All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Government 2016 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
1. Government refers to all the following except A. According to Charles Montesquieu, the theory of separation of powers is to prevent arbitrariness B. Decentralization is a common feature C. legislative, executive and judicial power. D. a process of making and enforce laws
A. a body of people that formulates policiesCorrect
B. the theory of separation of powers
C. decentralization
D. a process of making and enforcing laws
Explanation
Government is an academic field of study, an art or process of governing, an institution of the state, a body of people that formulates policies etc but it is not made of people with common interest.
3. Government as an academic field of study include the following except A. Ecological interaction B. Public administration C. political theory D. comparative politics, international relations
A. Ecological interactionCorrect
B. Public administration
C. political theory
D. comparative politics, international relations
Explanation
Government as an academic field of study includes: Public administration, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, etc. Ecological interaction is not a branch of government as an academic field of study.
4. Fascism is A. a democratic system of government B. an authoritarian and totalitarian form of government practiced in Italy by Benito Mussolini between 1922 and 1943
A. a democratic system of government
B. an authoritarian and totalitarian form of government practiced in Italy by Benito Mussolini between 1922 and 1943Correct
C. a form of parliamentary government
D. a form of confederal government
Explanation
Fascism is an authoritarian and totalitarian form of government practiced in Italy by Benito Mussolini between 1922 and 1943.
5. A democratic system of government A. allows all qualified citizens to participate in the government of the country
A. allows all qualified citizens to participate in the government of the countryCorrect
B. is ruled by one party only
C. excludes the opposition
D. is not accountable to the people
Explanation
A democratic system of government allows all qualified citizens to participate in the government of the country. It ensures the existence of a multi-party system which gives room for the opposition to always participate in government.
6. Which of the following can hinder the workings of a representative government? A. Mass illiteracy
A. Mass illiteracyCorrect
B. Free press
C. Independent judiciary
D. Regular elections
Explanation
Mass illiteracy, that is the inability of a lot of people to read and write, in fact low education among majority of the citizens, can hinder the workings of a representative government.
7. A state does not necessarily have a common language, e.g. Nigeria is a state with more than 200 languages. However, common language is a feature of A. a nation
A. a nationCorrect
B. a state
C. a government
D. a country
Explanation
A state does not necessarily have a common language; Nigeria is a state with more than 200 languages. However, common language is a feature of a nation.
8. Democracy is a form of government that recognizes the importance of the people in the running of the affairs of the state. Indeed, the existence of any government in a democracy is based on the consent of the people, hence, political sovereignty is vested in the A. people, B. judges C. B. public D. minister
A. peopleCorrect
B. judges
C. public
D. minister
Explanation
Democracy is a form of government that recognizes the importance of the people in the running of the affairs of the state; political sovereignty is vested in the people or more specifically, the electorate.
9. Montesquieu popularized the theory of separation of powers in 1748 in the book The Spirit of Laws, where he argued that the existence of separation of powers would prevent arbitrariness in government and promote individual liberty. A. According to Charles Montesquieu
A. According to Charles MontesquieuCorrect
B. legislature, executive and judiciary
C. B. philosophers
D. D. Aristotle
Explanation
Montesquieu popularized the theory of separation of powers in 1748 in the book The Spirit of Laws, where he argued that separation of powers would prevent arbitrariness in government and promote individual liberty.
10. Decentralization is the transfer of functions and responsibilities from a central/higher authority to lower level of government. It is common in a federal system of government. A. B
A. transfer of functions from a central authority to lower levels
B. concentration of power at the centreCorrect
C. abolition of local government
D. military rule
Explanation
Decentralization is the transfer of functions and responsibilities from a central/higher authority to lower level of government. It is common in a federal system of government.
13. An unwritten constitution is that constitution where the basic laws of the state are not codified in a single document but found in various documents and also based on the use of conventions/customs. C
A. a rigid constitution
B. a written constitution
C. an unwritten constitutionCorrect
D. a flexible constitution
Explanation
An unwritten constitution is that constitution where the basic laws of the state are not codified in a single document but found in various documents and also based on the use of conventions/customs.
14. A flexible constitution is not difficult to amend; it can be amended by just a simple majority of members of the legislature. An advantage to this is that it is suitable for emergency periods. D
A. a rigid constitution
B. an unwritten constitution
C. a written constitution
D. a flexible constitutionCorrect
Explanation
A flexible constitution is not difficult to amend, it can be amended by just a simple majority of members of the legislature. An advantage to this is that it is suitable for emergency periods.
19. A unitary system of government is where the political powers of the state are vested in a single central authority. One of the defining features of a unitary state is centralization of power. A
A. a unitary system of governmentCorrect
B. a federal system of government
C. a confederal system of government
D. a parliamentary system of government
Explanation
A unitary system of government is where the political powers of the state are vested in a single central authority. One of the defining features of a unitary state is centralization of power.
20. An absolute monarch is not elected by the people but assumes the throne through a hereditary line of succession. An absolute monarch wields the supreme power of the state. D
A. a constitutional monarch
B. a limited monarch
C. a ceremonial monarch
D. an absolute monarchCorrect
Explanation
An absolute monarch is not elected by the people but assumes the throne through a hereditary line of succession. An absolute monarch wields the supreme power of the state.
21. A cabinet system of government is also called parliamentary system of government. Its features include: Collective responsibility, existence of a shadow cabinet, recognition of the opposition, vote of no confidence, fusion of powers etc. A
A. a cabinet system of governmentCorrect
B. a presidential system of government
C. a confederal system of government
D. a unitary system of government
Explanation
A cabinet system of government is also called parliamentary system of government; its features include collective responsibility, existence of a shadow cabinet, recognition of the opposition, vote of no confidence, fusion of powers, etc.
22. Homogeneity, a situation where the people of a country have the same culture, language, etc, is not a condition for the adoption of federalism, in fact, federal states are usually heterogeneous. D
A. a unitary state
B. a confederal state
C. a homogeneous state
D. federalismCorrect
Explanation
Homogeneity, a situation where the people of a country have the same culture, language etc, is not a condition for the adoption of federalism; in fact, federal states are usually heterogeneous.
24. A political party with a broad-based membership, that is, whose members spread across different parts of the country, can win a widely accepted election. C
A. a sectional party
B. a regional party
C. a political party with a broad-based membershipCorrect
D. a pressure group
Explanation
A political party with a broad-based membership, that is, whose members spread across different parts of the country, can win a widely accepted election.
28. A pressure group pursues specific and narrow objectives, that is, issues that only affect their members and not the general public, hence membership is limited to those who share these common bond together. B
A. a political party
B. a pressure groupCorrect
C. the electorate
D. the judiciary
Explanation
A pressure group pursues specific and narrow objectives, that is, issues that only affect their members and not the general public, hence membership is limited to those who share these common bond together.
34. Anonymity of civil servants implies that they are not praised or blamed for any policy or programme of the government. Other characteristics of civil service include: non-partisanship, merit based recruitment, permanence, neutrality etc. C
A. Anonymity
B. Partisanship
C. PoliticizationCorrect
D. Instability
Explanation
Anonymity of civil servants implies that they are not praised or blamed for any policy or programme of the government.
35. The civil service's primary responsibility is to the implementation of the policies and programmes of the government. Enactment of laws is done by the legislature, appointment of ministers is done by the President, while settlement of disputes is done by the judiciary. D
A. the legislature
B. the president
C. the judiciary
D. the implementation of policies and programmesCorrect
Explanation
The civil service's primary responsibility is the implementation of the policies and programmes of the government. Enactment of laws is done by the legislature, appointment of ministers is done by the President, while settlement of disputes is done by the judiciary.
36. Public corporations are established through an act of parliament for the purpose of providing essential services to the people at a reduced cost. D
A. to make profit for shareholders
B. for private ownership
C. for foreign investment
D. to provide essential services at a reduced costCorrect
Explanation
Public corporations are established through an act of parliament for the purpose of providing essential services to the people at a reduced cost.
38. Local government is the government at the grassroots, the main purpose for creating local government is to bring government closer to the people. B
A. the federal government
B. local governmentCorrect
C. the state government
D. the judiciary
Explanation
Local government is the government at the grassroots; the main purpose for creating local government is to bring government closer to the people.
39. Checks and balances is where each of the three arms of government check one another to ensure compliance with laid down rules and regulation. In the Yoruba traditional system for example, the council of chiefs (Oyo-mesi) performed the role of check over the king. D
A. Separation of powers
B. Fusion of powers
C. Checks and balances
D. Rule of lawCorrect
Explanation
Checks and balances is where each of the three arms of government check one another to ensure compliance with laid down rules and regulation. In the Yoruba traditional system, the council of chiefs (Oyo-mesi) performed the role of check over the king.
41. At the inception of French colonialism in West Africa, the policy of assimilation was adopted but later replaced with the policy of association after the second war. B
A. Indirect rule
B. AssimilationCorrect
C. Direct rule
D. Federalism
Explanation
At the inception of French colonialism in West Africa, the policy of assimilation was adopted but later replaced with the policy of association after the second war.
42. After its conference in Accra, Ghana in 1920, the National Congress of British West Africa made some demands on the British colonialist part of which was that Africans should be responsible for the appointment and deposition of their traditional rulers. B
A. Lagos, Nigeria
B. Accra, GhanaCorrect
C. Freetown, Sierra Leone
D. Banjul, Gambia
Explanation
After its conference in Accra, Ghana in 1920, the National Congress of British West Africa made some demands on the British colonialist including that Africans should be responsible for the appointment and deposition of their traditional rulers.
43. The increasing agitation of the people for political independence from the colonialists was responsible mainly for constitutional development in British West Africa. D
A. Economic hardship
B. Religious differences
C. Ethnic rivalry
D. The increasing agitation of the people for political independenceCorrect
Explanation
The increasing agitation of the people for political independence from the colonialists was responsible mainly for constitutional development in British West Africa.
48. A pre-colonial West African government was democratic because of the existence of powerful traditions (rulers, age grades, religious institutions, checks and balances).
A. powerful traditions, rulers, age grades, religious institutions and checks and balances
B. military might alone
C. foreign influence only
D. absence of any institutions
Explanation
Pre-colonial West African governments were democratic because of the existence of powerful traditions (rulers, age grades, religious institutions, checks and balances).