History Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term with Answers

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 JSS3 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 JSS3 First term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

History is the study of past events, people, and societies. It helps us to understand how human beings lived in the past, the struggles they faced, and the progress they made. Through history, students learn about important leaders, wars, inventions, discoveries, and cultural changes.

As a school subject, History teaches learners to appreciate their heritage, respect other cultures, and avoid mistakes of the past. It also develops skills of critical thinking, research, and good judgment.

In short, History is not just about the past; it guides us in making better decisions for the present and the future.

History Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

History Exam Questions for JSS3 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 JSS3 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: Objectives

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

1. The study of History helps us to understand _____________.
A. the future
B. the past
C. the present
D. none of the above

2. History as a subject is mainly concerned with _____________.
A. imaginary stories
B. past human activities
C. natural disasters
D. future events

3. Which of the following is a written source of History?
A. Oral tradition
B. Stone inscriptions
C. Archival documents
D. Festivals

4. The period before the invention of writing is called _____________.
A. Modern age
B. Stone age
C. Pre-history
D. Oral age

5. The earliest means of recording historical events in Africa was _____________.
A. Oral tradition
B. Printing press
C. Television
D. Newspaper

6. Who among the following was a famous British archaeologist in Nigeria?
A. Mungo Park
B. Thurstan Shaw
C. Lord Lugard
D. Uthman dan Fodio

7. Nok culture is best known for its _____________.
A. stone tools
B. terracotta sculptures
C. iron smelting
D. bronze heads

8. One importance of archaeology is _____________.
A. it teaches us farming
B. it helps us know ancient civilizations
C. it stops migration
D. it promotes war

9. The first European nation to arrive on the coast of Nigeria was _____________.
A. Portugal      B. Britain
C. France         D. Spain

10. The trans-Saharan trade connected Nigeria with _____________.
A. North Africa
B. South Africa
C. America
D. Asia

11. Which of the following was imported into Nigeria during trans-Saharan trade?
A. Salt
B. Kola nuts
C. Palm oil
D. Groundnut

12. The Hausa city-states were founded around the _____________ century.
A. 7th             B. 10th
C. 15th           D. 18th

13. The founder of the Sokoto Caliphate was _____________.
A. Ali Ghaji
B. Uthman dan Fodio
C. Mansa Musa
D. Ahmadu Bello

14. The Oyo Empire was located in present-day _____________.
A. Northern Nigeria
B. South-West Nigeria
C. Eastern Nigeria
D. South-South Nigeria

15. The Alaafin of Oyo was assisted in ruling by the _____________.
A. Ogboni          B. Aremo
C. Oyomesi         D. Emir

16. The Benin Empire is well known for its _____________.
A. wood carving
B. bronze works
C. terracotta heads
D. pyramids

17. The first Christian mission arrived in Nigeria in _____________.
A. 1842          B. 1914
C. 1884          D. 1960

18. The major aim of Christian missionaries in Nigeria was _____________.
A. trading
B. spreading Christianity and education
C. mining
D. war

19. Which of the following was a famous missionary in Nigeria?
A. Bishop Ajayi Crowther
B. Uthman dan Fodio
C. Queen Amina
D. Herbert Macaulay

20. The 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria was carried out by _____________.
A. Lord Lugard
B. Mungo Park
C. Hugh Clifford
D. Macpherson

21. The Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 took place in _____________.
A. Western Nigeria
B. Eastern Nigeria
C. Northern Nigeria
D. Middle Belt

22. The struggle for Nigeria’s independence started in earnest after _____________.
A. 1945         B. 1950
C. 1960         D. 1963

23. The first political party in Nigeria was _____________.
A. NCNC          B. NPC
C. NNDP          D. AG

24. The first Nigerian Governor-General was _____________.
A. Nnamdi Azikiwe
B. Obafemi Awolowo
C. Tafawa Balewa
D. Herbert Macaulay

25. The nationalist leader regarded as the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism” is _____________.
A. Obafemi Awolowo
B. Herbert Macaulay
C. Nnamdi Azikiwe
D. Ahmadu Bello

26. Nigeria became a republic in _____________.
A. 1960         B. 1963
C. 1966         D. 1979

27. Which Nigerian leader was overthrown in the coup of January 1966?
A. Olusegun Obasanjo
B. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
C. Tafawa Balewa
D. Yakubu Gowon

28. The Nigerian civil war took place between _____________.
A. 1960–1963
B. 1967–1970
C. 1979–1983
D. 1985–1989

29. The main cause of the civil war was _____________.
A. religion
B. politics
C. secession of Biafra
D. trade

30. The Head of State during the civil war was _____________.
A. Olusegun Obasanjo
B. Yakubu Gowon
C. Sani Abacha
D. Ibrahim Babangida

31. The first executive president of Nigeria was _____________.
A. Shehu Shagari
B. Nnamdi Azikiwe
C. Olusegun Obasanjo
D. Goodluck Jonathan

32. A historical site in Nigeria that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is _____________.
A. Zuma Rock
B. Osun-Osogbo Grove
C. Erin Ijesha Waterfall
D. Yankari Game Reserve

33. A prominent Nigerian historian is _____________.
A. Wole Soyinka
B. Chinua Achebe
C. Prof. Kenneth Dike
D. Ben Enwonwu

34. The study of history helps in _____________.
A. promoting ignorance
B. nation building
C. encouraging laziness
D. destroying culture

35. A society without history is said to be _____________.
A. strong         B. powerful
C. rootless       D. blessed

36. The Portuguese first landed at _____________ in Nigeria.
A. Lagos          B. Benin
C. Badagry      D. Calabar

37. The Berlin Conference of 1884/85 was about _____________.
A. division of Africa among European powers
B. building of schools in Africa
C. spread of Christianity
D. abolition of slave trade

38. The British colonized Nigeria mainly for _____________.
A. culture
B. economic exploitation
C. education
D. friendship

39. Who moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953?
A. Anthony Enahoro
B. Tafawa Balewa
C. Obafemi Awolowo
D. Nnamdi Azikiwe

40. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was created in _____________.
A. 1963        B. 1973
C. 1983        D. 1993

41. The official residence of Lord Lugard in Nigeria was at _____________.
A. Lagos        B. Zungeru
C. Abuja        D. Calabar

42. The major economic activity of the Nok people was _____________.
A. fishing
B. iron smelting
C. hunting
D. farming

43. Queen Amina of Zazzau was famous for _____________.
A. her poetry
B. her military conquests
C. missionary work
D. colonization

44. The capital of the Kanem-Borno Empire was _____________.
A. Ibadan       B. Kukawa
C. Kano          D. Bida

45. The Ogbunike caves are located in _____________ State.
A. Enugu        B. Anambra
C. Abia            D. Edo

46. The founder of the Kanem-Borno Empire was _____________.
A. Idris Alooma
B. Sayfawa dynasty
C. Uthman dan Fodio
D. Jaja of Opobo

47. The Ekumeku Movement took place among the _____________ people.
A. Yoruba         B. Igbo
C. Hausa          D. Tiv

48. One impact of colonial rule in Nigeria was _____________.
A. industrialization
B. introduction of Western education
C. independence of empires
D. African unity

49. The introduction of indirect rule in Nigeria was to _____________.
A. make Nigerians free
B. govern through traditional rulers
C. abolish culture
D. create more kingdoms

50. The Kiriji war was fought in _____________.
A. Eastern Nigeria
B. Western Nigeria
C. Northern Nigeria
D. Middle Belt

51. Jaja of Opobo was deported by the British because _____________.
A. he resisted colonial policies
B. he was a missionary
C. he fought Uthman dan Fodio
D. he moved the capital

52. The Ekiti Parapo war lasted for about _____________ years.
A. 16          B. 20
C. 5            D. 40

53. The introduction of Western education in Nigeria was mainly by _____________.
A. the Portuguese
B. missionaries
C. traditional rulers
D. the military

54. The colonial capital of Nigeria before Lagos was _____________.
A. Kaduna        B. Calabar
C. Lokoja          D. Ibadan

55. Who was the first Nigerian to become a bishop?
A. Ajayi Crowther
B. Herbert Macaulay
C. Obafemi Awolowo
D. Samuel Akinsanya

56. The major effect of slave trade on Nigeria was _____________.
A. population growth
B. population decline
C. technological progress
D. political stability

57. The Asante war was between the Asante and the _____________.
A. French
B. British
C. Nigerians
D. Portuguese

58. Which nationalist founded the West African Pilot newspaper?
A. Nnamdi Azikiwe
B. Herbert Macaulay
C. Obafemi Awolowo
D. Ahmadu Bello

59. Who was the first Prime Minister of Nigeria?
A. Tafawa Balewa
B. Nnamdi Azikiwe
C. Obafemi Awolowo
D. Ernest Ikoli

60. The first coup d’état in Nigeria took place in _____________.
A. 1963       B. 1966
C. 1976       D. 1983

SECTION B: Essay/Theory

INSTRUCTION –Answer four (4) questions only. All questions carry equal marks.

1. (a) Define History.
(b) Explain four reasons why the study of History is important to Nigeria.

2. Discuss five sources of Nigerian History and give one example of each.

3. (a) Explain the contributions of archaeology to the study of Nigerian History.
(b) Describe briefly the Nok culture.

4. Write short notes on any four of the following:
(i) Uthman dan Fodio
(ii) Oyo Empire
(iii) Benin Empire
(iv) Igbo-Ukwu
(v) Alaafin of Oyo

5. Trace the development of nationalism in Nigeria up to 1960.

6. Discuss five major causes of the Nigerian civil war.

Read Also: History Exam Questions for JSS1 Third Term

Answers to History Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of History exam questions for JSS3 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 JSS3 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)

1. (a) Define History.

History is the study of past human events, societies, and activities. It helps us to understand how people lived, the challenges they faced, and how their actions shaped the present.

(b) Four reasons why the study of History is important to Nigeria:
1. It helps Nigerians to know their roots, origin, and cultural heritage.
2. It teaches lessons from past mistakes and successes for nation building.
3. It promotes unity and patriotism by showing how the people struggled for independence.
4. It provides knowledge about great leaders and events that shaped Nigeria’s development.

2. Discuss five sources of Nigerian History and give one example of each.

1. Oral tradition – Stories passed down by word of mouth, e.g., folktales, proverbs.
2. Archaeology – Study of ancient remains, e.g., Nok terracotta sculptures.
3. Written records – Documents like colonial records or newspapers.
4. Artifacts – Objects such as tools, pots, or bronze works, e.g., Benin bronzes.
5. Archival sources – Records kept in national archives, e.g., government reports.

3. (a) Contributions of archaeology to the study of Nigerian History.

1. Archaeology helps to discover and preserve ancient objects that tell us about the past.
2. It provides evidence of early human settlement in Nigeria.
3. It reveals the technological advancement of ancient societies, such as iron smelting.
4. It helps historians confirm or correct oral traditions and written records.

(b) Nok culture.
The Nok culture was one of the earliest civilizations in Nigeria. It existed around 500 BC – 200 AD in present-day Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger states. The Nok people are best known for their terracotta sculptures and were among the first to practice iron smelting in West Africa.

4. Write short notes on any four:

(i) Uthman dan Fodio: He was a great Islamic scholar and reformer who led the 1804 Jihad in Northern Nigeria and founded the Sokoto Caliphate.

(ii) Oyo Empire: A powerful Yoruba kingdom in South-West Nigeria, known for its strong cavalry and centralized government headed by the Alaafin of Oyo.

(iii) Benin Empire: Located in present-day Edo State, it was famous for its advanced political system and unique bronze artworks.

(iv) Igbo-Ukwu: An ancient Igbo community in Anambra State, known for highly skilled bronze and copper works dating back to the 9th century.

(v) Alaafin of Oyo: The supreme ruler of the Oyo Empire who ruled with the assistance of the Oyomesi council. He was considered sacred and powerful.

5. Trace the development of nationalism in Nigeria up to 1960.

Nigerian nationalism developed gradually as a reaction to colonial rule. In the early 20th century, educated elites like Herbert Macaulay began to challenge colonial policies. In the 1930s and 1940s, political parties such as the NNDP, NCNC, NPC, and AG emerged to demand self-government. Leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello played active roles. The 1945 General Strike also strengthened nationalist movements. In 1953, Anthony Enahoro moved a motion for self-government. After constitutional conferences and gradual political reforms, Nigeria finally gained independence on October 1, 1960.

6. Discuss five major causes of the Nigerian civil war.

1. Political instability and ethnic rivalry after independence.
2. The January 1966 coup and counter-coup, which created distrust among regions.
3. The massacre of Igbos in Northern Nigeria in 1966.
4. The failure of the Aburi Accord to resolve political tensions.
5. The declaration of the Republic of Biafra by Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, which led to secession and war.

How to Pass History Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term

History is a subject that requires understanding, memory, and the ability to explain past events clearly. Passing your History exam questions for JSS3 First term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1. Pay attention in class:

Always listen carefully to your teacher and take notes. Important points and explanations given in class often come out in exams.

2. Study your notes and textbooks regularly:

Do not wait until exam week before reading. Go through your History notes every day. This will help you to remember names, dates, and events easily.

3. Understand, don’t just cram:

History is not only about memorizing facts. Try to understand why events happened, their effects, and their importance. This makes it easier to write good answers in the exam.

4. Use timelines and charts:

Draw timelines of important events (e.g., Amalgamation of 1914, Independence in 1960, Civil War 1967–1970). This will help you to remember dates in their correct order.

5. Practice past questions:

Answering past exam questions will help you know how questions are set and how to answer them correctly.

6. Learn key personalities and places:

Remember important leaders (like Uthman dan Fodio, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Herbert Macaulay) and historical places (like Igbo-Ukwu, Benin Empire, Oyo Empire). These often appear in exams.

7. Write clearly in exams:

When answering essay questions, arrange your points in order and write in full sentences. For objectives, read each question carefully before choosing your answer.

8. Revise before the exam:

One or two weeks before the exam, revise all your notes, summaries, and timelines. Focus on the topics your teacher emphasized in class.

By following these steps, you will build confidence and be well prepared to pass your History exam with good grades.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on JSS3 First Term Questions on History, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap.

Best wishes.