WAEC Government 2012 Past Questions

Question 1

The study of government is important because it

A.directs people's attention to development of non-state institutions
B.enables citizens to understand the processes for managing state affairs
C.encourages individuals to take decisions that satisfy their aspirations
D.encourages the elite to remain in power

Objective

Question 1

Highlight six characteristics of a democratic government.

Theory

Question 2

A system of government where political powers are inherited is called

A.monarchy
B.diarchy
C.democracy
D.aristocracy

Objective

Question 2

(a) What is independence of the judiciary?

(b) State three reasons for the independence of the judiciary

Theory

Question 3

Democracy can be promoted through

A.genymandering
B.slander
C.accountability
D.lobbying

Objective

Question 3

Give three functions and three limitations of the legislature.

Theory

Question 4

The ability to command obedience is called

A.authority
B.influence
C.legitimacy
D.mobilization

Objective

Question 4

Identify six merits of pressure groups in a democratic state

Theory

Question 5

Legitimacy is determined mainly by

A.charisma
B.influence
C.acceptance
D.desire

Objective

Question 5

(a) What is civil service?

(b) Explain the structure of the civil service.

Theory

Question 6

Which of the following is a feature of democracy?

A.Majority rule
B.Election by selected adults
C.Quick decision making
D.Rule by wealth men

Objective

Question 6

Identify any six features of the igbo traditional societies.

Theory

Question 7

Which of the following is a source of political power?

A.Gerrymandering
B.Election
C.filibuster
D.Immunity

Objective

Question 7

(a) Define nationalism.

(b) state any five external factors that aided the growth of nationalism in West Africa.

Theory

Question 8

Laws made by the legislative bodies are called

A.judiciary review
B.statutory laws
C.criminal laws
D.case law

Objective

Question 8

Identify any four features of the policy of indirect rule in West Africa.

Theory

Question 9

Delegated legislation is unpopular because it

A.quickens the lawmaking process
B.receives wide publicity
C.is not made by the legislature
D.calters for emergency situations

Objective

Question 9

Identify six features of the macpherson constitution of 1951

Theory

Question 10

Political socialization begins from

A.adulthood
B.childhood
C.old age
D.manhood

Objective

Question 10

(a) Describe the formation of the Nigeria National Alliance (NNA) of 1964

(b) Highlight five achievements of the alliance

Theory

Question 11

A.V.Dicey popularized the principle of

A.rule of law
B.democracy
C.political culture
D.separation of powers

Objective

Question 11

Identify any six factors affecting Nigeria foreign policy.

Theory

Question 12

Which of the following is the lowest in the hierarchy of feudal system?

A.Kinights
B.Serfs
C.Nobles
D.Lords

Objective

Question 12

Identify any six problems facing the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS)

Theory

Question 13

The ratification of major executive decisions by the legislature is in line with the application of

A.separation of powers
B.rule of law
C.checks and balances
D.fusion of powers

Objective

Question 14

In which of the following political systems is rule of law most enhanced?

A.Cabinet system
B.Feudal system
C.Fascist system
D.Communist system

Objective

Question 15

A constitution is the

A.written document of traditional practices
B.functional aspect of government activities
C.supreme document of the government
D.fundamental laws of the land

Objective

Question 16

A constitution is important because it

A.teaches moral values of the society
B.prescribes rules for those who govern
C.serves as a source of conflict in society
D.describes the laws and admonishes obedience

Objective

Question 17

Which of the following cannot be found in a constitution?

A.Fundamental Human Rights
B.Manifestoes of political parties
C.Organs of government
D.Duties and obligations of citizens

Objective

Question 18

A rigid constitution is a feature of

A.unitary system
B.monarchical system
C.confederal system
D.federal system

Objective

Question 19

In a parliamentary system the executive is weak because it is

A.accountable to parliament
B.responsible for its own actions
C.headed by a prime minister
D.the head of state that controls the government

Objective

Question 20

An advantage of a confederation over a federation is that the component units

A.have the right to secede
B.share resources equally
C.are politically stable
D.co-operate fully with the centre

Objective

Question 21

Confederalism was once practised in

A.Nigeria and Ghana
B.Senegal and The Gambia
C.Mali and Cole d'lvoire
D.Ghana and Benin

Objective

Question 22

Which of the following acts as a check on the Executive in the control of the finances of a state? The

A.judiciary
B.civil service
C.press
D.legislature

Objective

Question 23

In legislature, carpel-crossing means

A.make rules
B.formulate decisions
C.arrest offenders
D.adjudicate cases

Objective

Question 24

The responsibility of the judiciary is to

A.make rules
B.formulate decisions
C.arrest offenders
D.adjudicate cases

Objective

Question 25

One of the limitations on freedom of speech is

A.libel
B.trespassing
C.bye-laws
D.unlawful defention

Objective

Question 26

A citizen's duties do not include

A.defending the nation
B.obeying the laws
C.paying taxes
D.giving alms to the poor

Objective

Question 27

One-party system leads to

A.dictatorship
B.democracy
C.diarchy
D.theocracy

Objective

Question 28

In a democratic state the party system that usually operates is

A.Mass pathy
B.multi-party
C.one-party
D.elite party

Objective

Question 29

The coming together of two or more political parties to from a government is

A.coalition
B.merger
C.unification
D.co-operation

Objective

Question 30

Universal Adult Suffrage is associated with a

A.democratic governmnet
B.political culture
C.public accountabilty
D.political socialization

Objective

Question 31

A major advantage of the Secret Ballot System of voting is that

A.it is faster than other systems
B.it ensures the anonymity of the voter
C.it extends the franchise to all adults
D.nobody can be prevented from voting

Objective

Question 32

The 'first-past-the-post system of voting is also called

A.second ballot system
B.proportional representation
C.simple majority system
D.alternative vote system

Objective

Question 33

Restricted franchise violates the idea of

A.political equality
B.political culture
C.public accountability
D.political socialization

Objective

Question 34

Which of the following can aid in the formation of public opinion?

A.Order-in-council
B.free press
C.Existence of one party system
D.Existence of pree censorship

Objective

Question 35

The civil service is an institution for

A.carrying out private organization goals
B.effecting civil society policies
C.formulating and executing public policies
D.intiating bureaucratic private agenda

Objective

Question 36

The recruitment of personnel into civil service by the public/civil service commission prevents

A.political patronage
B.bribery and corruption
C.overstaffing
D.bureaucracy

Objective

Question 37

Whlch of following manages a public corporation?

A.Chambers of Commerce
B.Board of Directors
C.An Accountant-General
D.An Auditor-General

Objective

Question 38

Local governments are essential because they

A.encourage division in a country
B.implement government policies at national levels
C.make laws for a nation
D.train local people in the art of governing

Objective