next mayor and that there will
no longer be elections each year.

I believe this is fair/unfair because ____________________________________________________________

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2. Some very wealthy businesspeople decide that everyone in your town must give them $100
every month so that they can continue to have parties and entertainment every night.

I believe this is fair/unfair because ____________________________________________________________

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3. A small group of city councilors (government officials) pass a law that if you cannot pay your
debts, then you have to work for someone who can pay your debts for the rest of your life.

I believe this is fair/unfair because ____________________________________________________________

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4. The head of the police department decides he wants to be the mayor, so he puts the current
mayor in jail. When people try to speak out against him or criticize him, he uses the police to put
them in jail, too.

I believe this is fair/unfair because ____________________________________________________________

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5. A new law has been proposed, but before it is voted on, citizens can come to talk and give their
opinion on the new law and then vote on whether or not it should be passed.

I believe this is fair/unfair because ____________________________________________________________

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Bonus Challenge:

Which of these situations are the most or least fair? Why? What might make them more
fair?

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 TEACHER ANSWERS: Some answers may vary, but these are possible responses

Warm-Up Activity: You Decide…

Directions:
 Read each statement.
 Decide if you think the scenario is fair or unfair (circle one)
 Explain why or why not.

1. The mayor of your city has decided that his eldest son will be the next mayor and that there will
no longer be elections each year.

I believe this is fair/unfair because _____people should be able to decide who their mayor is.
_______________________________________________________

2. Some very wealthy businesspeople decide that everyone in your town must give them $100
every month so that they can continue to have parties and entertainment every night.

I believe this is fair/unfair because _____I don’t think I should have to give anyone else my
hard-earned money so that they can party._______________________________________________________

3. A small group of city councilors (government officials) pass a law that if you cannot pay your
debts, then you have to work for someone who can pay your debts for the rest of your life.

I believe this is fair/unfair because _____if I eventually pay off my debts why should I still have
to work for them? It’s like slavery!_______________________________________________________

4. The head of the police department decides he wants to be the mayor, so he puts the current
mayor in jail. When people try to speak out against him or criticize him, he uses the police to put
them in jail, too.

I believe this is fair/unfair because ____people should be able to disagree with others (freedom
of speech)!________________________________________________________

5. A new law has been proposed, but before it is voted on, citizens can come to talk and give their
opinion on the new law and then vote on whether or not it should be passed.

I believe this is fair/unfair because ____this gives people the opportunity to have their opinions
heard________________________________________________________
Bonus Challenge:

Which of these situations are the most or least fair? Why? What might make them more
fair?

The situation that is most fair is number 5 because citizens can participate in the decisions being
made. The rest of the situations are not very fair because one or only a few people get to do
whatever they want. In order to make situation 1 more fair, the mayor should not be able to make
his son the mayor. People should have to vote. For situation 2, the money shouldn’t just go to the
business people. No one should have to pay them anything! …
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