WAEC Past Questions

WAEC Government 2022
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2022 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Which political system allows only one ideology for the state?

A. socialism
B. aristocracy
C. communalism
D. capitalism
Explanation

Socialism as a political and economic ideology advocates state ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange. In a socialist state, only one political party is allowed to exist, that is, a socialist state is always a one-party state. Examples are China, North Korea, Cuba etc.

2
Question 2 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

In a representative government citizens exercise their political power

A. directly
B. indirectly
C. in reverence for the political system
D. under undue political pressure
Explanation

A representative government is a form of government where the people are governed through elected representatives. In other words, people exercise their political power and participate in the government indirectly through their representatives in government. All modern democracies are examples of a representative government.

3
Question 3 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The essence of the concept of devolution is to cater for the interest of the

A. ruling government
B. majority
C. minority
D. rule of law
Explanation

Devolution involves the transfer of governmental powers, functions and responsibilities to lower levels of government. The essence of devolution is to ensure that every shade of interests is catered for, especially minority groups.

4
Question 4 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

A country's constitution may be derived from which one of the following sources?

A. educated elites
B. civil society organizations
C. civil disobedience
D. customs and conventions
Explanation

A constitution refers to the rules, regulations, principles and laws through which a state is governed. Sources of a country’s constitution include: Constitutional conferences, judicial precedent, legislative enactments, customs and convention etc.

5
Question 5 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

One major problem associated with the cabinet system of government is the

A. abuse of power
B. frequent change of government
C. large number of ministers
D. supremacy of the executive
Explanation

In a cabinet or parliamentary system of government, there is high tendency of frequent change of government especially when the government is formed by a coalition of different political parties.

6
Question 6 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Representative governments around the world pay attention to public opinion because of the following factors except

A. protection of the government from media scrutiny
B. indication of government in good standing with the people
C. provision of feedback on policies
D. national security concerns
Explanation

Public opinion refers to the aggregate views of the majority of the citizens on a specific policy or programme of the government. Public opinion provides direction for government policies, provides feedback on the implementation of programs, etc. It is not meant to shield the government from the scrutiny of the media.

7
Question 7 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The determination and execution of government policies is the core function of the

A. Public Complain Commission
B. Public Service Commission
C. civil service
D. Judicial Service
Explanation

The Civil Service is the agency of government responsible for the execution/implementation of the policies and programmes of the government.

8
Question 8 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Public corporation has a legal personality which means that

A. no legal suit can be brought against it
B. it can sue and be sued
C. it has ultimate power to make its own laws
D. there is a legal department that represents it
Explanation

A public corporation is established by an Act of Parliament to provide essential services to the people at a reduced cost. By virtue of law, a public corporation is a legal entity that can sue and be sued.

9
Question 9 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Local government authorities may not receive cooperation from the local people due to the issue of

A. top bottom approach to development
B. accessibility to internet facilities
C. lack of support for the ruling government
D. non availability of spiritual centres
Explanation

Local governments often face challenges in gaining community support due to perceived lack of alignment with local needs or political affiliations, leading to resistance against initiatives.

10
Question 10 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Delegated legislation can be controlled by

A. report writing
B. press conferences
C. parliamentary question time
D. threat of secession
Explanation

Delegated legislation refers to laws made by non-legislative bodies. Delegated legislation can be controlled through: parliamentary control, Judicial control, etc.

11
Question 11 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

A one party system imposed by law with all other parties proscribed is

A. a socialist party system
B. a de jure one party system
C. a communist political system
D. an elitist party system
Explanation

A de jure one-party system is legally enforced by the state, prohibiting other parties, often in socialist or communist regimes to maintain ideological uniformity.

12
Question 12 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Multi-party system is saddled with the problem of

A. divisiveness
B. limited choice
C. weak opposition
D. political consciousness
Explanation

Multi-party system is where there are more than two political parties with nearly equal strength in a country. In a multi-party system, citizens are fragmented into different political parties thereby breeding division/divisiveness among the people.

13
Question 13 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

One of the importance of voting in a democracy is that, it

A. is less expensive
B. ensures development for all voters
C. commits citizens in the political system
D. ensures winner takes all policy
Explanation

Voting at elections affords the people to take part in the political decision-making process of their state though indirectly.

14
Question 14 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

An electoral system in which the electorate elects a small group of people who in turn elects political office holders is known as

A. general election
B. second ballot system
C. electoral college
D. local election
Explanation

An electoral college is used in indirect election.

15
Question 15 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Most pressure groups especially in West Africa fail to achieve their goals as a result of

A. good governance
B. charisma of the president
C. transparency of the legislative
D. corrupt leadership
Explanation

Pressure groups are groups that seek to influence government policies in the interest of their members. One of the problems confronting pressure groups is the corrupt tendencies of their leaders.

16
Question 16 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

A pressure group which resorts to violence as a means of pressing home its demands is described as

A. anomic
B. associational
C. labour agitation
D. attitudinal
Explanation

An anomic pressure group lacks structure, leadership and organization and often resorts to violence to achieve its objectives.

17
Question 17 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Press control is necessary for a state particularly in the area of

A. the economy
B. auditor general's report
C. state security and secrets
D. foreign trade
Explanation

Press control is necessary in order to prevent the leakage of some classified information that can affect the security of the state.

18
Question 18 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The media helps to enrich discourse on national issues through its

A. marketing
B. editorial comments
C. sales and advertisement
D. correspondents
Explanation

Editorial comments are written by newspapers on a specific subject matter that has to do with socio-political issues in the country.

19
Question 19 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Information dissemination and communication in a political environment had been made faster and easier with the advent of

A. educated practitioners
B. press censorship
C. government spokesmen
D. social media
Explanation

The advent of social media has made the transmission of messages and information faster especially through the various social media platforms such as: YouTube, Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter etc.

20
Question 20 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The passing of laws by an arm of government to regulate society is the function of the

A. judiciary
B. executive
C. legislative
D. police
Explanation

Law-making is the core function of the legislature.

21
Question 21 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Militant nationalism in British West Africa after World War II sought to

A. kill British nationals
B. overthrow colonialism
C. stop the export of raw materials
D. stop the denigration of the African culture
Explanation

After the Second World War (1939-1945) the focus of the nationalist struggles was to dislodge colonialism and gain political independence.

22
Question 22 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Proto-nationalism was a movement limited to the demands for

A. immediate end to colonialism
B. reforms of the political class and respect for African religion
C. western education
D. social amenities and political participation
Explanation

Proto-nationalism focused on gradual reforms, seeking social amenities like infrastructure and increased political participation for Africans within the colonial framework.

23
Question 23 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The youth movements across British West African territories serves as a spring board for the formation of

A. militant groups to fight and kill British officials
B. political parties to champion the course of self-rule
C. committees to represent the people
D. associations in pursuit of justice for the people
Explanation

An example of such youth movement was the Lagos Youth Movement which metamorphosed into the Nigerian Youth Movement in 1936.

24
Question 24 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

A country's foreign policy is foremost driven by

A. economy
B. location
C. natural resources
D. national interest
Explanation

Foreign policy refers to the underlying factors that guide a country’s interaction with its external environment, that is, other countries and international organisations. A country’s foreign policy is largely influenced by the country’s national interest.

25
Question 25 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The first inter-territorial political movement organized in the 1920s which sought to bring all the British West African territories together to fight the colonial establishment was the

A. Aborigines Right Protection Society
B. West African Youth League
C. National Congress of British West African
D. West African Students Union
Explanation

National Congress of British West Africa, founded in 1920 by Casely Hayford was the first of its kind to bring educated elite from British West Africa colonies of Gold Coast (Ghana), Nigeria, Sierra-Leone together to project a common front against the colonial government.

26
Question 26 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The African Union is unable to play its role on the global political scene very well due to the

A. inadequate system of education bequeathed by the colonialist
B. low level of wages in the member countries
C. outbreak of pandemic on the African continent
D. divided loyalty among member states
Explanation

One of the problems confronting the African Union is the divided loyalty of member-states. Some states are still loyal to their former colonial masters.

27
Question 27 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Which of the following options does the Commonwealth of Nations commit resources to?

A. Use of a common currency
B. Superiority of the British Crown
C. British leadership on all matters of diplomacy
D. promotion of representative democracy
Explanation

One of the core objectives of the Commonwealth of Nations is the promotion of democracy and good governance among its members.

28
Question 28 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Which summit drew the road map for the implementation of the African Union?

A. Sirte Summit
B. Lusaka Summit
C. Lome Summit
D. Lagos Summit
Explanation

The Sirte Declaration on September 9, 1999 in Libya paved the way for the emergence of the African Union.

29
Question 29 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

One of the benefits which the West African states derive from the United Nations is

A. equal opportunities of appointment to its highest office
B. permanent membership of the Security Council
C. greater access to all the organs of the United Nations
D. total eradication of poverty from the African continent
Explanation

Through the membership of the United Nations, West African countries have benefited tremendously from the programmes of the UN and its agencies, (such as WHO, UNESCO, FAO etc) in the areas of health-care, environment, education, finance etc.

30
Question 30 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The Atlantic Charter gave birth to the

A. Commonwealth of Nations
B. Allied powers
C. United Nations
D. North Atlantic treaty Organizations
Explanation

The Atlantic Charter, signed in 1941 between President Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and others laid the foundation for the emergence of the United Nations in 1945.

31
Question 31 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Which of the following factors does not influence a country's foreign policy?

A. Human resource
B. Geographical location
C. System of education and number of universities
D. International laws and conventions
Explanation

Factors that can influence a country’s foreign policy include: Geographical location, population, availability of resources, military strength etc. The state of education or number of universities does not determine a country’s foreign policy.

32
Question 32 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

In which political system does the government control every aspect of a citizen's life?

A. Communism
B. Dictatorship
C. Totalitarianism
D. Aristocracy
Explanation

In a totalitarian state, every aspect of citizens’ life is controlled by the state.

33
Question 33 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The administrative head of the ministry is the

A. official of the ruling government
B. general manager
C. permanent secretary
D. chief coordinating officer
Explanation

A ministry is headed by the Permanent Secretary who serves as the administrative head of the ministry. The Commissioner at the state level or the Minister at the federal level serves as the political head of the ministry.

34
Question 34 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The sovereignty of a state can be limited as a great extent by

A. rule of law
B. Separation of Powers
C. International laws and conventions
D. Legislative Assembly
Explanation

A state’s sovereignty can be limited by international laws, treaties and agreements.

35
Question 35 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

A coalition government is a common feature of a

A. two party system
B. multi-party system
C. one party system
D. non-party system
Explanation

A coalition government is a government formed by two or more political parties as a result of the inability of one party to command a majority sufficient enough to form the government. This is only possible in a parliamentary democracy with multi-party system.

36
Question 36 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The appointment of judges is based on the recommendation of the

A. Civil Service Commission
B. Public Service Commission
C. Eminent Persons in society
D. Judicial Service
Explanation

The Judicial Service Commission is responsible for recommending judges for promotion.

37
Question 37 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

Which of the following options is not a function of political parties?

A. Policy implementation
B. Political socialization
C. Political education
D. Aggregation of interest
Explanation

A political party is a group that seeks to capture governmental powers through elections. Functions of political parties include: Political education and socialization, interest articulation and aggregation etc. The function of policy implementation is that of the civil Service.

38
Question 38 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

In an election, secret ballot is described as the process where the voter

A. is screened off to conceal the vote
B. cast the vote in a sealed box
C. is assisted to cast the vote
D. is searched before casting the vote
Explanation

The essence of a secret ballot is to protect the identity of the voter.

39
Question 39 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

In which system of government does the legislature pass a vote of no confidence in the government?

A. Federal
B. Cabinet
C. De jure
D. Monarchical
Explanation

A vote of no confidence is used by the parliament to remove the prime-minister from office in a cabinet system of government.

40
Question 40 of 40
WAEC · Government · 2022

The concept of social justice implies that the state must ensure

A. Sharing of political power with opponents
B. security for multi-national businesses
C. equality of citizens
D. fairness to foreign nationals
Explanation

Social justice implies that the state should ensure equity and equality for all its citizens.

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