History Exam Questions for JSS1 Third Term

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 JSS1 Third 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 Facebook. (Like and Follow Page)

Introduction to History as a School Subject

History is the study of past events, especially the stories of people, places, and how things happened over time. It helps us to understand how the world we live in today was formed.

As a school subject, History teaches students about important events, leaders, cultures, and civilizations. It helps us learn from the successes and mistakes of the past, so we can make better decisions in the future.

Histõry also builds our sense of identity and helps us appreciate our country, community, and heritage.

History Exam Questions for JSS1 Third Term

History Exam Questions for JSS1 Third Term are divided into two sections:

• Section A
• Section B (Part 1, 2 and 3)

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 JSS1 History Third Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 3rd 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. History can be defined as _________
(a) any story that is properly told
(b) the study of stories
(c) the study of past events as they relate
(d) the study of man-made stories

2. A narration that is not factual is called_________
(a) story
(b) history
(c) biography
(D) true life stories

3. A story can be defined as________
(a) any account of an event whether fiction or non-fiction
(b) a non-fiction account of an event
(c) a fiction account of an event
(d) the study of past events as they relate to man

4. A major difference between history and storytelling is that_________
(a) history is factual, while storytelling is factual
(b) history is factual while storytelling is non-factual
(c) history is fictional, while storytelling is non-fictional
(d) history does not require evidence, while storytelling does

5. Which of the following are categories of historical sources?
(a) primary, secondary and university sources
(b) nursery, primary and secondary sources
(c) primary, secondary and tertiary sources
(d) nursery, secondary and tertiary sources

6. Which of the following are examples of secondary sources?
(a) legends, archival materials, textbooks
(b) original autobiographies, travel guides and non monograph
(c) monograph, textbooks and journals
(d) archival materials, textbooks and journals

7. The following are correct definitions of oral traditions except_________
(a) testimonies concerning the past transmitted from one generation to another over a period of time
(b) documentary evidence transmitted from one person to another
(c) unwritten messages, whose preservation is entrusted to the memories of successive generations of people
(d) words of mouth transmitted from one person to another over a period of time

8. The following are examples of oral traditions except________
(a) memoirs            (b) legends
(c) praise songs      (d) proverbs

9. The following are correct definitions of arte facts except__________
(a) things made by people of past generations that can tell us something about them
(b) a stone tool, pottery vessels, metal weapons, buttons, jewellery, clothing etc
(c) objects that are created in recent times
(d) a tool or a work of art, especially an object of archaeological interest

10. A place where a variety of aged materials, especially documents and photographs, are stored and preserved is called_________
(a) archive       (b) material store
(c) library         (d) history store

11. ________ is a collection of peer reviewed articles
(a) a standard book
(b) a textbook
(c) a journal
(d) a workbook

12. ___________ are textbooks written by one or more authors
(a) journals
(b) biographies
(c) authored books
(d) autobiographies

13. Which of the following is not a type of history?
(a) social history
(b) botanical history
(c) medical history
(d) political history

14. History is the study of __________ events that happened
(a) imaginary     (b) international
(c) local              (d) real

15. A short book is known as _________
(a) memoir          (b) monograph
(c) biography      (d) textbook

16. ________is a set of books that give information on many aspects of a subject
(a) encyclopedia      (b) textbook
(c) biography           (d) magazine

17. Arewa House archives is located in________
(a) Lagos         (b) Kano
(c) Kaduna       (d) Benin city

18. Which of these is an archaeological site in Nigeria?
(a) Ibadan         (b) Port Harcourt
(c) Sokoto         (d) Dalma

19. An example of monument is _________
(a) bone tool
(b) shrine
(c) iron tool
(d) wooden tool

20. Objects made and used by man in the past are____________
(a) arte-facts       (b) articles
(c) folklores         (d) legends

21. Stories about animals and people told with the aim of teaching the culture of a particular people is __________
(a) folklores       (b) legends
(c) myths           (d) oral traditions

22. The following are secondary sources of history except______
(a) dairies      (b) documentaries
(c) letters       (d) oral tradition

23. Which of the following is not an importance of history to an individual?
(a) actualizing self discovery
(b) encouraging loyalty to the state
(c) enhancing one’s life
(d) enhancing societal development

24. Societies celebrate their heroes and heroines because_______
(a) of their good deeds
(b) of their wealth
(c) of their high social classes
(d) they could not meet them alive

25. History is important to the society in the following ways except that it helps____
(a) to guide against repetition of past mistakes
(b) in leadership training
(c) in identity discovery
(d) in encouraging ethnic rivalry

26. The findings of Nok Culture were mostly of human and animal____
(a) bones      (b) heads
(c) skins        (d) feeds

27. Which of these statement is not correct about the importance of history to man? History___
(a) deepens people’s knowledge about their society
(b) enables and individual to recognize his\her potentials
(c) helps people to avoid repeating past mistakes
(d) helps people to know the truth about their past

28. The pleasure in knowing the past and shaping one’s imaginations about the present and future is known as________
(a) civic education
(b) government
(c) history
(d) social studies

29. Ife and Nok artist showed their interest in making________figurines
(a) animal       (b) building
(c) human       (d) plant

30. All the following are government publications except________
(a) commissions of inquiry report
(b) white paper
(c) gazette
(d) publication

31. An account of someone’s life written by someone else is called__________
(a) biography
(b) historical account
(c) autobiography
(d) ghost writing

32. Biographies are examples of _________sources of history
(a) nursery           (b) primary
(c) secondary       (d) tertiary

33. Autobiographies are examples of_________
(a) nursery           (b) primary
(c) secondary       (d) tertiary

34. The story of a person written by himself or herself is called________
(a) unauthorized biography
(b) collective biography
(c) autobiography
(d) biography subject

35. ________is a short message used for internal communication in an organization
(a) a memorandum
(b) a memoranda
(c) a news report
(d) a bulletin

36. ________are buildings that house arte-facts and historical materials
(a) archives            (b) libraries
(c) exhibitions        (d) store

37. The place where we have books made of digitized literature of biodiversity under their collections is called_________
(a) library        (b) store
(c) market       (d) warehouse

38. Those sources which tell us about history are called________
(a) historical sources
(b) philosophical sources
(c) sociological sources
(d) mythological sources

39. The source of history which gives first-hand information about an event is called________
(a) primary     (b) secondary
(c) tertiary      (d) none of the above

40. A________ refers to a group of people that live in a political community under one government.
(a) group      (b) politicians
(c) state        (d) town

41. A centralized state can therefore be defined as a territory that is governed by a ___ central authority.
(a) single
(b) double
(c) multiple

42. Which of the following is not characteristics of centralized state?
(a) singular executive
(b) flexible constitution
(c) double constitution

43. The centralized states and Kingdoms which existed between 500 – 1800 A.d. are the following except____
(a) Oyo
(b) Ghana
(c) Benin

44. ________ has the longest dynasty in World history
(a) Kanem Bornu
(b) Oyo Empire
(c) Benin Empire

45. The Sefawa dynasty lasted for about________ years.
(a) 1200 (b) 1000 (c) 100

46. _______ established and consolidated the second Kanuri empire.
(a) Mai Ali Ghaji
(b) Yerima
(c) Galadima

47. Which of the following do not include the Hausa state?
(a) Abuja      (b) Kano
(c) Lagos      (d) Katsina

48. At the apex of the ladder in Hausa constitution is called___
(a) Dongari (b) Galadima (c) Sarkin

49. ____ was the first woman to become the Sarauniya (queen) in a male-dominated society during her reign between 1576 to 1610.
(a) Queen Amina
(b) Queen Zaria
(c) Queen Sarafina

50. The state was well-watered by rivers Niger and Kaduna which gave way to_________
(a) palm oil and oil
(b) art and craft
(c) farming and fishing

51. ___ is the son of an Igala prince, was the founder of Nupe state.
(a) Jubrin (b) Isoede (c) Etsu

52. The first fulani Etsu of Nupe Kingdom and ruled Nupe Kingdom from_______.
(a) Bida (b) Zaria (c) Kano

53. The Igala kingdom was founded by Abutu-Eje in the____century.
(a) 17th (b) 16th (c) 15th

54. _______ kingdom was ruled by nine high officials called the Igala Mela who are custodians of the sacred Earth shrine.
(a) Benin (b) Oyo (c) Igala

55. _______ is one of the Niger-Benue confluence states.
(a) Hausa (b) Igala (c) Eko

56. The major source of income of the Jukun during the period covered by researchers was the___.
(a) market oil
(b) palm wine
(c) slave trade

57. ______ people practiced divine kingship and the king (Aku) was sacred and surrounded by taboos.
(a) Jukun (b) Igala (c) Hausa

58. Oyo Empire was founded by _________
(a) Yorubas (b) Ooni (c) Oranmiyan

59. The Alafin ruled with a council of seven, called the _______
(a) Oyomesi (b) Bashorun (c) Ogboni

60. _________is referred to as the father of history
(a) The historian
(b) Herodotus
(c) The storyteller
(d) The teacher

Read Also: JAMB Brochure for History and Internatiönal Relation

SECTION B: Essay

PART 1

1. a. Define centralization.
b. Explain the meaning of centralized states.
c. Identify the characteristics of centralized states.
d. Mention three examples of centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria.

2. a. State the factors that influence the formation of states.
b. Explain the origin of Kanem and Borno empire.
c. Explain the structure and organization.
d. Factors that led to the rise of the second Kanuri empire.

PART 2

1a. State the meaning of History
1b. List 8 types of History and explain 2
1c. State two (2) importance each of history to:
(i) Individual
(ii) Nation
(iii) Society

2a. Give three (3) Differences between History and story telling in tabular form.
2b. Write three (3) similarities between History and storytelling.

3. Historical sources are classified into (3) categories. Mention them.

4a. Define Museum.
4b. Mention types of Museum that you know and explain.
4c. Mention 5 museums in Nigeria.

PART 3

1a. Define centralization.
1b. State the factors that influence the formation of states.
1c. Explain the origin of Kanem and Borno empire.
1d. Factors that led to the rise of the second Kanuri empire.

2a. Discuss the Nupe kingdom.
2b. What role did Islam play in the development of the Hausa states?
2c. Write notes on the relationship between Ife and Benin Empire.

3a. Discuss the relationship between the Igbos and the Niger Delta city states in the pre-colonial era.
3b. State any two significance of Igbo-ukwu culture to Nigerian history.
3c. State the differences between Ife and Benin kingdom in the pre-colonial period.

4a. State three differences between Oyo empire and Nupe kingdom.
4b. EXPLAIN culture and CUSTOMS.

Answers to History Exam Questions for JSS1 Third Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of History exam questions for JSS1 Third 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 JSS1 Third 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)

PART 1

1a. Centralization is the process by which political power or authority is concentrated in the hands of a single central government or ruler.

1b. Centralized states are political systems where power is concentrated in a single authority, usually headed by a king or ruler, who has the power to make decisions and govern the entire territory.

1c. Characteristics of centralized states include:
– A strong central authority
– A standing army
– A system of taxation
– A unified legal system
– Presence of kingship and royal court

1d. Examples of centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria are:
– Oyo Empire
– Benin Kingdom
– Kanem-Borno Empire

2a. Factors that influence the formation of states include:
– Geography
– Religion
– Economic activities
– Migration and settlement
– Wars and conquests

2b. The Kanem and Borno empire originated around Lake Chad. The Kanem Empire was founded by the Zaghawa people, but later dominated by the Kanuri people under the leadership of the Sayfawa dynasty.

2c. The Kanem-Borno Empire was highly organized. It had a king (Mai), provincial rulers, ministers, a council of elders, and tax collectors. Islam played a major role in its administration.

2d. Factors that led to the rise of the second Kanuri Empire include:
– Strong leadership under Mai Ali Ghaji
– Military strength and conquest
– Revival of Islamic learning and culture
– Good trade routes and economic strength

PART 2

1a. History is the study of past events, especially as they relate to human beings.

1b. Eight types of history are:
– Political History
– Economic History
– Social History
– Military History
– Cultural History
– Religious History
– Legal History
– Environmental History

Explanation of any two:
Political History: It deals with the study of government, rulers, and political institutions of the past.
Economic History: It focuses on how people produced, distributed, and consumed goods and services in the past.

1c. Importance of history:
(i) To the Individual:
– Helps self-discovery
– Builds knowledge of heritage

(ii) To the Nation:
– Encourages patriotism
– Promotes national unity

(iii) To the Society:
– Teaches moral lessons
– Helps avoid mistakes of the past

2a. Differences between History and Storytelling:

2b. Similarities between History and Storytelling:
– Both involve narration of events
– Bōth can be passed from generation to generation
– Both can teach moral lessons

3. Historical sources are classified into:
– Primary sources
– Secondary sources
– Tertiary sources

4a. A museum is a building where artefacts, artworks, and historical materials are preserved and displayed.

4b. Types of museum:
– National Museums: Hold artefacts from different parts of the country
– Military Museums: Display war materials and military history
– Ethnographic Museums: Showcase cultural heritage of ethnic groups

4c. Five museums in Nigeria are:
– National Museum, Lagos
– Natiōnal Museum, Benin
– National Museum, Jos
– Gidan Makama Museum, Kano
– Esie Museum, Kwara State

PART 3

1a. Centralization is the concentration of power in one central authority.

1b. Factors influencing the formation of states include: religion, trade, geography, migration, and wars.

1c. Kanem and Borno empire originated near Lake Chad, ruled first by the Sayfawa dynasty, later becoming the Borno Empire after internal crisis and relocation.

1d. The rise of the second Kanuri empire was due to strong leadership, revival of trade and Islam, and military reforms.

2a. The Nupe Kingdom was located near the River Niger. It was founded by Tsoede and known for its ironwork and craft. Islam later influenced its administration and culture.

2b. Islam influenced the Hausa states by introducing Islamic law (Sharia), promoting education through Qur’anic schools, and uniting the states under common religious practices.

2c. Ife and Benin Empire had strong cultural and political ties. Ife is believed to have influenced Benin’s art and kingship system. Some believe that Benin kings were originally crowned by the Oni of Ife.

3a. The Igbos and Niger Delta city-states like Bonny and Opobo traded together and exchanged goods such as palm oil, fish, and salt. They also intermarried and shared cultural practices.

3b. Two significances of Igbo-Ukwu culture:
– It proves that Igbos had an advanced civilization before colonization.
– It shows evidence of early bronze works in Nigeria.

3c. Differences between Ife and Benin Kingdom:
– Ife is known for spiritual and religious leadership, Benin for military strength.
– Ife’s art was mainly terracotta, Benin’s was bronze.

4a. Differences between Oyo Empire and Nupe Kingdom:
– Oyo had a strong cavalry army; Nupe relied more on crafts and trade.
– Oyo practiced indirect rule; Nupe had central rule under the Etsu.
– Oyo expanded westward; Nupe was mostly central Nigeria.

4b. Culture is the total way of life of a group of people, including their language, food, dress, beliefs, and values.
Customs are the traditional practices or ways of doing things that are passed down from generation to generation.

How to Pass History Exam Questions for JSS1 Third Term

History is not just about memorizing dates and names. It is about understanding how the past shapes the present and the future. Passing your History exam questions for JSS1 Third term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1. Pay Attention in Class: Always listen to your teacher and ask questions when you don’t understand something. History is easier when you follow the explanations in class.
2. Study Your Notes Regularly: Read your notebook and textbook every day. Don’t wait till exam week. Focus on definitions, dates, empires, and the roles of people and places.
3. Practice Past Questions: Go through previous exam questions to understand how topics are set. Practice both objective and essay questions.
4. Understand Key Terms: Know the meanings of important words like “centralization,” “empire,” “monuments,” and “sources of history.” Definitions are often asked in exams.
5. Use Tables and Headings: When answering essay questions, organize your answers with headings and bullet points. This makes your answer neat and easy to mark.
6. Revise with a Friend: Studying with someone else helps you remember better. You can test each other with questions.
7. Pray and Stay Confident: Before you write your exam, pray to God for wisdom and remember that hard work brings success.

If you follow these steps seriously, you will not just pass History — you will excel!

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on JSS1 Third Term Questions on History, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap.

Best wishes.