History Exam Questions for JSS2 First Term with Answer

You’re welcome to our school exams series where we provide you with termly examination questions in different subjects. In today’s post, we will focus on History exam questions. We will cover History exam questions for JSS2 First term with answers. This means that we’ll be providing you with answers to the questions at the end. Also, you will get a few success tips on how to pass History examinations with flying colors. Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Introduction to History as a School Subject

Before we venture into Past History Exam Questions for JSS2 First term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

History is the study of past events and how they have shaped the world we live in today. As a school subject, it helps students to understand the origin and development of their community, nation, and the world at large. Through the study of history, learners discover how people lived, the challenges they faced, and the achievements they made in different periods.

It teaches important lessons about leadership, culture, unity, and the consequences of human actions. History also helps students develop critical thinking, research, and analytical skills as they learn to compare events, identify causes and effects, and draw useful conclusions.

In summary, History as a school subject helps students to appreciate their heritage, respect other cultures, and become more responsible citizens who can make informed decisions for the future.

History Exam Questions for JSS2 First Term

History Exam Questions for JSS2 First Term are divided into two sections:

• Section A
• Section B

The first section, namely, Section A is the objective test, and students are expected to attempt all questions in the section. Section B is the theory part, and students are expected to follow specific instruction and answer the required number of questions.

Note that what you have below are JSS2 History First Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 1st term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

SECTION A: Objective Test

Instruction: Answer all questions in this section by choosing from the options lettered A—D. Each question carries equal marks.

1. A ________ is a written account of past events.
A. fiction        B. story
C. report        D. music

2. Which of the following best defines a historical story based on facts?
A. Fiction        B. Non-fiction
C. Myth          D. Legend

3. A story created from imagination is called:
A. Archive      B. Biography
C. Fiction       D. Non-fiction

4. The act of orally telling a story to a group is called:
A. Drama       B. Storytelling
C. Singing      D. Painting

5. History is primarily concerned with events arranged in:
A. rhyme
B. time sequence
C. color
D. measurement

6. A person who studies and writes about history is a(n):
A. artist         B. historian
C. actor         D. librarian

7. Which of the following is NOT a main type of historical source?
A. Primary source
B. Secondary source
C. Nursery source
D. Oral tradition

8. A person who cares for and manages archival records is called a(n):
A. actor        B. archivist
C. artist        D. author

9. Records preserved in an archive are called:
A. administrative materials
B. archival materials
C. school books
D. novels

10. Which of the following is a primary source?
A. A history textbook
B. A diary written at the time of an event
C. An encyclopedia article
D. A student’s summary

11. Which empire is NOT one of the Western Sudan empires?
A. Ghana          B. Mali
C. Songhai       D. Namibia

12. The main system of exchange in the trans-Saharan trade was:
A. taxation
B. barter and currency
C. education
D. manufacturing

13. Which of these was used as currency or medium of exchange in West Africa?
A. Paper dollars only
B. Cowries
C. Plastic tokens
D. Credit cards

14. The two principal items exported from the Sudan to North African traders were:
A. gold and slaves
B. cloth and sugar
C. leather and salt
D. maize and kola

15. Mungo Park was a European explorer of ________ origin.
A. Scottish       B. German
C. French         D. Portuguese

16. Early European contact with the peoples of Nigeria was made by how many main categories of Europeans?
A. One           B. Two
C. Three         D. Ten

17. The first European travelers to reach the West African coast were the:
A. Portuguese
B. Spanish
C. British
D. Dutch

18. Which of the following was a club dedicated to exploring West Africa in the late 18th/early 19th century?
A. African Union
B. African Association
C. African Party
D. African Congress

19. When was the Berlin Conference that regulated European colonization in Africa?
A. 1784–1785        B. 1884–1885
C. 1864–1865        D. 1904–1905

20. Which commodity was commonly traded from West Africa during the trans-Saharan trade?
A. Tea
B. Gold
C. Silk
D. Spices from China

21. Which of these was NOT a route used in the trans-Saharan trade?
A. Western route through the Sahara
B. Central route across the Sahel
C. Maritime route across the South Atlantic
D. Eastern desert route

22. Which of these played a major role in spreading Islam across West Africa?
A. European missionaries only
B. Traders and Islamic scholars
C. Portuguese explorers
D. Chinese merchants

23. A secondary source of history is:
A. an original letter from a king
B. an eyewitness diary
C. a later book analyzing events
D. a coin from the period

24. Which one is a secondary source?
A. Newspaper report written at the time
B. A modern history textbook
C. A king’s proclamation from that century
D. A traveler’s diary from the period

25. Which of the following is a characteristic of oral tradition?
A. It uses only written records.
B. It is passed down by speech.
C. It is always recorded on film.
D. It is only found in archives.

26. Which of these is an example of an archival material?
A. An old government gazette
B. A modern blog post
C. A recent school essay
D. A fictional novel

27. The founder traditionally associated with the rise of the Hausa states is:
A. Bayajidda
B. Askia Muhammad
C. Sundiata Keita
D. Mansa Musa

28. The Kanem–Bornu empire was founded by people of which region originally?
A. Southern Africa
B. Central Sudan region (Lake Chad area)
C. West Africa coast only
D. North Africa

29. Which of the following is a feature of non-centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria?
A. A single central ruler with absolute power
B. Power shared among clans or families
C. A modern constitution
D. A national parliament

30. Which of the following is an example of a non-centralized society in pre-colonial Nigeria?
A. Sokoto Caliphate
B. Igbo village system
C. Oyo Empire
D. Bornu Emirate

31. Which of these items was NOT a major export from West Africa during trans-Saharan trade?
A. Gold
B. Slaves
C. Timber for shipbuilding in Europe
D. Kola nuts

32. Cowrie shells were used mainly as:
A. musical instruments
B. currency
C. religious texts
D. building material

33. Iron rods, in some West African societies, served as:
A. weapons only
B. a form of money or medium of exchange
C. writing tools
D. decorative art only

34. Which European nation dominated early maritime trade on the Gulf of Guinea in the 15th century?
A. Portugal
B. Russia
C. Japan
D. United States

35. Which of the following best describes the Berlin Conference outcome?
A. It united African kingdoms into one nation.
B. It led to the partition of Africa among European powers.
C. It abolished the slave trade worldwide.
D. It created the United Nations.

36. The spread of Islam into West Africa was aided by:
A. caravans and trade routes
B. steamships only
C. television broadcasts
D. modern airlines

37. Which of the following is NOT a primary source for historians?
A. Photographs taken during an event
B. Letters written by participants
C. An academic article analyzing the event
D. Government records from the time

38. Which of these is considered a secondary source used by historians?
A. A transcript of a speech from 1900
B. A history student’s essay that reviews many sources
C. A treaty document from the period
D. A soldier’s memoir written at the time

39. Which of the following kingdoms became powerful through control of trans-Saharan trade routes?
A. Mali        B. Kongo
C. Zulu        D. Benin (only)

40. The wealth of the Mali Empire under Mansa Musa was largely based on:
A. control of gold trade
B. cotton factories
C. oil reserves
D. industrial production

41. Which of the following goods was important to North African traders when they came to West Africa?
A. Salt
B. Coal
C. Rice from East Asia
D. Timber for shipbuilding

42. What was the role of caravans in trans-Saharan trade?
A. They were groups of traders and camels that carried goods across the desert
B. They were ships that sailed around Africa
C. They were only used for local markets
D. They were storage warehouses

43. Which of these statements about archives is correct?
A. Archives store contemporary magazines only
B. Archives preserve historical documents and records
C. Archives are for books that have not been printed
D. Archives are online only

44. The city of Timbuktu is best known historically as a centre of:
A. fishing
B. Islamic learning and trade
C. textile manufacturing
D. coal mining

45. Which of the following was a European motive for contact with West Africa?
A. To establish trade in gold and other goods
B. To import American rice only
C. To build railways immediately in the 15th century
D. To create the United Nations

46. In pre-colonial Ebira society, the social groups were organized into:
A. clans
B. provinces with governors from Europe
C. multinational corporations
D. industrial unions

47. How many main trade routes crossed the Sahara historically?
A. One           B. Two
C. Three         D. Ten

48. Which of the following persons is famed for early European exploration of the Niger River region?
A. Mungo Park
B. Christopher Columbus
C. Vasco da Gama
D. Zheng He

49. The term “Western Sudan” in history refers to:
A. a modern country called Sudan only
B. a region in West Africa including empires like Ghana and Mali
C. South America
D. East African islands

50. Which of the following best describes a centralized state in pre-colonial Africa?
A. Power held by many small councils only
B. A single ruler or central authority with administrative structures
C. No leader at all
D. Modern political parties

51. Which commodity was important to both North African and West African traders?
A. Salt
B. Tea from China
C. Coffee from America
D. Cotton from Europe

52. Oral traditions are important in history because they:
A. always replace written sources
B. provide memories, beliefs, and customs passed down by people
C. are never reliable
D. are written on stone only

53. The primary reason Europeans explored the West African coast in the 15th century was to:
A. find new sea routes and trade goods such as gold
B. build universities only
C. colonize the interior immediately
D. produce films

54. The title “Mansa” used in the Mali Empire meant:
A. teacher
B. king or emperor
C. trader
D. warrior

55. The trans-Saharan trade helped the growth of which of the following fields in West African cities?
A. Islamic learning and scholarship
B. Automobile manufacturing
C. Television broadcasting
D. Space exploration

56. Which of the following is an example of documentary evidence?
A. A carved statue with no writing
B. A written contract from a town council dated 1850
C. A recently painted mural
D. A modern map with no dates

57. A historian’s careful study of many sources to produce a balanced account is called:
A. guessing
B. historical analysis
C. fiction writing
D. storytelling only

58. Which of the following was a result of the Berlin Conference for African peoples?
A. Their lands were divided among European powers without their consent
B. They were given complete independence immediately
C. They formed the African Union then and there
D. European powers left Africa

59. What role did Islamic scholars (ulama) play in West African towns like Timbuktu?
A. They led religious teaching and preserved manuscripts.
B. They only traded in fish.
C. They opposed learning.
D. They did not visit towns.

60. The study of coins, inscriptions and objects to learn about the past is called:
A. archaeology        B. astrology
C. meteorology       D. biology

Read Also: History Exam Questions for JSS1 First Term with Answers

SECTION B: Essay / Theory

INSTRUCTION – Answer only five (5) questions in this section. Write your answers in clear sentences or short paragraphs. Number your answers exactly as shown.

QUESTION 1
a. Define the following terms: (i) History; (ii) Story; (iii) Storytelling.
b. State and explain two differences between history and storytelling.
c. Give one reason why it is important to study history.

QUESTION 2
a. Explain what is meant by a historical source.
b. List and briefly describe three (3) primary sources of history.
c. State one advantage and one limitation of using oral tradition as a source of history.

QUESTION 3
a. Name and briefly describe any five (5) secondary sources of history.
b. Explain why historians use secondary sources when researching the past.

QUESTION 4
a. List five (5) examples of non-centralized states or communities in pre-colonial Nigeria.
b. For any two of the examples you listed, give one feature that shows they were non-centralized.

QUESTION 5
a. Give a brief account of the Trans-Saharan Trade under these headings: (i) major goods traded from West Africa; (ii) means of transport used; (iii) one effect of the trade on West African societies.
b. List two trading routes used during the trans-Saharan trade.

QUESTION 6
a. Who was Mungo Park? Give two contributions he made to West African exploration or knowledge.
b. Name two other European explorers or travelers associated with West Africa and give one fact about each.

QUESTION 7
a. Explain briefly what the Berlin Conference (1884–1885) decided about Africa.
b. Describe two effects of European partition (colonial division) on African political boundaries or societies.

Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Answers to History Exam Questions for JSS2 First Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of History exam questions for JSS2 First term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.

So here you have the answers to the objective section of History Exam Questions for JSS2 First term. Use the comments section to let me know if you have any questions you would want me to clarify or discuss further.

Answers to Section B (Theory)

QUESTION 1

(a) (i) History is the study of past events and how they have influenced people, places, and societies.
(ii) Story is a narration of events, whether true or imagined, told to entertain or educate listeners.
(iii) Storytelling is the act of narrating stories, usually by word of mouth, to pass down information or moral lessons.

(b) Differences between history and storytelling:
1. History is based on real events that can be verified through evidence, while storytelling may include imaginary or exaggerated events.
2. History aims to educate and preserve facts about the past, while storytelling often seeks to entertain or teach moral lessons.

(c) It is important to study history because it helps us understand the past, learn from it, and make better decisions for the future.

QUESTION 2

(a) A historical source is any material, object, or record that provides information about past events.

(b) Three primary sources of history:
1. Oral tradition – stories and accounts passed down by word of mouth from older generations.
2. Archaeological findings – objects such as tools, pottery, and ruins that give clues about ancient life.
3. Written records – documents like letters, diaries, and inscriptions created during the period being studied.

(c) Advantage: Oral tradition helps to preserve the history of people without written records.
Limitation: It may be changed or exaggerated over time, making it less reliable.

QUESTION 3

(a) Five secondary sources of history:
1. Textbooks – books written by historians based on research of earlier records.
2. Newspapers – reports that describe past events after they occurred.
3. Magazines – contain articles analyzing historical topics.
4. Documentaries – films that explain past events using visuals and commentary.
5. Encyclopedias – reference books that summarize knowledge about various topics including history.

(b) Historians use secondary sources to support their research, compare interpretations, and get a broader understanding of past events.

QUESTION 4

(a) Five examples of non-centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria:
1. Tiv
2. Igbo
3. Idoma
4. Ijaw
5. Ibibio

(b) Features of non-centralized states:
1. Igbo: They had no single ruler; decisions were made by councils of elders and village assemblies.
2. Tiv: Leadership was based on age and wisdom, and there was no central authority controlling all communities.

QUESTION 5

(a) Trans-Saharan Trade:
(i) Major goods traded from West Africa: Gold, kola nuts, and slaves.
(ii) Means of transport: Camels were the main means of transport across the desert.
(iii) Effect of the trade: It led to the growth of powerful kingdoms like Mali and Ghana and promoted Islam in West Africa.

(b) Two major trading routes:
1. The route from Timbuktu to Tripoli.
2. The route from Kano to Fezzan.

QUESTION 6

(a) Mungo Park was a Scottish explorer who traveled through West Africa in the late 18th century. He is known for exploring the River Niger.
Contributions:
1. He mapped part of the River Niger and provided valuable information about its course.
2. His reports encouraged further European exploration of West Africa.

(b) Other explorers:
1. Heinrich Barth – a German traveler who studied and recorded details about West African societies.
2. Richard Lander – a British explorer who discovered the mouth of the River Niger.

QUESTION 7

(a) The Berlin Conference (1884–1885) was a meeting where European powers divided Africa among themselves without considering the existing ethnic or cultural boundaries.

(b) Effects of European partition:
1. It created artificial borders that separated people of the same ethnic group and joined those with different cultures.
2. It led to European colonization, which caused loss of African independence and exploitation of resources.

How to Pass History Exam Questions for JSS2 First Term

Passing your History exam questions for JSS2 First term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1. Know the syllabus

• Get the exact topics for JSS2 first term. Stick to them.
• Make a short checklist of topics and tick them off as you finish.

2. Make simple notes

• Write short points for each topic. Use dates, names and places.
• Use bullet points, not long paragraphs.
• Use a one-line summary for each topic — this helps memory.

3. Learn important dates and names

• Memorise key dates, rulers’ names and the names of empires.
• Use short mnemonics (a few words) to remember lists.

4. Practice objective questions

• Do many multiple-choice questions. This trains your speed and accuracy.
• When unsure, use elimination — cross out wrong options first.
• Time yourself. Work to finish the objective section with minutes to spare.

5. Improve essay answers

• Read the question twice. Underline action words: “explain”, “name”, “give”.
• Plan briefly — list 3–5 points before you start writing.
• Use an opening sentence, 3–5 points with short explanations, and a closing line.
• Give examples and dates where possible.

6. Use sources and maps

• Learn to use primary examples: diaries, letters, old maps.
• Practice drawing simple maps or sketches if asked.

7. Practice past questions

• Work through past JSS or BECE-style questions.
• Mark yourself. Note weak areas and repeat them.

8. Manage exam time

• Spend the first few minutes reading the paper.
• Answer easy questions first, then harder ones.
• Keep an eye on time. Allocate time by marks.

9. Presentation counts

• Write neatly and number answers correctly.
• Use paragraphs and short sentences.

10. Before the exam

• Revise summaries, not long notes.
• Get enough sleep the night before.
• Eat a light, steady meal and arrive early.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on JSS2 First Term Questions on History, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap. Don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

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