1. Which of the following best defines government as an institution of a state?

A. An institution established for class struggle
B. machinery established for exercising political power ✔

C. a process of organizing societal values
D. the art through which political parties are managed

Explanation:
Government is the organized machinery for exercising political authority in a state.

2. Which of the following is a reason for studying government?

A. Knowledge of the rights of the individuals ✔

B. acquisition of skills to work in a state-owned industry
C. helps the individual to form a pressure group
D. enables citizens to vote during election

Explanation:
Studying government helps citizens understand their rights and responsibilities.

3. The most visible feature of a state is

A. compulsory membership
B. defined geographical territory ✔

C. written constitution
D. sovereign power

Explanation:
A state is identifiable by its clearly defined territory.

4. Representative democracy is characterized by

A. free election and proper register of voters ✔

B. a politically educated elite
C. representation of the poor only
D. rule of the interest groups

Explanation:
In representative democracy, citizens elect leaders through free and fair elections.

5. The set of attitudes and beliefs that determine the behavior of citizens in a political system is called

A. socialization
B. political culture ✔

C. representative government
D. devolution

Explanation:
Political culture shapes the way citizens participate and behave in politics.

6. Fundamental Human Rights are entrenched in constitutions purposely to

A. ensure freedom of speech
B. guarantee the liberty of citizens ✔

C. promote good governance
D. promote trade

Explanation:
Human rights protect citizens’ liberty and freedom.

7. Diplomatic and parliamentary immunities put limitations on

A. the rule of law ✔

B. separation of powers
C. checks and balances
D. foreign policies

Explanation:
Immunities limit strict application of law to certain officials for diplomatic or parliamentary reasons.

8. Montesquieu’s political theory of separation of powers was meant to

A. promote unity in government
B. prevent dictatorial rule ✔

C. ensure social justice
D. enhance state security

Explanation:
Separation of powers prevents concentration of authority in one branch.

9. Which of the following countries practice a centralized system of government?

A. Nigeria
B. Ghana ✔

C. USA
D. India

Explanation:
Ghana has a unitary (centralized) system where power is concentrated at the center.

10. Which of the following countries operates an unwritten constitution?

A. Britain ✔

B. USA
C. Japan
D. Canada

Explanation:
Britain’s constitution is based on statutes, conventions, and judicial decisions.

11. A constitution that can be amended through ordinary law making process is said to be

A. written
B. unwritten
C. rigid
D. flexible ✔

Explanation:
Flexible constitutions can be amended by regular legislative procedure.

12. Which of the following systems of government operates on the principles of checks and balances?

A. Theocracy
B. presidential ✔

C. parliamentary
D. monarchical

Explanation:
Presidential systems maintain separate branches with checks on each other.

13. Confederal system of government means

A. powerful centre and weak component units
B. weak centre and powerful component units ✔

C. powerful centre and power component units
D. weak component units and weak centre

Explanation:
Confederations have strong state/regional governments with a weak central authority.

14. In a federal system of government, the power shared between the central and state governments is known as

A. legislative power
B. executive power
C. concurrent power ✔

D. judicial power

Explanation:
Concurrent powers are shared between central and state governments.

15. The organ of government responsible for implementation of policies in a state is the

A. ombudsman
B. executive ✔

C. national assembly
D. civil organization

Explanation:
The executive executes and implements government policies.

16. Quick decision making is an advantage of

A. unicameralism ✔

B. constitutionalism
C. federalism
D. republicanism

Explanation:
A unicameral legislature makes decisions faster due to only one legislative chamber.

17. The organ of government responsible for implementation of policies in a state is the

A. legislature
B. judiciary
C. executive ✔

D. public bureau

Explanation:
The executive branch carries out laws and policies.

18. A citizen is an individual who

A. has the legal and political rights in a country for some time ✔

B. enjoys only economic rights
C. enjoys immunity in the country

Explanation:
Citizens have legal and political rights recognized by the state.

19. Which of the following is a condition for granting citizenship to a foreigner?

A. Swearing an oath of allegiance ✔

B. possession of a university degree
C. a registered member of a political party
D. possession of an international passport

Explanation:
Oath of allegiance is a legal requirement for naturalization.

20. Citizenship can be acquired through all of the following except

A. nationalization
B. birth
C. naturalization
D. marriage ✔

Explanation:
Marriage alone does not automatically confer citizenship.

21. The conferment of citizenship on a distinguished personality of another country is called

A. citizenship by birth
B. honorary citizenship ✔

C. adoption
D. citizenship by registration

Explanation:
Honorary citizenship is symbolic and given to distinguished foreigners.

22. The primary aim of any political party is to

A. pressurize the government
B. remain in the opposition
C. control the government ✔

D. ensure fair play in business

Explanation:
Political parties aim to form government and implement policies.

23. A manifesto can be defined as the

A. opportunity to form a political party
B. proposed programmes of a political party ✔

C. policy of a political party
D. power to rule the masses

Explanation:
Manifestos outline the proposed policies and programs of parties.

24. Which of the following exists in a one-party state?

A. Only the workers’ party is allowed
B. only the students’ party
C. elections at the party conference
D. the ruling party is the only legal party ✔

Explanation:
One-party states permit only a single political party legally.

25. Which of the following party systems best represents all shades of opinion?

A. Multi-party ✔

B. two-party
C. one-party
D. elite-party

Explanation:
Multi-party systems provide space for diverse political opinions.

26. The practice of multi-party system in West Africa tends to promote

A. sectionalism and factionalism ✔

B. national integration
C. social discrimination
D. economic integration

Explanation:
Multiple parties often lead to factionalism along ethnic or regional lines.

27. Franchise is the right to

A. express political views
B. control the government
C. vote and be voted for ✔

D. ensure good governance

Explanation:
Franchise is the legal right to vote and contest elections.

28. The following are the aims of election except

A. a group sticks on to power ✔

B. there is accountability of leaders
C. smooth change of government
D. people determine who rules

Explanation:
Elections are not meant to perpetuate a single group in power.

29. Politics is practically demonstrated during

A. electioneering campaigns ✔

B. parliamentary debates
C. formation of political parties
D. inter-party consultative meetings

Explanation:
Politics is evident in campaigns where power is contested.

30. An election held to fill a vacant post in the legislature due to death or resignation of a member is called

A. run-off election
B. electoral college
C. bye-election ✔

D. primary election

Explanation:
Bye-elections fill vacant seats between general elections.

31. Which of the following is a function of pressure groups?

A. Represent and protect the rich
B. protect the interest of government
C. serve as avenue for political victimization
D. provide forum for the ventilation of grievances ✔

Explanation:
Pressure groups give members a voice and advocate for their interests.

32. Public opinion is defined as the

A. aggregate views of the people ✔

B. sentiments of opposition parties
C. consensus of the mass media
D. reaction of pressure groups

Explanation:
Public opinion represents the collective attitude of the people.

33. Public opinion on the performance of a government is best measured by

A. military strength
B. general elections ✔

C. mass media
D. parliamentary debates

Explanation:
Election results reflect public satisfaction or dissatisfaction.

34. The method in which a group of people are interviewed on a specific political issue is called

A. referendum
B. individual speech
C. individual writing
D. opinion sample ✔

Explanation:
Opinion sampling collects data from a selected population on political issues.

35. The civil service is an administrative institution of

A. the executive arm of government ✔

B. public corporations
C. paramilitary organization
D. a business enterprise

Explanation:
Civil service executes government policies and administrative duties.

36. Which of the following is a feature of the civil service?

A. Disloyalty
B. impartiality ✔

C. political activism
D. temporary tenure

Explanation:
Civil servants are expected to be neutral and serve any government impartially.

37. The major source of local government revenue is

A. donations
B. income from investments
C. loans from finance institutions
D. grants from the central authority ✔

Explanation:
Local governments receive funding primarily from the central government.

38. In the pre-colonial African political system, the functions of the kingmakers were performed by

A. age grades
B. women
C. council of elders ✔

D. special people

Explanation:
Council of elders selected and advised kings in traditional systems.

39. Colonialism is defined as the

A. struggle against foreign domination
B. political struggle for independence
C. economic dependence on developed nations
D. imposition of foreign rule on a territory ✔

Explanation:
Colonialism involves one country imposing political rule over another.

40. ‘Casting vote’ was one of the ways the governor in British West Africa controlled the

A. colonial treasurer
B. colonial secretary
C. native authority
D. legislative council ✔

Explanation:
The governor could use a casting vote to influence decisions in the legislative council.