Government past questions: WAEC SSCE 2024

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

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

1.
[see linked page: question refers to shared diagram/text above]
1. A.assisting in the overthrow of unpopular government
2. B.conducting elections in member countries
3. C.operating the financial sector of poor countries
4. D.promotion of peace and security
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Answer: D promotion of peace and security
2.
A government with corrupt rulers who use their power to exploit the people and natural resources of their own territory to extend their personal wealth and political power is described as
1. A.autocracy
2. B.capitalism
3. C.kleptocracy
4. D.oligarchy
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Answer: C kleptocracy
3.
A set of principles enshrined in a constitution that guide the government in making laws and policies for the welfare of the people is referred to as
1. A.directive principle of state policy
2. B.constitutional provisions
3. C.Human Rights and Administrative Justice
4. D.edicts, customs and traditions
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Answer: A directive principle of state policy
4.
A type of constitution suitable for the governance of a federal state is a
1. A.flexible constitution
2. B.rigid constitution
3. C.republican constitution
4. D.parliamentary constitution
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Answer: B rigid constitution
5.
Accountability in constitutional democracy is best enforced through a system of
1. A.checks and balances
2. B.civil society organisations
3. C.subversion of the law
4. D.selection of the right leaders
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Answer: A checks and balances
6.
As part of its constitutional mandate, the Public Service Commission operates to
1. A.appoint the head of the commission
2. B.carry out the order of the presidency only
3. C.recruit high ranking personnel for the civil service
4. D.review salaries and allowances of staff of the executive only
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Answer: C recruit high ranking personnel for the civil service
7.
By competing in general elections, political parties ultimately offer citizens
1. A.a choice in government
2. B.automatic membership of a party
3. C.opportunity to be extremely to one party
4. D.opportunity to vilify the government
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Answer: A a choice in government
8.
Constitutionally, the local government administration is controlled by the state through
1. A.administrators
2. B.legislation
3. C.native laws
4. D.state bureau
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Answer: B legislation
9.
Diplomacy plays a vital role in shaping the interactions between states and by extension maintaining
1. A.bipolar world
2. B.global stability
3. C.power blocks
4. D.unipolar world
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Answer: B global stability
10.
For the executive to enjoy the goodwill of the people in a democratic state, it must adhere to the tenets of
1. A.the Council of State
2. B.exercise of unrestrained power
3. C.laissez-faire government
4. D.political equality
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Answer: D political equality
11.
Globalisation impacts the development and progress of West African States by way of
1. A.manipulation of economics of states
2. B.propping of regimes
3. C.protecting state sovereignty
4. D.technology transfer
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Answer: D technology transfer
12.
In what way can the local government system assist in national development? By
1. A.aligning local efforts with broader national goals
2. B.depending on the central government for basic needs and development
3. C.encouraging youth movement to the industrial centres
4. D.ensuring only top-bottom policies of government are supported
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Answer: A aligning local efforts with broader national goals
13.
Military rule does not only pose a threat to democracy but also to
1. A.fundamental human rights
2. B.national borders
3. C.nationalism and patriotism
4. D.state sovereignty
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Answer: A fundamental human rights
14.
Nationalism played a crucial role in the struggle for independence in West Africa by way of fostering a sense of community among the people and
1. A.abhorrence of the Western style of governance
2. B.civil disobedience and the killings of white officials
3. C.dismantling of artificial borders
4. D.political consciousness
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Answer: D political consciousness
15.
One of the following options does not pass as a means of ensuring the independence of the judiciary which is
1. A.immunity from prosecution
2. B.promotion on merit
3. C.security of tenure
4. D.salary determined by the executive
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Answer: D salary determined by the executive
16.
One of the paramount roles to play as a citizen in sustaining the democratic system of governance is to
1. A.avoid criticism of government
2. B.play the partisan card
3. C.pray for a good leader
4. D.register and vote in elections
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Answer: D register and vote in elections
17.
One of the pivotal roles played by pressure groups in a functioning democracy is the
1. A.implementation of public policy by them
2. B.influence on public policy decisions
3. C.trumpeting of good deeds of a government always
4. D.blackmailing of the government to act in their favour
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Answer: B influence on public policy decisions
18.
One of the reasons for having two legislative chambers in the governance structure of a country is to ensure the
1. A.executive is kept under check and control
2. B.powers of the lower chamber is suppressed
3. C.strict control of the affairs of the state
4. D.thorough scrutiny of legislation
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Answer: D thorough scrutiny of legislation
19.
One of the reasons for which the United Nations (UN) is considered as the only influential world body is the fact that it
1. A.plays a crucial role in international diplomacy
2. B.supports the war mission of member countries
3. C.influences regime change by supporting the opposition
4. D.withholds humanitarian support to military regimes
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Answer: A plays a crucial role in international diplomacy
20.
Power, authority, legitimacy and sovereignty are described in the study of government as what?
1. A.Basic Concepts and Principles
2. B.Constitutionalism and Meanings
3. C.Principles and Structures
4. D.Structure of Governance
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Answer: A Basic Concepts and Principles
21.
Promoting electoral integrity is the crucial function of which institution of state?
1. A.the civil society organisations
2. B.executive arm of government
3. C.electoral management body
4. D.security services
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Answer: C electoral management body
22.
Public opinion is an essential element in a democracy because it can act as a
1. A.check on leadership and government activities
2. B.mouthpiece for the opposition only
3. C.news outlet for the media and government only
4. D.propaganda tool for the government at all material times
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Answer: A check on leadership and government activities
23.
The African Union (AU) aims to promote gender equality and women's empowerment through the strategic framework organ of the [ ]
1. A.African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
2. B.African Development Bank (ADB)
3. C.New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
4. D.Specialised Commission of Women Empowerment (SCWE)
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Answer: D Specialised Commission of Women Empowerment (SCWE)
24.
The application of the common principles that are important to improve decision-making processes and ultimately strengthen democracy and improve social and economic development is best described as
1. A.fundamental human rights
2. B.good governance
3. C.separation of powers
4. D.social democracy
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Answer: B good governance
25.
The British Colonial policy in her West African territories was marked by the following strategies and structures except
1. A.divide and rule
2. B.economic exploitation
3. C.indirect rule
4. D.investments in the colonies
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Answer: D investments in the colonies
26.
The Crown Colony policy introduced some progressive institutions of governance in West Africa such as the
1. A.creation of the rigid class system
2. B.education of the traditional rulers
3. C.introduction of the Western legal system
4. D.introduction of military academy
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Answer: C introduction of the Western legal system
27.
The following constitute the key features of most independent constitutions in West African States except
1. A.nationalist leaders became army commanders
2. B.democratic principles of governance
3. C.national unity and diversity
4. D.socio-economic rights and development
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Answer: A nationalist leaders became army commanders
28.
The following factors are challenges faced by the judiciary under the doctrine of Separation of Powers except
1. A.appointment of judges
2. B.financial autonomy
3. C.removal of judges from office
4. D.poor legal infrastructure
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Answer: D poor legal infrastructure
29.
The following influential nationalist leaders contributed significantly to shaping the political destiny and nation-states of West Africa except
1. A.Dawda Kairaba Jawara
2. B.Kwame Nkrumah
3. C.Nnamdi Azikwe
4. D.Oliver Tambo
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Answer: D Oliver Tambo
30.
The fundamental principles by which a state is ordered and governed are usually outlined in a
1. A.bill
2. B.constitution
3. C.parliamentary proceedings
4. D.state manual
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Answer: B constitution
31.
The grave effect of the French Colonial Policy of Assimilation in her West African Colonies was the
1. A.aggressive development of nationalism
2. B.shortfall in the essential needs of the colonies
3. C.slow pace in their political fortunes
4. D.waging war on neighbouring colonial territories
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Answer: C slow pace in their political fortunes
32.
The impartiality of the civil servants is important to the governance structure because they work for the interest of the
1. A.bureaucrat
2. B.executive
3. C.presidency
4. D.state
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Answer: D state
33.
The institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws is the
1. A.government
2. B.judiciary
3. C.political party
4. D.security agency
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Answer: A government
34.
The local government administration in many West African countries is faced with a myriad of problems one of which is
1. A.employment retention
2. B.illiterate traditional authorities
3. C.unavailability of land
4. D.weak institution
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Answer: A employment retention
35.
The media serve a useful purpose in a democracy by
1. A.connecting the government and the people
2. B.ensuring government plays to their dictates
3. C.assisting in the formation of political parties
4. D.manipulating political leaders in government
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Answer: A connecting the government and the people
36.
The perceived perennial problem of the United Nations (UN) since its inception is the
1. A.Directive Principles of State Policy
2. B.deep-seated diversity among member states
3. C.nature of political leaders and their ages
4. D.poor constitutional provisions of member states
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Answer: B deep-seated diversity among member states
37.
The responsibility of citizens towards nation-building is to
1. A.encourage civil disobedience in the face of hardship
2. B.participate and contribute to decision making
3. C.stampede government policies and programmes
4. D.boycott and withdraw services to the state
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Answer: B participate and contribute to decision making
38.
The surge in nationalism and its related activities was fueled by oppressive colonial experiences and
1. A.partition of West African territories
2. B.the strong desire for civilisation
3. C.ideology and activities of Pan-Africanism
4. D.monopoly of mineral resources and land degradation
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Answer: C ideology and activities of Pan-Africanism
39.
The ultimate source of power and authority which sets the state apart from other forms of political organisations is referred to as
1. A.constitutionalism
2. B.checks and balances
3. C.rule of law
4. D.sovereignty
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Answer: D sovereignty
40.
These rights which are explicitly protected by the Constitution are referred to as
1. A.checks and balances
2. B.constitutional clauses
3. C.entrenched clauses
4. D.separation of powers
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Answer: C entrenched clauses
41.
What encompasses a range of diplomatic, political, economic and security decisions and actions that a state embarks on to protect and promote sovereignty on the global stage? [ ]
1. A.equal distribution of wealth
2. B.governance and democracy
3. C.peace and security
4. D.social development
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Answer: B governance and democracy
42.
Which institution of state enables different groups and interests to be represented as well as actively participate in the political space?
1. A.Advocate Groups
2. B.Democracy
3. C.Judiciary
4. D.Political party
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Answer: D Political party
43.
Which one among the following factors greatly restrains the government in a democratic society?
1. A.Consent of the governed
2. B.Consent of the civil society organisation
3. C.Ideology of the party
4. D.Parliamentary debates
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Answer: A Consent of the governed
44.
Which one of the following cannot be considered as a factor that influences the delimitation of a country into constituencies?
1. A.administrative convenience
2. B.geographical proximity
3. C.historical experience
4. D.political socialisation
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Answer: D political socialisation
45.
Which one of the following factors has contributed largely to the weakened and poor performance of state institutions in most West African States?
1. A.corruption
2. B.globalisation
3. C.low remuneration and wages
4. D.weak institutional memory
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Answer: A corruption
46.
Which situation in a democratic state can create an environment where military intervention is perceived as the only option to restore order, protect the population or address grievances?
1. A.boycott of elections
2. B.economic crises
3. C.political crises
4. D.youth unemployent
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Answer: C political crises
47.
Which state institution is referred to as the bureaucratic wing responsible for the running of government offices, agencies and departments?
1. A.Bureau of National Affairs
2. B.Civil Service
3. C.Controller of state services
4. D.Public services board
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Answer: B Civil Service

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