Social Studies Worksheet · Grades 5–8
The United Nations Worksheet
A printable social studies worksheet for grades 5-8 on the United Nations. Students read a one-page passage on why the organization was founded, what the Charter does, how its six principal organs are arranged, and why it issues resolutions instead of laws — then answer four multiple-choice questions, six true-or-false statements, and six fill-ins. A complete answer key is included.
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Subject
Social Studies
Grades
Grades 5–8
Skill Focus
The United Nations, civics & government
Lesson Length
40 minutes
Learning Objective
Students will explain why the United Nations was created, how it is organized, and what it can and cannot do.
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
The United Nations was not the first attempt. After the First World War the world built the League of Nations to settle quarrels before they became wars, and it failed at exactly the thing it existed for: the Second World War began anyway. This worksheet starts there, because the failure is what explains the design of what came next.
Fifty countries met in San Francisco while that war was still being fought and signed the Charter on June 26, 1945; Poland signed later and still counts among the fifty-one original members. The Charter took effect on October 24, which is why that date is marked as United Nations Day. It works like a constitution — it lists the goals, sets the rules, and binds every member that joins.
What is missing from the Charter matters as much as what is in it. The founders did not want a world government, so the organization does not pass laws; it issues resolutions, and most of its strength comes from agreement and public pressure rather than force. It cannot tax anyone. Every member keeps its sovereignty — its right to govern itself. Students are asked to reason about that limit rather than just recite it.
The passage names all six principal organs, including the one most lists forget: the Trusteeship Council finished its work and has not met since 1994. The membership number is current at 193, which has been the total since South Sudan joined in 2011. Page 2 asks sixteen questions in three forms; page 3 is a complete answer key.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the passage on page 1.
Answer the four multiple-choice questions in Section A.
Mark each Section B statement TRUE or FALSE, and be ready to say why.
Write the missing word in each Section C sentence.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or grading.
Discuss what an organization can accomplish when it cannot pass a law or collect a tax.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Free Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
The United Nations Worksheet
A printable social studies worksheet for grades 5-8 on the United Nations. Students read a one-page passage on why the organization was founded, what the Charter does, how its six principal organs are arranged, and why it issues resolutions instead of laws — then answer four multiple-choice questions, six true-or-false statements, and six fill-ins. A complete answer key is included.
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