1. A FEW RACES COULD DECIDE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE

With the November midterm elections approaching, Democrats and Republicans are competing for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats need to win only a handful of seats currently held by Republicans to gain a majority, and recent election forecasts suggest that dozens of races are becoming more competitive. Rising prices, dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s policies, and concerns about immigration enforcement have influenced voters in many districts. Some Latino voters who supported Republicans in 2024 now appear more likely to support Democrats, while rural voters have expressed frustration with higher farming costs, fuel prices, and cuts to health care programs. Another important factor is redistricting, the process of changing the boundaries of congressional districts. Some states redrew their maps to give one political party an advantage, but changing voter opinions have made several of those districts competitive again. Of the 17 races currently considered tossups, meaning either party has a realistic chance of winning, 12 involve seats held by Republicans. Although election forecasts cannot guarantee results, these closely contested races could determine which party controls the House and how much influence it has over national policies. Create a voter priorities chart that examines four issues influencing the upcoming congressional elections: the cost of living, immigration, health care, and farming expenses. For each issue, identify a group of voters who might be especially concerned about it and explain why. Then rank the four issues according to which you believe would have the greatest influence on voters in your community, supporting your top choice with a short explanation.

2. DEMOCRATS’ BIG PLANS FOLLOWING THE ELECTION

Democratic leaders are preparing an ambitious list of priorities in case their party wins control of Congress in November’s midterm elections. Their main goals include lowering everyday expenses, expanding access to health care, and investigating possible misconduct within President Donald Trump’s administration. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries hopes to introduce several major bills within the first 100 hours of a new Congress. These proposals would restore funding for health care programs, reverse certain cuts to Medicaid, challenge tariffs on imported goods, and seek to end the war with Iran. Democrats also want to address affordable housing, increase the minimum wage, strengthen oversight of immigration enforcement, and prevent members of Congress from trading individual stocks. However, winning a majority in the House would not guarantee that these proposals become law. Most major legislation must also pass the Senate, where Republicans could block bills through a procedure called a filibuster. President Trump could also veto legislation he opposes. Even with these obstacles, Democrats believe controlling Congress would allow them to investigate government actions and influence national policy. Party members still disagree about which issues deserve the most attention, highlighting the challenge of turning campaign promises into actual laws. Create a flowchart showing how a proposed bill becomes a law in the United States. Begin with a member of Congress introducing a bill and follow its path through the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the president. Include what happens if the Senate rejects the bill or the president vetoes it. Use arrows, labels, and brief explanations to illustrate each step. Then identify one point in the process where a proposal from the Democrats’ agenda could face an obstacle, and explain why.

3. THOUSANDS CONTINUE TO PROTEST ACROSS FRANCE

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in cities across France on Saturday to protest economic problems, education funding, and growing inequality. The demonstrations followed weeks of unrest that began with student protests in September and gradually expanded into a nationwide movement. Many participants are frustrated by rising fuel prices, limited job opportunities, and what they believe is insufficient government support for schools and working families. Although most demonstrations remained peaceful, clashes between protesters and police occurred in several cities after nightfall. Authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and security personnel to prevent the widespread vandalism and destruction that occurred during protests the previous weekend. Police made about 1,000 arrests, but officials reported significantly less property damage than before. Authorities also changed protest routes and restricted certain gatherings, prompting criticism from demonstrators who argued that these measures interfered with their right to peacefully assemble. The unrest comes as France prepares for a presidential election in 2027, making public dissatisfaction an important political issue. The demonstrations have raised difficult questions about how governments can protect public safety while respecting citizens’ rights to protest and express disagreement. Consider the different perspectives of three groups affected by the demonstrations in France: peaceful protesters, police officers, and local business owners. Write a brief statement from each group’s perspective explaining its main concerns and what it would want to happen during future demonstrations. Then develop two rules that could help protect both public safety and the right to peaceful protest. Explain how each rule would address the concerns of more than one group.

4. YOUNG PROTESTERS CHALLENGE INDIA’S GOVERNMENT

A growing movement of young people in India is challenging the government over education, voting rights, and political accountability. Protests began several months ago when students expressed frustration with problems in the country’s college entrance examination system. The demonstrations later expanded to include concerns about elections, government transparency, and citizens’ freedom to criticize political leaders. One major controversy involves changes to India’s voter registration lists that removed approximately 130 million names, raising questions among critics about whether eligible citizens could lose their ability to vote. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has defended its democratic record and accused some opponents of encouraging disorder, while protesters argue that questioning government decisions is an essential part of democracy. Many young demonstrators have used humor, social media, national flags, and copies of India’s Constitution to communicate their message. Although police have arrested numerous activists and disrupted demonstrations, the movement has attracted support from established political organizations. Most protests have remained nonviolent, reflecting India’s long tradition of peaceful resistance. The movement highlights a broader debate about the responsibilities of democratic governments, the importance of trustworthy elections, and the role young citizens can play in holding leaders accountable. Examine how young people have used symbols and communication to support their movement in India. Choose three methods mentioned in the summary, such as social media, humor, national flags, or copies of the Constitution. For each method, explain what message it communicates and why it might be effective in attracting public attention. Then create an original slogan for a peaceful student movement focused on improving education or protecting voting rights. Write a short explanation of how your slogan reflects an important democratic principle.

5. STARLINK INTERNET RESTRICTIONS RAISE QUESTIONS FOR MUSK

A dispute over satellite internet access has raised concerns about the role of private technology companies in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia. Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, acknowledged that his company had deliberately slowed parts of its Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine. Starlink uses satellites orbiting Earth to provide internet connections, including in areas where traditional communication systems have been damaged or destroyed. Ukrainian military forces depend on this technology to communicate, coordinate operations, and operate certain drones. The restrictions disrupted military activities for more than a week before service was restored. Musk argued that Ukraine had violated Starlink’s rules by using the civilian service for offensive drone attacks. Ukrainian officials disputed the justification for the restrictions and emphasized that reliable satellite communications are essential to their country’s defense. The situation also raised questions about Starshield, a military-focused satellite system, and whether decisions about its operation were made by SpaceX or the U.S. government. The disagreement occurred as diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the war continued, even as both Russia and Ukraine carried out additional attacks. The controversy highlights how modern military operations increasingly depend on technology controlled by private companies, creating complicated questions about responsibility, national security, and who should make decisions during wartime. Create a two-column comparison examining the advantages and disadvantages of allowing a private company to control communication services used during a war. Include at least three points in each column, considering issues such as reliability, safety, company rules, and government authority. After completing the comparison, write a short recommendation explaining whether decisions to restrict essential military communication systems should primarily belong to private companies, governments, or both. Support your recommendation with reasoning drawn from the situation in Ukraine.