WAEC Government 1999 Past Questions

Question 1

The essence of the constitution is to

A.safeguard the rights and freedom of the citizens
B.ensure tyranny and oppression of the masses
C.encourage military intervention in politics
D.suppress the views of the minority groups

Objective

Question 1

(a) Define democracy.

(b) What conditions are necessary for its successful operation? ?.

Theory

Question 2

In democracy, political sovereignty resides with the

A.Judiciary
B.Legislature
C.Electorate
D.President

Objective

Question 2

Explain the functions of the legislature in a modern state.

Theory

Question 3

The highest stage of socialism is

A.racism
B.fascism
C.communism
D.nazism

Objective

Question 3

Under what circumstances can the rights of the individual be restricted?

Theory

Question 4

Feudalism is a practice in which

A.the citizens have no political and social rights
B.hereditary landlords ruled peasants
C.political leadership is based on force
D.the social structure is stratified

Objective

Question 4

Why is delegated legislation necessary in modern governments?

Theory

Question 5

The rule of the privileged nobility is referred to as

A.plutocracy
B.monarcy
C.aristocracy
D.autocracy

Objective

Question 5

Highlight the conditions necessary for a free and fair election.

Theory

Question 6

The rights to freedom of speech means that people are free to

A.express anything they like about government
B.disobey the government of the day
C.express opinion within the limits of the law
D.participate in government

Objective

Question 6

How did the traditional rulers in the pre-colonial days control their subjects?

Theory

Question 7

A federal constitution is usually

A.flexible
B.unwritten
C.written and flexible
D.written and rigid

Objective

Question 7

(a) Why was the Policy of Association introduced in French West Africa?

(b) Describe the characteristics of the Policy.

Theory

Question 8

The end of each session of the legislature is called

A.dissolution
B.suspension
C.closure
D.prorogation

Objective

Question 8

What were the main features of the Independence Constitutions of the British West African countries?

Theory

Question 9

The political effect of the removal of the Prime Minister under a parliamentary system of government is

A.a general election
B.the suspension of the ministers
C.the suspension of the constitution
D.the dissolution of the court of law

Objective

Question 9

Give reasons for the military intervention in the politics of any one West African country.

Theory

Question 10

The Chief Executive in a parliamentary system of government is known as the

A.President
B.Speaker
C.Prime Minister
D.Governo-General

Objective

Question 10

Describe how a legislative council was controlled in British West Africa before the second world war.

Theory

Question 11

Which of the following is basic feature of the rule of law?

A.Equality before the law
B.Secret trial of offenders
C.Exective control of the Judiciary
D.Unlimited powers for the police

Objective

Question 11

Why was the Indirect Rule system criticized by the nationalists?

Theory

Question 12

Which of the following is usually expected to be entrenched in a constitution?

A.Ownership of landed property
B.Fundamental human rights
C.Electoral rules and regulations
D.Registration of political parties

Objective

Question 12

Outline four objectives of the foreign policy of any one West African country.

Theory

Question 13

One of the advantages of delegated legislation is that it

A.lessens the work of parliament
B.lessens the work of legal draftsmen
C.reduces the power of the local authority
D.makes parliament more popular with the pople

Objective

Question 14

Elections are held for the purpose of

A.strengtnening the powers of the political leaders
B.ensuring a peaceful change of government
C.creating more political parties
D.uniting the people of a country

Objective

Question 15

A multi-member constituency is one in which

A.two or more parties are allowed to contest elections
B.franchise is restricted
C.the electorate is entitled to vote only once
D.two or more representatives are elected from one constituency

Objective

Question 16

In a democracy which of the following can exert appreciable control on the activities of the Executive?

A.Military
B.Legislature
C.Traditional Rulers
D.Police

Objective

Question 17

Universal Adult Suffrage is an dispensable factor in the practice of

A.constitutionalism
B.socialism
C.democracy
D.oligarchy

Objective

Question 18

In federations, concurrent list of powers is usually given to the

A.federal government
B.regional units
C.central authority and regional units
D.regional units and local authorities

Objective

Question 19

In the Organizational structure of a mass political party, the policy making body is the

A.Secretary General of the party
B.National Executive Committee
C.National Chairman
D.Parliamentary Committee of the party

Objective

Question 20

Judicial review means the process by which

A.judges review past court decisions and judgements
B.the court determine the constitutionality of the actions of rulers
C.judiccial precedents are implemented
D.the court settles disputes between citizens and government

Objective

Question 21

Which of the following controls government expenditure ?

A.The Courts
B.The Police
C.The Treasury
D.The Public

Objective

Question 22

One -party system of government may lead to

A.stateless society
B.autocracy
C.liberal democracy
D.oligarchy

Objective

Question 23

A cardinal feature of a rigid constitution is that it

A.can only be amended by the Judiciary
B.requires the votes of the electorate for its amendment
C.requires 2/3 majority for its amendment
D.requires of special procedure for its amendment

Objective

Question 24

The life of the legislature comes to an end during

A.prorogation
B.adjournment
C.dissolution
D.the end of a session

Objective

Question 25

A feature of democratic government is that it is

A.authoriatarian and totalitarian
B.brutal and repressive
C.firm and disciplined
D.representative and accountable

Objective

Question 26

According to Marxism, those who own and control productive resources in a capitalist state are

A.unionist
B.workers
C.exploiters
D.managers

Objective

Question 27

According to Marxism, those who own and control productive resources in a capitalist state are

A.unionist
B.workers
C.exploiters
D.managers

Objective

Question 28

According to Marxism, those who own and control productive resources in a capitalist state are

A.unionist
B.workers
C.exploiters
D.managers

Objective

Question 29

According to Marxism, those who own and control productive resources in a capitalist state are

A.unionist
B.workers
C.exploiters
D.managers

Objective

Question 30

A foreigner can be a citizen of another state by

A.immigration
B.naturalization
C.nationalization
D.indigenization

Objective

Question 31

Local government laws are known as

A.decrees
B.acts
C.bye-laws
D.orders

Objective

Question 32

The passing of a vote-of-no-confidence is a method of removing the Executive in a

A.parliamentary system of government
B.military system government
C.presidential system of government
D.confederal system of government

Objective

Question 33

The major function of an electoral commission is to

A.appoint members of the judiciary
B.appoint the staff of local government
C.announce the dissolution of the assembly
D.make arrangements for the conduct of elections

Objective

Question 34

Free and fair election can exist where there is

A.double voting
B.secret balloting
C.referendum
D.plebiscite

Objective

Question 35

An election, held to resolve important political question facing a country is called

A.referendum
B.bye-election
C.general election
D.primary election

Objective

Question 36

The main objective of pressure groups is to

A.influence the public
B.influence government decisions
C.organize strikes and demonstrations
D.criticize the government

Objective

Question 37

Public opinion enables the government to

A.find out what the people think about its activities
B.organize political conferences and solidarity rallies
C.punish political opponents
D.employ more workers

Objective

Question 38

A major weakness of one-party system is that it

A.does not aggregate public opinion
B.negates th principle of one man one vote
C.ensures freedom of political choice
D.encourages dictatorship

Objective