WAEC Government 2017 past questions
Ten questions from the 2017 WAEC Government paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 50 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.
WAEC Government 2017 questions and answers
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1.Which of the following is not a method used by pressure groups to achieve their objectives?
- AContesting electionsCorrect
- BOrganizing strikes
- CUsing propaganda and media campaigns
- DLobbying legislators
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Answer: A
Contesting elections is not a method used by pressure groups. Pressure groups seek to influence government decisions from outside the formal political structure and do not put forward candidates for public office. Contesting elections is the function of political parties. Pressure groups instead rely on lobbying, strikes, propaganda, and public demonstrations to pursue their goals.
- A
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2.Bicameralism is necessary in a federal state to demonstrate that __________
- AThe federating units are equally represented in the upper houseCorrect
- BThe head of state holds supreme legislative authority
- CThe judiciary operates independently of both legislative chambers
- DAll elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner
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Answer: A
Bicameralism in a federal state serves to ensure that the federating units are equally represented in the upper legislative chamber regardless of their population size. In the Senate or equivalent body, each component state or region holds equal seats, affirming the federal principle that all constituent units are equal partners in the union.
- A
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3.Which of the following countries practiced totalitarianism?
- AUnited Kingdom
- BCanada
- CNazi GermanyCorrect
- DUnited States of America
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Answer: C
Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler is a classic example of a totalitarian state. The government exercised total control over all aspects of public and private life, suppressed political opposition, and used propaganda and terror to maintain absolute power. The USA, UK, and Canada are liberal democracies that respect individual rights and freedoms.
- A
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4.Which of the following statements about public corporation is not true?
- AThey are established primarily to maximize profit for shareholdersCorrect
- BThey provide essential services to the public
- CThey are accountable to the government and the legislature
- DThey are owned and controlled by the government
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Answer: A
Public corporations are government-owned enterprises established primarily to provide essential services to the public, not to generate profit for shareholders. Unlike private companies, they do not have private shareholders, and their main objective is public service rather than profit maximization.
- A
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5.Colonial administration in West Africa was a result of
- AThe Berlin Conference of 1884–1885Correct
- BDemands made by West African trade unions
- CVoluntary treaties freely signed by African rulers
- DRequests from Christian missionary organizations
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Answer: A
Colonial administration in West Africa was formally established following the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, at which European powers carved up Africa among themselves. The conference laid the rules for effective occupation of African territories, setting in motion the scramble for Africa and the imposition of formal colonial rule across the continent.
- A
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6.The rights of citizens to benefit from public utility is classified as
- APolitical rights
- BSocial rightsCorrect
- CCivil rights
- DNatural rights
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Answer: B
Social rights (also called socio-economic rights) cover the entitlement of citizens to benefit from public utilities and services such as healthcare, education, water, electricity, and housing provided or regulated by the state. These rights ensure a minimum standard of welfare for all members of society.
- A
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7.According to Karl Max, socialism developed as a consequence of the evils of ________
- ATotalitarianism
- BCapitalismCorrect
- CFeudalism
- DCommunism
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Answer: B
Karl Marx argued that capitalism, with its exploitation of the working class (proletariat) by the owners of production (bourgeoisie), created deep economic inequalities and social injustices. He theorized that socialism would emerge as workers became conscious of their oppression and sought to overthrow the capitalist system.
- A
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8.Provision of political education through rallies and newspapers is a function of _________
- AThe legislature
- BThe judiciary
- CPolitical partiesCorrect
- DThe civil service
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Answer: C
Political parties perform the function of political education by using rallies, campaigns, manifestos, and newspapers to inform and enlighten citizens about political issues, governance, and electoral processes. This helps to create an informed electorate capable of making meaningful political choices.
- A
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9.Which of the following is not a feature of a state?
- ASovereignty
- BConstitutionCorrect
- CTerritory
- DPopulation
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Answer: B
The four essential elements of a state are population, territory, government, and sovereignty. A constitution, while important for defining how a state is governed, is not one of the fundamental elements — a state can exist without a written or codified constitution, as demonstrated by countries like the United Kingdom.
- A
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10.Which of the following is a fundamental right? Right to
- AAcquire a university degree
- BReceive free gifts
- COwn a private business
- DPersonal libertyCorrect
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Answer: D
The right to personal liberty is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. It protects individuals from arbitrary arrest and detention and ensures that no person shall be deprived of their liberty except in accordance with a procedure permitted by law.
- A
The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check
Spotted a wrong answer? Tell us from the app or on the contact page and we check it.
Practise all 50 questions we hold from the 2017 paper, on a timed CBT screen
Every question has the answer and an explanation, in the Skolra app.