Government Exam Questions for SS1 Second 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 Government exam questions. We will cover Government exam questions for SS1 Second 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 Government 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 Government as a School Subject

Before we venture into Past Government Exam Questions for SS1 Second term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

Government is one of the core subjects offered in senior secondary schools. It helps students understand how the society they live in is organized, governed, and managed. The subject deals with the study of political institutions, systems of government, and the roles of citizens in the political process.

By studying Government, students learn about the constitution, rule of law, democracy, political parties, elections, and the functions of the three arms of government — the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

Government as a subject also helps young people to become informed and responsible citizens who can participate actively in national development. It broadens their understanding of leadership, civic duties, and the importance of good governance in building a peaceful and progressive society.

Government Exam Questions for SS1 Second Term

Government Exam Questions for SS1 Second Term are divided into two parts:

• Part One
• Part Two

The Second part, namely, Part One is the objective test, and students are expected to attempt all questions in the section. Part Two 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 SS1 Government Second Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 1st term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

PART One: Objectives

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

1. The components units of Nigeria Federation practice ………. Law making system
(a) bicameral
(b) unicameral
(c) exclusive
(d) delegated legislation

2. A state is said to be unitary if it ……….
(a) has a rigid constitution
(b) is organized under a single government
(c) is headed by prime minister
(d) is under military rule

3. The International Court of Justice is made up of ………. Judges
(a) 9          (b) 10
(c) 12        (d) 15

4. Which of these is not a factor that necessitates the adoption of unitary government?
(a) homogenous factor
(b) heterogeneous factor
(c) small country
(d) management function

5. Which of the following heads of state was referred to as interim president?
(a) Gowon                (b) Shonekan
(c) Abdulsalami        (d) Ironsi

6. All the following are demerits of a unitary constitution except ……….
(a) uneven development
(b) it is costly to run
(c) it creates unemployment
(d) it does not give room for under-representation

7. A federal government is the direct opposite of a ………. government
(a) federal          (b) unitary
(c) republic        (d) confederal

8. All these are powers shared between the three tiers of government except ……….
(a) the universal list
(b) the residual list
(c) the concurrent list
(d) the exclusive list

9. The International Court of Justice office is located in ………. Country
(a) China          (b) Holland
(c) USA            (d) Germany

10. Which of the following is not among the features of federalism?
(a) written constitution
(b) rigid constitution
(c) constitutional division of power
(d) no constitutional division of power

11. All the following are merits of federalism except ……….
(a) it promotes unity
(b) division of function
(c) concentration of all power in a single authority
(d) reduction in workload

12. Confederalism is best practiced by ………. Community
(a) international community
(b) national community
(c) town community
(d) Abuja community

13. The system of government in which the president acts as the head of government and the head of state is known as the ……….
(a) diarchy system of government
(b) presidential system of government
(c) unitary system of government
(d) parliamentary system of government

14. Which of the following is true of a parliamentary system of government?
(a) there is an executive president
(b) fusion of power is discouraged
(c) collective responsibility is emphasized
(d) the prime minister is the head of the judiciary

15. All these are functions of a prime minister except ……….
(a) removal of minister
(b) performing ceremonial functions
(c) appointment of ministers
(d) the leader of his party

16. The head of government in a parliamentary government is ……….
(a) president
(b) governor
(c) prime minister
(d) chancellor

17. The government controlled by 2 joint authorities is called?
(a) autocratic        (b) theocratic
(c) diarchy            (d) plutocracy

18. All the following are demerits of a cabinet system of government except ……….
(a) it is difficult to apportion blame
(b) it is less democratic
(c) impeachment of the head of government
(d) existence of fusion of power

19. The countries that practice a presidential system of government include all the following except ……….
(a) Cote d’Ivoire
(b) Britain
(c) Liberia
(d) U.S.A

20. All the following are functions of the president as the head of state except ……….
(a) he signs the bill
(b) he receives important dignitaries
(c) he represents the country at international conferences
(d) he can impeach the executive president

21. The following are merits of a presidential system of government except ……….
(a) existence of checks and balances
(b) the head of state is elected
(c) fusion of power among the organs of government
(d) it is democratic in nature

22. All the following are demerits of a presidential system of government except ……….
(a) existence of friction among the organs
(b) too expensive to operate
(c) it is difficult to apportion blame
(d) existence of lobbying

23. Veto power in a presidential system of government lies with the ……….
(a) attorney general
(b) chief of army staff
(c) executive president
(d) provost

24. The system of government in which the center government is more powerful than the component government is called ……….
(a) presidential system of government
(b) unitary system of government
(c) federal system of government
(d) confederal system of government

25. The system of government whereby the component government is stronger than the central government is called ……….
(a) presidential system of government
(b) parliamentary system of government
(c) federal system of government
(d) confederal system

26. The system of government whereby the head of government is removed from the office through the process called impeachment is ……….
(a) confederal system of government
(b) cabinet system of government
(c) presidential system of government
(d) unitary system of government

27. The system of government whereby the head of government is removed from the office through a process called passing of vote of no confidence is ……….
(a) cabinet system of government
(b) presidential system of government
(c) monarchy system of government
(d) federal system of government

28. The prime minister in a cabinet system of government is elected by the ……….
(a) the electorate
(b) the parliament
(c) the parliamentarian
(d) the ministers only

29. A short break in a parliamentary session is referred to as ……….
(a) suspension         (b) recess
(c) dissolution          (d) termination

30. Constitutionalism implies that ……….
(a) citizen should read the constitution always
(b) leaders should ignore the dictates of the constitution
(c) citizens should challenge the provision of the constitution
(d) leaders should act according to the stipulation of the constitution

31. Constitutionalism is contrary to the practice of ……….
(a) democracy
(b) socialism
(c) totalitarianism
(d) communalism

32. In what year did Nigeria experience the Second Republic?
(a) 1966          (b) 1976
(c) 1989          (d) 1979

33. Written constitution means the constitution is ……….
(a) written in only two books
(b) codified in a single document
(c) written in multi-document
(d) written in preamble

34. The following are merits of a written constitution except ……….
(a) for quick references
(b) it is easily available
(c) properly documented
(d) it is flexible

35. Unwritten constitution means that the constitution is ……….
(a) not written
(b) based only on convention
(c) contained in many documents
(d) in draft book

36. The form of government in which ownership of land is vested in the hands of the king is ……….
(a) capitalism         (b) socialism
(c) feudalism          (d) fascism

37. The head of government of Nigeria between 1993 to 1998 was?
(a) Obasanjo         (b) Shagari
(c) Abacha            (d) Babangida

38. The constitution in which the process of amendment is complex and difficult is ……….
(a) flexible          (b) rigid
(c) federal           (d) unitary

39. The following are countries that practice rigid constitution except ……….
(a) Nigeria          (b) India
(c) Britain            (d) USA

40. The following are features of a rigid constitution except ……….
(a) it protects minority interest
(b) it minimizes constitutional crisis
(c) it protects the rights of the citizens
(d) its content is unconstitutional

41. In cabinet government, the head of government can be removed from office through the process called
(a) veto
(b) impeachment
(c) passing of vote of no confidence
(d) carpet crossing

42. A constitution that is easily amended is ……….
(a) written          (b) unwritten
(c) unitary          (d) flexible

43. All the following are merits of a flexible constitution except ……….
(a) it is flexible in nature
(b) it is difficult to change
(c) it can be changed easily
(d) it is suitable for emergency periods

44. The law-making body in Nigeria is called the ……….
(a) congress
(b) praesidium
(c) National Assembly
(d) House of Lords

45. The existence of one legislative chamber in a country is called ……….
(a) bicameralism      (b) unicameralism
(c) unilateral            (d) unicephalous

46. The following are merits of a unicameral legislature except ……….
(a) it is suitable in small countries
(b) it gives room for a faster process of law-making
(c) it is cheaper to maintain
(d) it is slow in decision-making

47. The act of carrying out legislative functions by two chambers in a country is ……….
(a) bicephalous            (b) bicameralism
(c) unicameralism        (d) multilateral

48. The following are merits of a bicameral legislature except ……….
(a) it is time-consuming
(b) it gives room for effective law-making
(c) it gives room for division of labor among the two chambers
(d) it defends the rights of individuals

49. All the following are demerits of a bicameral legislature except ……….
(a) it is slow in decision-making
(b) it is expensive to maintain
(c) existence of friction
(d) it is suitable in time of emergency

50. One outstanding feature of human rights is that
(a) it is authoritative
(b) it is defenseless
(c) it is universal
(d) it is divided

51. In a legislature, carpet crossing means ……….
(a) crossing over the carpet
(b) decamping to another party
(c) legislative dismissal
(d) legislative instrument

52. A proposed law to be deliberated in the National Assembly is called ……….
(a) decision          (b) law
(c) bill                   (d) ordinance

53. Which of these best describes the stages of passing a bill into law?
(a) Second, second, third, committee and report stage
(b) Second, report, second, committee, report and third reading
(c) Second reading, second reading, committee, report and third reading
(d) report Second, second, third and committee stage

54. The following are functions of the executive except ……….
(a) appointment of top officials
(b) power of pardon
(c) signing of bills
(d) amendment of the constitution

55. Which of these is not a body that controls the executive?
(a) judicial control
(b) legislative control
(c) armed forces control
(d) periodic free and fair elections

56. In a monocephalous executive system of government, the executive power resides in the ……….
(a) the judge
(b) president
(c) prime minister
(d) the senate president

57. The judiciary is an organ of government which ……….
(a) rules the country according to the law
(b) makes law for the country
(c) gives legal backup to government budgets
(d) settles disputes in accordance with the law

58. The following are functions of the judiciary except ……….
(a) it interprets the law
(b) it protects fundamental human rights
(c) it determines election petitions
(d) it makes law

59. The following are problems of the judiciary except ……….
(a) inadequate funding
(b) poor remuneration of judicial officials
(c) political control of judicial officials
(d) problems of budget preparation by judicial officials

60. The type of government that emphasized community feeling and togetherness is
(a) communism
(b) communalism
(c) political culture
(d) feudalism

PART 2: THEORY

SECTION A: Answer only 2 Questions

1a. Define a unitary system of government.
1b. Outline any 4 differences between a unitary and federal system of government.

2. In what 5 ways is a presidential system of government considered the best government compared to a parliamentary system of government?

3a. What is a Republican form of government?
3b. Explain any 4 common terms between a Republican form of government and a presidential system of government.

SECTION B: Answer only 2 Questions

4a. Define the term constitution.
4b. Briefly explain any 4 indicator sources for drafting a constitution.

5a. What is an exclusive list?
5b. Describe any 4 contents of power in the exclusive list.

6a. Define the term legislature.
6b. Explain any 4 functions of the legislature.

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Answers to Government Exam Questions for SS1 Second Term

Answers to Part One (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of Government exam questions for SS1 Second 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 Government Exam Questions for SS1 Second 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)

1a. Definition of a Unitary System of Government

A unitary system of government is a form of government in which all powers are concentrated in a single central authority, and any other levels of government derive their powers from the central government.

1b. Differences Between Unitary and Federal System of Government

• In a unitary system, power is centralized, while in a federal system, power is shared between central and regional governments.
• A unitary system has a flexible constitution, while a federal system usually operates a rigid constitution.
• In a unitary system, the central government can abolish regional governments, while in a federal system, component units cannot be dissolved by the center.
• A unitary system is suitable for small and homogeneous countries, while a federal system suits large and heterogeneous countries.

2. Ways a Presidential System is Considered Better than a Parliamentary System

• It ensures separation of powers among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
• The president is directly elected by the people, making the system more democratic.
• There is stability in government since the president has a fixed tenure.
• Checks and balances prevent abuse of power.
• The system reduces the chances of frequent government collapse.

3a. Republican Form of Government

A republican form of government is a system in which the head of state is elected either directly or indirectly by the people, and governance is carried out according to the rule of law.

3b. Common Terms Between Republican and Presidential System

• Election: Leaders are chosen by the people either directly or indirectly.
• Rule of Law: Both systems operate based on constitutional provisions.
• Separation of Powers: Government powers are divided among different organs.
• Fixed Tenure: Leaders serve for a specified period.

4a. Definition of Constitution

A constitution is the body of fundamental laws and principles that govern a state and define the structure, powers, and functions of government.

4b. Indicator Sources for Drafting a Constitution

• Historical Experience: Past political events and systems guide the drafting process.
• Customs and Traditions: Cultural practices influence constitutional provisions.
• Foreign Constitutions: Other countries’ constitutions serve as references.
• Judicial Decisions: Court rulings help shape constitutional development.

5a. Exclusive List

The exclusive list is a list of subjects on which only the central or federal government has the authority to make laws.

5b. Contents of the Exclusive List

• Defence: Control of the armed forces and national security.
• Foreign Affairs: Management of international relations.
• Currency: Issuance and regulation of money.
• Immigration: Control of entry and exit into the country.

6a. Legislature

The legislature is the arm of government responsible for making laws for the state.

6b. Functions of the Legislature

• Lawmaking: It makes laws for the governance of the country.
• Oversight Function: It monitors and checks the activities of the executive.
• Approval of Budget: It considers and approves government expenditure.
• Representation: It represents the interests of the people.

How to Pass Government Exam Questions for SS1 Second Term

Passing your Government exam questions for SS1 Second term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1. Know Your Key Topics

Focus on important areas like systems of government (unitary, federal, presidential, parliamentary), constitution, legislature, executive, judiciary, and electoral processes. These topics always repeat.

2. Understand, Don’t Memorize Blindly

Read to understand. Know the meaning of terms and be able to explain them in your own words. This will help you answer theory questions confidently.

3. Master Definitions

Many questions start with “Define…”. Learn clear and standard definitions of key terms like constitution, legislature, federalism, and exclusive list.

4. Practice Past Questions

Go through past questions regularly. You will notice repeated patterns, especially in objective questions.

5. Learn Differences and Comparisons

Be ready to compare systems of government. Questions like “differentiate between unitary and federal system” are very common.

6. Use Simple and Clear English

Avoid long and confusing sentences. Write straight to the point. Examiners reward clarity.

7. Answer Theory Questions Properly

When asked to “explain” or “outline”, give clear points and briefly explain each one. Don’t just list without explanation.

8. Time Management

Don’t spend too much time on one question. Answer what you know first and come back to difficult ones.

9. Revise Regularly

Read your notes often. Short daily revision is better than last-minute reading.

10. Stay Confident

Go into the exam hall with confidence. If you have prepared well, you will perform well.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on SS1 First Term Questions on Government, 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)

Best wishes…