WAEC Past Questions

WAEC Government 2021
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2021 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

An undesirable attribute of capitalism is mostly seen in

A. freedom of choice
B. exploitation of labour
C. efficient production of goods and services
D. effective utilization of labour
Explanation

Capitalism prioritizes profit maximization, often leading to exploitation of labour through low wages and poor working conditions to reduce costs and increase surplus value for owners.

2
Question 2 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

A constitution that requires an absolute majority of members of parliament to amend is a

A. confederal constitution
B. federal constitution
C. flexible constitution
D. rigid constitution
Explanation

A rigid constitution requires a special majority (more than a simple majority, often two-thirds or absolute) for amendments, making it difficult to change, unlike flexible constitutions amended by simple majority.

3
Question 3 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

What is the term given to the action of discontinuing a session of a parliament or other legislative assembly without dissolving?

A. Adjournment
B. Postponement
C. Prorogation
D. Recess
Explanation

Prorogation ends a parliamentary session temporarily without dissolving the assembly, unlike adjournment (short break) or dissolution (end of term).

4
Question 4 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

In a monocephalous executive system of government, all executive powers are vested in the

A. Chief Justice
B. President
C. Prime Minister
D. Speaker
Explanation

Monocephalous (one-headed) executive fuses powers in one person, the president, who is both head of state and government, as in presidential systems.

5
Question 5 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The action programme of a political party intended to be carried out when political power is won is known as

A. code of conduct
B. party constitution
C. party survey
D. manifesto
Explanation

A party manifesto outlines policies, promises, and programmes to be implemented if elected, serving as a blueprint for governance.

6
Question 6 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

What does the mass media rely on to gauge public opinion?

A. Influential citizens
B. Propaganda and interviews
C. Polls and surveys
D. Rumour and gossip
Explanation

Polls and surveys provide empirical data on public views, allowing media to reflect and influence opinion accurately, unlike unreliable sources like rumours.

7
Question 7 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Which of the following options is the role of a newspaper in a state?

A. Determines government appointments
B. Disseminates information
C. Ensures fairness in newspaper circulation
D. Ensures fair distribution of relief items
Explanation

Newspapers inform the public about events, policies, and issues, fostering awareness and accountability in governance.

8
Question 8 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The Civil Service helps the government to

A. recruit personnel for the army
B. develop and implement policies effectively
C. maintain instability in the state
D. stay in power for a long time
Explanation

The civil service provides expert, impartial advice and executes policies efficiently, ensuring continuity regardless of political changes.

9
Question 9 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

A citizen is barred from active politics when employed as a

A. University lecturer
B. priest
C. civil servant
D. journalist
Explanation

Civil servants must remain neutral and apolitical to serve impartially, so they are prohibited from partisan activities to avoid conflicts of interest.

10
Question 10 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Citizens' political participation is best practised under a

A. militant pressure group
B. neighbourhood vigilante group
C. cooperative society
D. political party
Explanation

Political parties provide structured platforms for citizens to contest elections, form governments, and influence policy through democratic processes.

11
Question 11 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The most important function of government is to ensure the

A. building of offices and houses
B. judiciary is well resourced
C. second arm of government is respected
D. security of the citizens
Explanation

Security (protection of life and property) is the primary social contract duty, enabling other functions like economic development and rights protection.

12
Question 12 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The right to an adequate standard of living falls under

A. civil right
B. economic right
C. free market economy
D. right to life
Explanation

Economic rights include access to food, shelter, and healthcare for a decent living standard, as per Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 25.

13
Question 13 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

People's political values are continuously shaped by the following agents except

A. education
B. family
C. media
D. ombudsman
Explanation

The ombudsman investigates complaints against officials but does not shape values; agents like family, education, and media socialize political attitudes.

14
Question 14 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

In which political system are there two levels of government with considerable devolution?

A. Capitalism
B. Federalism
C. Fascism
D. Unitarianism
Explanation

Federalism divides powers between central and regional governments, with devolution granting substantial autonomy to subunits.

15
Question 15 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

A system of government in which people elect their lawmakers and make them accountable for their actions and inactions in government is

A. a representative government
B. first-past-the-post government
C. an oligarchy government
D. checks and balances system of government
Explanation

Representative government involves electing delegates to legislate on behalf of citizens, with accountability through elections and oversight.

16
Question 16 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Which territories in British West Africa did the colonial government exercise limited jurisdiction?

A. Conquered states
B. Mandated territories
C. Protectorates
D. Trust territories
Explanation

Protectorates involved treaties with local rulers, limiting direct British jurisdiction to foreign affairs, unlike crown colonies with full control.

17
Question 17 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

One of the following French West African colonies was the first to gain independence

A. Benin
B. Burkina Faso
C. Guinea
D. Togo
Explanation

Guinea gained independence in 1958 after rejecting the French Community in a referendum led by Ahmed Sékou Touré, preceding others like Togo (1960).

18
Question 18 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The struggle by the chiefs and people of West Africa against political, social and economic dominance by European powers was referred to as

A. Imperialism
B. nationalism
C. neo-colonialism
D. liberation
Explanation

Nationalism was the anti-colonial movement seeking self-determination and independence from European domination in the 20th century.

19
Question 19 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The European imperialist penetration into West Africa was primarily motivated by the following considerations except

A. Compassion
B. economic
C. social
D. military
Explanation

Imperialism was driven by economic exploitation (resources/markets), strategic military bases, and 'civilizing' social missions, not genuine compassion.

20
Question 20 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Which policy made the colonized French West African partners with France in her colonial project?

A. Assimilation policy
B. Association policy
C. Indirect rule policy
D. Loi Cadre
Explanation

The Association policy (post-1914) treated Africans as associates in empire-building, granting limited rights unlike full equality under Assimilation.

21
Question 21 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The British colonial governor in West Africa wielded sweeping powers by virtue of

A. the land tenure system
B. drafting laws
C. tax collection
D. veto power
Explanation

The governor's veto power allowed rejection of legislative bills, ensuring ultimate executive control over colonial policy.

22
Question 22 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The action plan by African countries under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), aimed at tackling the following issues except

A. economic
B. political
C. religious
D. social
Explanation

NEPAD focuses on economic integration, political governance, and social development (e.g., health, education), but not religious issues.

23
Question 23 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

What motivated the adoption of Indirect Rule system by the British in her West African

A. Effective and efficient tax system was in place
B. Chiefs did not have the power to make laws
C. The desire to make laws
D. The need to project individuals above the state
Explanation

Indirect Rule utilized existing efficient traditional tax and administrative systems to minimize British administrative costs and personnel needs.

24
Question 24 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) was established primarily to

A. create a common currency for member countries
B. prevent neo-colonialism
C. sideline French West African countries in economic activities
D. promote economic growth and development among member states
Explanation

ECOWAS (1975) aims to foster economic cooperation, trade liberalization, and development among West African states for regional integration.

25
Question 25 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The media can best contribute to the democratic process of a country by

A. lobbying ministers to be in their good books
B. setting the agenda for good governance
C. inciting strikes and demonstrations
D. recounting the achievements of the government in power
Explanation

Agenda-setting by media highlights key issues, influencing public discourse and policy priorities for accountable governance.

26
Question 26 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Public corporations can deliver on their mandate if

A. incidence of corruption and mismanagement were dealt with
B. loans were secured to pay staff
C. politicians were members of the board
D. religious institutions pray for their success
Explanation

Addressing corruption and mismanagement ensures transparency, efficiency, and focus on public service delivery in public corporations.

27
Question 27 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Citizenship of a state is based on the following requirements except

A. birth
B. marriage
C. education
D. naturalization
Explanation

Citizenship is acquired by birth, marriage, descent, or naturalization/registration; education is not a criterion.

28
Question 28 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

One-party system encourages and often end up in

A. democracy
B. dictatorship
C. fair electoral contest
D. freedom of expression
Explanation

One-party systems limit political competition, often leading to authoritarianism and suppression of dissent.

29
Question 29 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Which of the following tools is not used by pressure groups to achieve their aim?

A. Boycotts
B. Demonstrations
C. Elections
D. Strikes
Explanation

Pressure groups influence policy through advocacy (boycotts, strikes, demos) but do not contest elections, unlike political parties.

30
Question 30 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Frequent military coup d'etats which topple elected governments negatively affect and stall

A. education
B. culture and religion
C. health
D. democratic gains
Explanation

Military coups disrupt democratic institutions, elections, and rule of law, stalling consolidation of democratic governance.

31
Question 31 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

How beneficial is delegated legislation to the democratic process? It

A. aids lawmakers to become experts in legislation
B. cannot be applied during period of crises
C. helps to discipline personnel in the civil service
D. permits handling of certain aspect of legislation by technocrats
Explanation

Delegated legislation allows experts (technocrats) in ministries to create detailed rules, easing legislative burden while maintaining parliamentary oversight.

32
Question 32 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Local government performs a number of functions on behalf of the central government in the form of

A. employing police officers
B. ensuring people attend religious institutions for prayers
C. mobilizing of resources for development
D. punishing opposition or dissent
Explanation

Local governments collect taxes, fees, and mobilize community resources for local development projects as agents of the central authority.

33
Question 33 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

In an environment of press freedom, the media play the role of

A. articulating views of individuals
B. inciting people to be lawless
C. projecting individuals above the state
D. highlighting only the activities of government
Explanation

Free press amplifies diverse voices, enabling public discourse and holding power accountable.

34
Question 34 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Chiefs under the Indirect Rule system were used to carry out unpopular tasks, one of which was

A. enforcement of Western education
B. establishment of churches
C. military conscription
D. presiding over native courts
Explanation

Chiefs enforced unpopular policies like conscription for World Wars, alienating them from subjects as proxies for colonial demands.

35
Question 35 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

In restoring peace and security to Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deployed a military force known as

A. Regional Armed Forces (RAF)
B. Peace Keeping Force of West Africa (PKFWA)
C. ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG)
D. ECOWAS Heads of State and Government
Explanation

ECOMOG intervened in Liberia (1990) and Sierra Leone (1997) to enforce ceasefires and restore stability under ECOWAS mandate.

36
Question 36 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

The desire for foreign investments and overseas market had behind many West African countries

A. educational policy
B. foreign policy
C. campaign tool
D. dream ideology
Explanation

Foreign policy guides economic diplomacy to attract investments and expand markets, aligning with national development goals.

37
Question 37 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Citizenship does not only go with rights but also the performance of

A. compulsory military service
B. compulsory teaching
C. certain obligations and duties
D. certain religious rites
Explanation

Citizenship entails rights (e.g., vote) and duties (e.g., obey laws, pay taxes) for societal cohesion.

38
Question 38 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Taking over power, military governments disregard democratic protocols and rule mainly by

A. decrees
B. popular acclamation
C. jury
D. court martial
Explanation

Military regimes issue decrees with legislative and judicial force, bypassing parliaments and constitutions.

39
Question 39 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Which electoral system best suit a heterogeneous political environment?

A. Non-transferable votes
B. Preferential ballot
C. Proportional representation
D. Run-off election
Explanation

Proportional representation allocates seats based on vote shares, ensuring minority groups in diverse societies are represented.

40
Question 40 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2021

Judicial review in a democratic environment is an aspect of

A. checks and balances
B. a check on the legislature
C. a check on the executive and the media
D. ensuring the police assist the judiciary in its work
Explanation

Judicial review empowers courts to invalidate unconstitutional acts, maintaining separation of powers and checks among branches.

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