Head of State
Definition
The chief public representative of a country, who may hold ceremonial or executive powers depending on the system of government.
Explanation
The head of state represents the country at home and abroad. In the US, the President serves as both head of state and head of government. In the UK, Canada, and Australia, the monarch (currently King Charles III) is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. In Canada and Australia, the monarch is represented locally by a Governor-General. The distinction between head of state and head of government is important in parliamentary systems, where the head of state's role is largely ceremonial while the head of government exercises executive authority.
Why this matters for your test
All citizenship tests ask about who the head of state is. Know the current head of state and understand the difference between head of state and head of government.
Source: General civics terminology