Karen Patterson, age 14, of Nampa, Ida., for her question:

WHAT IS A COMMONWEALTH?

Commonwealth is a term sometimes used for a state, country or group of states and countries. It originally meant a group of people who banded together for the common good or public welfare.

Actually, the United States could be called a commonwealth. Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia and Kentucky use the word "commonwealth" as part of their official titles. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States.

Australia's official name is The Commonwealth of Australia. The country is made up of a number of states.

The Commonwealth of Nations includes such countries as Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.