Government past questions: WAEC SSCE 2023

50 objective questions, with answers. Free to read and practise.

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50 questions, one at a time, marked as you go or at the end. No account needed.

1.
A democratic country is one in which the people have the right to
1. A.participate in decision making
2. B.disregard laws they abhor
3. C.violently overthrow a government
4. D.punish government by not honouring tax obligation
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Answer: A participate in decision making
2.
A public declaration of policy and aims especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate is commonly called
1. A.steps to govern
2. B.Policy paper
3. C.guide to government
4. D.manifesto
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Answer: D manifesto
3.
A social, political and economic arrangement in which landed property and other natural resources are collectively owned is referred to as
1. A.Federalism
2. B.Liberalism
3. C.Communalism
4. D.Feudalism
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Answer: C Communalism
4.
A state that has two levels of government is commonly referred to as
1. A.concurrent states
2. B.cooperative government
3. C.federal state
4. D.coalition government
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Answer: C federal state
5.
An executive president is one who wields the powers of a
1. A.head of state and government
2. B.ceremonial president only
3. C.leader of government business only
4. D.despot and benevolent dictator
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Answer: A head of state and government
6.
Apart from globalization, what other factor to a large extent affects the sovereignty of a state?
1. A.Right of a franchise
2. B.System of government
3. C.International laws
4. D.Inalienability
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Answer: C International laws
7.
Bicameral legislature contributes to the democratic process by
1. A.recommending the use of force on policy
2. B.suppressing minority rights
3. C.imposing programmes and policies on the executive
4. D.widening the scope of political participation
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Answer: D widening the scope of political participation
8.
Elections plays a major role in the democratic process because, it
1. A.ensures only good people rule
2. B.manipulates the electoral process
3. C.confers legitimacy
4. D.projects the class system
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Answer: C confers legitimacy
9.
Maintenance of law and order in a state is the function of the
1. A.citizens of the state
2. B.executive arm of government
3. C.legislative arm of government
4. D.judicial service
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Answer: B executive arm of government
10.
One of the factors that influences decentralization of power in a state is
1. A.weak central authority
2. B.widening political participation
3. C.maximum allegiance to the state
4. D.maximum loyalty
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Answer: B widening political participation
11.
One of the formidable challenges the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is confronted with is the
1. A.absence of a common platform for debate
2. B.over reliance on foreign aid
3. C.absence of technology transfer
4. D.arms race among member states
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Answer: B over reliance on foreign aid
12.
One of the function of the electoral management body is to
1. A.conduct training programmes for presidential candidates
2. B.look for external sources besides the government to fund its operations
3. C.interpret the electoral laws fairly
4. D.engage in business to increase its financial capacity
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Answer: C interpret the electoral laws fairly
13.
One of the high points of the activities of the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) led to the
1. A.proposal for African unity
2. B.creation of the African High Command
3. C.Africanization of the Executive Council
4. D.introduction of the elective principles
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Answer: D introduction of the elective principles
14.
One of the low points in the cabinet system of government is that, the
1. A.divided loyalty of the cabinet ministers is strong
2. B.centre of power in the system is stable
3. C.Prime Minister does not regard the Head of State
4. D.tenure of government is always not stable
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Answer: D tenure of government is always not stable
15.
One of the major criticisms levelled against the United Nations (UN) is its inability to
1. A.ensure fair permanent representation
2. B.enforce affirmative action and equal wealth
3. C.adopt a universal language for its operation
4. D.ensure universal access to education
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Answer: A ensure fair permanent representation
16.
One of the negative effects of colonial rule on West African states was the
1. A.building of roads and rail network
2. B.social interventions
3. C.western education
4. D.dependency syndrome
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Answer: D dependency syndrome
17.
Public opinion is formed through the following channels except
1. A.Cabinet
2. B.Elections
3. C.Mass media
4. D.Political parties
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Answer: A Cabinet
18.
Secret voting assists the voter in making a decision without
1. A.coercion
2. B.pondering over issues
3. C.national interest
4. D.public good
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Answer: A coercion
19.
The African Union (AU) is saddled with one of these challenges and that is
1. A.absence of rich natural resources
2. B.tensions and political discord among member states
3. C.inter-ethnic extinction and poor social cohesion
4. D.weak labour force
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Answer: B tensions and political discord among member states
20.
The art of maintaining peaceful relationships between states, groups or individuals mostly comes about as a result of the activities and functions of
1. A.the legislature
2. B.security agencies
3. C.diplomats
4. D.the media
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Answer: C diplomats
21.
The best way to keep the military at bay from interfering in politics is by ensuring
1. A.high pay rise every year
2. B.their inclusion in government
3. C.good governance
4. D.effective control of their day to day operations
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Answer: C good governance
22.
The biggest obstacle which also slowed down nationalist activities in French West African Colonies was the
1. A.assimilation policy
2. B.constitutional reforms and entrenchment of human rights
3. C.assassination of chiefs
4. D.deportation of Africans to France
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Answer: A assimilation policy
23.
The civil service is different from the public service in terms of
1. A.educational qualification
2. B.political affiliation
3. C.conditions of service
4. D.personality and stature
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Answer: C conditions of service
24.
The Commonwealth of Nations is committed to one of the following principles
1. A.human rights and democracy
2. B.supervise political activities of member states
3. C.draft constitution for member states
4. D.finance budget of member states
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Answer: A human rights and democracy
25.
The cornerstone of a functioning democracy is the
1. A.foreign policy and military alliances
2. B.appropriation bill
3. C.free and fair elections
4. D.expenditure pattern of the executive
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Answer: C free and fair elections
26.
The Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) is now confronted with a new security threat which is
1. A.extremism
2. B.smuggling of illegal goods across states
3. C.weak national armies
4. D.proportional representation
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Answer: A extremism
27.
The exercise of power can arise from any of the following sources except
1. A.ideological power
2. B.legitimate power
3. C.expert power
4. D.charismatic power
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Answer: A ideological power
28.
The following issues are some of the challenges the United Nations (UN) addresses except
1. A.oligarchical regimes
2. B.humanitarian aids
3. C.human rights
4. D.climate change
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Answer: A oligarchical regimes
29.
The French Colonial policies in her West African colonies were different from the British in many ways except in
1. A.discriminatory laws
2. B.citizenship
3. C.imperialism
4. D.cultural imposition
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Answer: C imperialism
30.
The function of the Diplomatic Missions include the following except
1. A.project the culture of the people
2. B.woo investors
3. C.pay salaries of workers of the mission
4. D.gather intelligence information
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Answer: C pay salaries of workers of the mission
31.
The Fundamental Human Rights and Liberties must be entrenched in a constitution to
1. A.serve majority interest
2. B.show concern for the people
3. C.make it difficult to tamper with
4. D.espouse love for the country
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Answer: C make it difficult to tamper with
32.
The issues that are at the core of a country's foreign policy are referred to as
1. A.globalisation
2. B.state area
3. C.national interest
4. D.diplomacy
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Answer: C national interest
33.
The judiciary occupies an important place in every state because it is
1. A.mandated to supervise the functions of the executive
2. B.a unique profession of intellectuals
3. C.protector of the rights of the people
4. D.a body of upright and just people in society
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Answer: C protector of the rights of the people
34.
The local government system assists best in mentoring and grooming people for
1. A.military oprations
2. B.leadership positions
3. C.citizenship and justice
4. D.large-scale farming
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Answer: B leadership positions
35.
The media, commonly referred to as the fourth estate of the realm , monitors the activities of government on behalf of the
1. A.people
2. B.executive
3. C.civil society
4. D.media organisation
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Answer: A people
36.
The official routine observed in carrying out functions in the civil service is commonly known as
1. A.official order
2. B.bureaucracy
3. C.standard order
4. D.command
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Answer: B bureaucracy
37.
The overriding consideration for the creation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) was to place Africa on the path to
1. A.capitalist government
2. B.non-alignment
3. C.growth and development
4. D.military might
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Answer: C growth and development
38.
The pattern of rule by the French in her West African colonies was highly
1. A.decentralized
2. B.proportional
3. C.consultative
4. D.centralized
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Answer: D centralized
39.
The public Service Commission performs the following functions except
1. A.advisory body
2. B.imposition of income tax
3. C.welfare of personnel
4. D.discipline of personnel
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Answer: B imposition of income tax
40.
The reason for which the government should take a key interest in the activities of pressure groups is that, they
1. A.provide valuable feedback on government policies and programmes
2. B.force coalition among political parties for election
3. C.blackmail political leaders
4. D.dictate the path and direction for government programmes
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Answer: A provide valuable feedback on government policies and programmes
41.
The reluctance of military regimes to hand over power to civilian administration is because they
1. A.negotiate better loan terms for the country than the civilian government
2. B.have the backing of traditional rulers, their subjects and the clergy
3. C.feel a sense of entitlement
4. D.perceive civilians and politicians as evil doers and backward
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Answer: C feel a sense of entitlement
42.
The rigid nature of a constitution makes it
1. A.accessible to all
2. B.infallible and standard
3. C.easy for quick review
4. D.complicated for amendment
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Answer: D complicated for amendment
43.
The underlying principle of the concept of seperation of powers is mainly to
1. A.educate people on their rights
2. B.tame the executive
3. C.prevent arbitrariness
4. D.ensure constitutional review
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Answer: C prevent arbitrariness
44.
There are two types of committee system in the House of parliament as part of their operations and one of such is
1. A.parliamentary service board
2. B.expert committee
3. C.Committee of the Whole House
4. D.Leadership Committee
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Answer: C Committee of the Whole House
45.
Unitary system of government is adopted by some states because
1. A.of homogeneity
2. B.it guarnatees democracy
3. C.it builds the capacity of citizens in good time
4. D.of mineral resources
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Answer: A of homogeneity
46.
What is commonly referred to as the association of the government and the governed?
1. A.confederation
2. B.state
3. C.federation
4. D.monarchy
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Answer: B state
47.
What type of right enables citizens to participate in state affairs?
1. A.judicial right
2. B.social right
3. C.habeas corpus
4. D.political right
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Answer: D political right
48.
Which of the following systems of government does not practice collective responsibility?
1. A.Communalism system
2. B.Non-centralised system
3. C.Executive system
4. D.Cabinet system
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Answer: B Non-centralised system
49.
Which one among the following is a significant factor that influences the foreign policy of a country?
1. A.Gender of the political leader
2. B.Educational system
3. C.Recruitment policy
4. D.political system
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Answer: D political system
50.
Which system of government allows for and guarantees maximum competition?
1. A.Feudalism
2. B.Capitalism
3. C.Communism
4. D.Social Democracy
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Answer: B Capitalism

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