All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Government 2017 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
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1. Government is defined as an agency established to manage the affairs of
Government is defined as an agency established to manage the affairs of the state.
2. A function of government is to
A function of government is making laws.
3. Government maintains law and order through the following except
Government maintains law and order through the following except the legislature (which makes law, but law and order enforcement is via police, immigration, prison service).
4. According to Karl Max, socialism developed as a consequence of the evils of
According to Karl Max, socialism developed as a consequence of the evils of capitalism.
5. A system of government which is based on public ownership of means of production and distribution is called
Socialism is a system of government which is based on public ownership of means of production and distribution.
6. Which of the following is not a feature of a state?
Mass Media is not a feature of a state. Features of a state are: population, government, territory, permanence, sovereignty and diplomatic recognition.
7. Acceptability of the government in power by the governed is known as
Legitimacy is the acceptance and recognition conferred on a government or ruler by the generality of the citizens of the country.
8. For democracy to be sustained in a country, it needs a
A successful democracy requires a well-informed electorate to function well. Electorate refers to those who are qualified to vote in a country.
9. Which of the following agents can be considered as the most effective agent of political socialization?
The family is regarded as the most effective agent of political socialization, since it is the earliest and most consistent influence on an individual's political attitudes and values.
10. The statement 'from each according to his/her ability and to each according to his/her need' best describes the guiding principle of
The guiding principle of communism is 'from each according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her needs'.
11. Which of the following countries practiced totalitarianism?
Germany (under Adolf Hitler), Russia (USSR under Joseph Stalin), Italy (under Benito Mussolini) and Japan (between 1937 and 1945) were regarded as totalitarian states.
12. The theory of separation of powers was propounded by
Montesquieu popularized the theory of separation of powers in his book 'The Spirit of the laws' published in 1748.
13. The principle of checks and balances is important because it
Checks and balances allow each organ of government to check the others thus helping to prevent one organ from being dictatorial.
14. An agreed set of regulations, conventions and customs by which a country or an organization is governed is the
Constitution refers to the body of laws, principles, conventions etc through which a state is governed.
15. A constitution is considered to be flexible if it
A flexible constitution does not require a difficult amendment procedure. It can be amended through a simple majority.
16. The body responsible for the implementation of law is the
The executive implement laws made by the legislature and subsequently interpreted by the judiciary.
17. Bicameralism is necessary in a federal state to demonstrate that the
The whole essence of bicameralism in a federal state is to ensure the equal representation of the federating units.
18. Which of the following strengthens the power of the Supreme Court against the executive and the legislature?
Judicial review is when the courts can invalidate the actions of the other organs of government by declaring those actions as unconstitutional.
19. In the United States of America, the legislature is called the
In the United States, the legislature is called the Congress.
20. In a constitutional monarchy, the king or queen is referred to as a
In a constitutional monarchy, the king/queen is the ceremonial head who does not possess executive/absolute powers.
21. A corrupt judicial system erodes the observance of
A corrupt judicial system erodes the observance of the rule of law.
22. Which system of government has fusion of ceremonial and executive functions as a feature?
In a presidential system of government, the ceremonial and executive functions of the state are fused and performed by an individual known as the executive president.
23. One duty of a good citizen is
One duty of a good citizen is respect of the dignity and rights of others.
24. The rights of citizens to benefit from public utility is classified as
The right to enjoy public amenities provided by the government without discrimination is a social right.
25. Which of the following is fundamental rights? Rights to a life
Fundamental human rights are those inalienable or natural rights that an individual enjoy and which cannot be deprived except through a legal process. They include: right to life, right to personal liberty, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, freedom of religion etc.
26. The political party whose membership comprises people of high social status is called
An elite party is that party where membership is limited to the people with high social standing in the society, in others words, its membership is not open to everybody in the society.
27. A political party is significant because it
The major objective of political parties is to capture political power and control the machinery of government.
28. A political system in which there is only one legalized political party is called
A de-jure one party system is when only one political party is recognized by law in a state. While a de-facto one party system, also known as one dominant/hegemonic party, is where there are other parties recognized by law but only one party has been able to win elections and control the government of the state for a long period of time.
29. Provision of political education through rallies and newspapers is a function of
Provision of political education through rallies and newspapers is a function of political parties.
30. Which of the following is not a method used by pressure groups to achieve their objectives?
Pressure groups do not contest for political positions (unlike political parties).
31. A 'Yes' or 'No' vote on a specific political issue in a country is called
A referendum is a vote in which the consent of the public is sought on an important political or constitutional issue.
32. An effective way of strengthening societal institutions through the expression of
Public opinion is an effective way of strengthening societal institutions through the expression of public opinion.
33. The electoral system in which the winner should have more than all the votes of all the other contestants put together is called
Absolute majority is the electoral system where the winner is required to score more than 50% of the total votes cast in the election, that is, for a candidate to be declared winner, he/she must poll a total votes that is more than the votes of other candidates combined.
34. Which of the following is a civil/public servant?
Clerk of the house is a civil/public servant (a permanent staff role, unlike the elected/political positions in the other options).
35. Which of the following statements about public corporation is not true?
Public corporations are financed by the government, not mainly by private individuals.
36. Local governments are vital in modern politics as they
Local government brings the government closer to the people at the local level and also provide the platform for leadership training and recruitment.
37. In the pro-colonial era, the breaking of an oath by chief could lead to a war with his neighbours
In the pro-colonial era, the breaking of an oath by chief could lead to a war with his neighbours.
38. One feature of pre-independence constitutions in West Africa is the
Pre-independence constitutions in West Africa provided for the establishment of legislative and executive councils.
39. The excessive power of the traditional rulers in pre-colonial era could be checked by
The excessive power of the traditional rulers in pre-colonial era could be checked by the priests.
40. The Secretary of a State for the colonies was responsible for
The Secretary of State for the colonies was responsible for the supervision of British colonies, hence he initiated colonial policies.
41. The crown colonies in the British West Africa were administered through
Crown colonies were seen as British property and administered directly.
42. Colonial administration in West Africa was as a result of
The search for raw material for European industries as well as markets for the finished products produced in those industries were responsible for colonialism.
43. Policy of assimilation was successfully operated by the French in
The policy of assimilation was operated in four communes of St. Louis, Goree, Dakar and Rufisque.
44. The post-Second World War nationalism in West Africa was characterized by
The post-Second World War nationalism in West Africa was characterized by increased agitation.
45. One of the defects associated with most pre-independence constitutions in British West Africa was
The governor had veto and reserved powers which made his rule like an autocratic ruler.
46. In a military regime, the arms of government that are usually fused are
In a military government, the same body that promulgate decrees (makes laws) is also the body that enforces the law (legislature and executive functions fused).
47. A military intervention into the politics of a state involves
A military intervention into the politics of a state involves the seizure of power from a legitimate government by the armed forces.
48. A major merit of a country's foreign policy is that it
A major merit of a country's foreign policy is that it promotes country's national interest.
49. One primary objective of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) is to
NEPAD was established in 2001 as an economic development instrument of AU and part of its objectives is the eradication of poverty on the continent.
50. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was formally established in Lagos on
ECOWAS was formally established in Lagos on May 28, 1975.
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