Welcome to our school exams series, where we share termly examination questions and answers across different senior secondary school subjects. In this post, we’ll focus on Government Exam Questions for SS1 First Term with Answers. These questions are prepared according to the Nigerian curriculum to help students test their knowledge, understand key concepts, and prepare effectively for WAEC, NECO, and school-based assessments.
Government is a vital subject in the Arts and Social Science departments. It helps students understand the structure, principles, and functions of political systems, as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Through the study of Government, students learn about leadership, democracy, public administration, and international relations.
The subject also enhances students’ critical thinking, civic awareness, and participation in nation-building. It serves as a foundation for higher education in political science, law, public administration, and international studies.
YOU CAN ALSO CHECK: English Language Exam Questions for JSS3 First Term
Government Exam Questions for SS1 First Term
Government Exam Questions for SS1 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 SS1 Government 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. Which organ of government is primarily responsible for making laws?
A. the legislature
B. the judiciary
C. the executive
D. the civil service
2. Which of the following is NOT an attribute of government?
A. law
B. political power
C. revenue
D. rigging of elections
3. Direct democracy is a system in which citizens _____ .
A. meet or vote directly on public issues
B. elect only kings
C. are represented only by appointed officials
D. do not participate in politics
4. The economic system that supports competition and private ownership is _____ .
A. capitalism
B. socialism
C. feudalism
D. parliamentary system
5. Which of the following is a formal source of political power?
A. the constitution
B. gerrymandering
C. salus
D. greengage
6. Which of the following is an agent of political socialisation?
A. mass media
B. gasoline stations
C. gunpowder
D. private gardens
7. Government, as an institution of the state, is a _____ .
A. system that exercises political authority
B. machinery established by the state to organise and manage public affairs
C. group that promotes private businesses
D. association for cultural activities
8. Nazism is most closely associated with _____ .
A. Adolf Hitler
B. Prof. Iyke Francis
C. Benito Mussolini
D. Karl Marx
9. Legal authority is mostly derived from the _____ .
A. constitution or legal framework
B. constituency office decorations
C. independence day celebration
D. personal wealth of leaders
10. The doctrine of popular sovereignty holds that _____ .
A. political authority derives from the people
B. authority originates solely from divine right
C. authority is the property of wealthy individuals
D. the judiciary appoints all leaders
11. Coercion means the use of _____ .
A. force to compel compliance
B. gentle persuasion only
C. ceremonial rites
D. economic incentives only
12. A feature of a communist state is _____ .
A. common ownership of the means of production
B. golden chance
C. exclusive rule by business owners
D. decentralised private banks
13. One characteristic of feudalism is _____ .
A. the holding of land in exchange for services
B. mixed economy with heavy state regulation
C. monopoly by multinational corporations
D. a one-party political system
14. Which of the following is NOT a classic source of political authority?
A. traditional authority
B. charismatic authority
C. locomotive authority
D. legal authority
15. The form of government that places power in the hands of a few is called _____ .
A. oligarchy
B. capillary system
C. totalitarianism
D. feudalism
16. Political parties perform which of the following functions?
A. aggregate interests and present candidates for office
B. regulate market prices only
C. manufacture goods
D. issue passports
17. The need for government arose primarily because people _____ .
A. live together, interact and form associations
B. wanted to form political parties only
C. preferred to travel frequently
D. liked sports competitions
18. Which of the following is a constitutional method of changing a constitution in many systems?
A. amendment by prescribed legislative process
B. unilateral decree by a minister without procedure
C. secret ballot by a single official
D. changing text with no public notice
19. A unitary system of government features _____ .
A. a single central authority with subordinate units
B. complete independence of regions
C. a confederation of sovereign states
D. two equally sovereign centres
20. Which of the following is NOT a feature of capitalism?
A. consumer sovereignty
B. production for profit
C. competitive market
D. absolute border controls
21. The following are forms of power EXCEPT _____ .
A. political power
B. economic power
C. military power
D. upper power
22. Fascism was operational historically in which country?
A. Italy
B. Imo State
C. Guinea
D. Germany
23. Civil society organisations typically include _____ .
A. NGOs, professional associations and community groups
B. only government ministries
C. private armies
D. registered political parties exclusively
24. Communalism primarily emphasises _____ .
A. collective loyalty to the community
B. individual profit maximisation
C. international trade only
D. private ownership of all land
25. Which of the following is NOT typically associated with socialism?
A. laissez-faire code of conduct
B. village communities cooperating
C. limited private ownership of landed property
D. production for social needs
26. Fascism was propounded by _____ .
A. Benito Mussolini
B. A. V. Dicey
C. I. Y. K. E. Francis
D. a modern novelist
27. Authority is the formal or legal right to _____ .
A. make decisions and enforce rules
B. punish without law
C. blackmail opponents
D. own private property
29. Federalism is characterised by _____ .
A. division of powers between central and regional governments
B. centralisation of all authority in the capital
C. a single local government system
D. the absence of regional governments
30. Legitimacy refers to _____ .
A. the acceptance and recognition of authority by the people
B. a forbidden practice
C. a philosopher’s name
D. a country’s independence day
31. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the state?
A. permanency
B. defined territory
C. population
D. school ownership by the state only
32. A sovereign state is best described as _____ .
A. a permanent and independent political entity
B. a temporary administrative unit
C. a collection of ethnic groups without borders
D. a private company
33. Feudalism is a system that centres on _____ .
A. landed property and hierarchical obligations
B. industrial manufacturing
C. modern financial markets
D. digital economies
34. One key merit of democracy is _____ .
A. legitimacy through popular consent
B. automatic wealth for all citizens
C. perpetual one-party rule
D. absence of law
35. Political culture refers to the way people behave in their _____ .
A. political activities and attitudes
B. household chores only
C. private savings
D. gardening practices
36. Power is the capacity to affect _____ .
A. another person’s behaviour by the threat or use of sanction
B. only cultural practices
C. private business profits exclusively
D. weather patterns
37. An example of a political socialisation activity is _____ .
A. civic education in schools
B. private financial audits only
C. stock market trading
D. manufacturing goods
38. In a totalitarian state there is often an absence of _____ .
A. independent civil liberties and pluralism
B. modern technology only
C. industrial capacity
D. geographical borders
39. The doctrine of separation of powers aims to _____ .
A. prevent concentration of power by dividing functions among organs
B. merge all powers into one office
C. eliminate the judiciary
D. make the military the supreme organ
40. A nation is a group of people who share common _____ .
A. historical background, language or culture
B. garden tools
C. houses only
D. private businesses
41. Which of the following best defines sovereignty?
A. supreme and final authority within a territory
B. a ceremonial title for a ruler only
C. a type of tax system
D. a municipal committee
42. Socialism is commonly associated with which thinker or leader?
A. Karl Marx
B. Baron Montesquieu
C. A. V. Dicey
D. An unrelated celebrity
43. The basic function of the executive is to _____ .
A. implement and administer laws
B. adjudicate disputes
C. draft statutes in Parliament
D. organise civil society groups
44. The basic function of the judiciary is to _____ .
A. interpret the law
B. make policy for ministries
C. collect taxes
D. lead military operations
45. Delegated authority is most commonly given to _____ .
A. individuals or institutions to act on behalf of others
B. elders only for rituals
C. private clubs
D. traders’ unions only
46. Nazism was operational in which country historically?
A. Germany     B. Nigeria
C. Togo            D. Spain
47. The bourgeoisie refers to the _____ .
A. owning or capitalist class
B. oppressed working class
C. government civil servants only
D. peasant farmers exclusively
48. The proletariat are people who _____ .
A. do not own the means of production and sell their labour
B. always live on islands
C. own large enterprises
D. are senior government officials
49. One of the foremost agents of political socialisation is the _____ .
A. family
B. local club only
C. market traders
D. private security firms
50. The following are determinants of political culture EXCEPT _____ .
A. instability
B. ethnic differences
C. historical development
D. building households
51. Which of the following is a feature of socialism?
A. public ownership of key means of production
B. code bureau
C. private hoarding of national wealth
D. absence of employment
52. A referendum is _____ .
A. a direct vote by citizens on a specific issue
B. a legislative committee meeting
C. a meeting of political party leaders only
D. a media briefing
53. An interest group is best described as _____ .
A. an organisation that seeks to influence public policy without seeking election
B. a political party seeking election to power
C. a national government department
D. a private school
54. Which of the following is a characteristic of authoritarian rule?
A. limited political pluralism and centralised control
B. free and competitive elections as the rule
C. strong civil liberties protection
D. independent media dominance
55. The bureaucracy is primarily responsible for _____ .
A. implementing government policies and administering public services
B. adjudicating legal disputes
C. passing laws in the legislature
D. leading political parties
56. Human rights are best protected by which of the following?
A. independent judiciary, free press and active civil society
B. arbitrary decrees by rulers
C. suppression of dissent only
D. closure of all NGOs
57. The rule of law requires that _____ .
A. everyone, including rulers, is subject to the law
B. only citizens obey the law
C. rulers are exempt from legal constraints
D. law changes daily without process
58. Legislation passed by Parliament becomes law after _____ .
A. assent by the appropriate authority and publication
B. announcement on social media only
C. collection of signatures without debate
D. exclusive approval by the judiciary
59. A constitutional monarchy is a system where _____ .
A. a monarch shares power with organised constitutional institutions
B. the monarch exercises absolute power without laws
C. the monarch is elected every year
D. the monarch is also the chief judge
60. Which institution is primarily responsible for defending the state from external aggression?
A. the armed forces
B. the judiciary
C. the national assembly
D. the central bank
SECTION B: Theory / Essay
INSTRUCTION – Answer only five (5) questions in this section.
1. (a) Define political culture and political socialisation.
(b) List and explain five (5) agents of political socialisation. For each agent, state one way it influences citizens’ political attitudes.
2. (a) Explain the meaning of the following political ideologies: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism and Totalitarianism.
(b) For any two of the ideologies you explained, give two historical or contemporary examples where each was practised, and briefly state one advantage and one disadvantage of each example.
3. (a) Discuss extensively the concept of sovereignty. In your answer, explain internal and external sovereignty.
(b) State four (4) limitations of the sovereignty of a modern state and illustrate each with an example.
4. (a) Define legitimacy in the context of political authority.
(b) Describe three (3) sources of political legitimacy and give one example of each.
(c) Explain two (2) consequences when political authority lacks legitimacy.
5. (a) Define Government as an academic field of study.
(b) State and explain four (4) functions of the three (3) organs of government (Legislature, Executive and Judiciary). Provide at least one clear example for each organ.
6. (a) Define feudalism.
(b) State and explain four (4) features of feudalism.
(c) Contrast feudalism briefly with capitalism in two clear points.
7. (a) Explain the doctrine of separation of powers. Why is it important in modern democratic systems?
(b) Discuss three (3) challenges to the effective working of separation of powers in developing democracies.
Answers to Government Exam Questions for SS1 First Term
Answers to Section A (Objective Test)
The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of Government exam questions for SS1 First term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.
| Q.No | Ans | Q.No | Ans | Q.No | Ans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 2 | D | 3 | A |
| 4 | A | 5 | A | 6 | A |
| 7 | B | 8 | A | 9 | A |
| 10 | A | 11 | A | 12 | A |
| 13 | A | 14 | C | 15 | A |
| 16 | A | 17 | A | 18 | A |
| 19 | A | 20 | D | 21 | D |
| 22 | A | 23 | A | 24 | A |
| 25 | A | 26 | A | 27 | A |
| 28 | A | 29 | A | 30 | A |
| 31 | D | 32 | A | 33 | A |
| 34 | A | 35 | A | 36 | A |
| 37 | A | 38 | A | 39 | A |
| 40 | A | 41 | A | 42 | A |
| 43 | A | 44 | A | 45 | A |
| 46 | A | 47 | A | 48 | A |
| 49 | A | 50 | D | 51 | A |
| 52 | A | 53 | A | 54 | A |
| 55 | A | 56 | A | 57 | A |
| 58 | A | 59 | A | 60 | A |
So here you have the answers to the objective section of Government Exam Questions for SS1 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 political culture and political socialisation.
Political culture refers to the set of attitudes, beliefs, values, and orientations that citizens have towards politics and the political system. It includes how people view government, authority, participation, and national identity.
Political socialisation is the process through which individuals acquire political beliefs, values, and behaviours. It is how citizens learn about politics, develop political opinions, and form attitudes toward their leaders and institutions.
(b) Five (5) Agents of Political Socialisation and How They Influence Citizens:
- Family:Â The family is the first and most important agent. Children learn political loyalty, respect for authority, and civic responsibility from their parents and guardians.
- School:Â Schools teach civic education and government studies, which help students understand their political rights and duties.
- Mass Media:Â Television, radio, newspapers, and social media inform citizens about government policies and political events, shaping their opinions and attitudes.
- Peer Groups: Friends and social groups influence individuals’ political discussions and choices, especially among youths.
- Religious Institutions: Churches and mosques often preach about moral leadership and justice, which affect people’s political behaviour and expectations of leaders.
2. (a) Political Ideologies Explained
Communism:Â A system where all means of production are owned collectively, and wealth is shared equally to eliminate social classes.
Socialism:Â A system where the government controls major industries and resources, while private ownership may exist in minor sectors.
Capitalism:Â An economic and political system based on private ownership of property and free competition in the market.
Totalitarianism: A political system in which the government exercises absolute control over every aspect of citizens’ lives, often under a single leader or party.
(b) Examples, Advantages, and Disadvantages
- Communism: Practised in the former Soviet Union and currently in China. Advantage: Promotes equality and eliminates class differences.Disadvantage: Discourages individual enterprise and innovation.
- Capitalism:Â Practised in the United States and Japan.Advantage:Â Encourages competition and economic growth.Disadvantage:Â Leads to inequality and exploitation of workers.
3. (a) Concept of Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the supreme and absolute power of a state to make and enforce laws within its territory without external interference. It signifies the independence and authority of a state.
Internal sovereignty refers to the power of the state over all individuals and groups within its territory.
External sovereignty means the freedom of a state from control or interference by other states in its internal affairs.
(b) Limitations of Sovereignty
- Membership in International Organisations:Â States like Nigeria must obey rules of the United Nations.
- Globalisation: International trade and technology limit a state’s control over its economy.
- Treaties and Alliances:Â Nations surrender some powers when they sign international agreements.
- Internal Rebellion or Civil Unrest: When citizens challenge the government’s authority, sovereignty is weakened.
4. (a) Definition of Legitimacy
Legitimacy is the acceptance and recognition of a government’s authority by the people. It means the citizens believe that their rulers have the right to govern.
(b) Sources of Political Legitimacy
- Traditional Legitimacy:Â Based on customs and long-established practices, e.g., monarchies like the British royal family.
- Legal-Rational Legitimacy:Â Derived from a constitution or laws, as seen in democratic governments.
- Charismatic Legitimacy:Â Based on the personal appeal and leadership qualities of a leader, e.g., Nelson Mandela.
(c) Consequences of Lack of Legitimacy
- Political instability and frequent protests.
- Loss of trust and poor compliance with government policies.
5. (a) Government as an Academic Field of Study
Government is the study of political institutions, processes, and the behaviour of people in relation to the state. It helps students understand how power is acquired, used, and controlled in society.
(b) Functions of the Three Organs of Government
- Legislature:Â Makes laws for the good governance of the state. Example: The National Assembly of Nigeria.
- Executive:Â Implements laws and formulates policies. Example: The President and his ministers.
- Judiciary:Â Interprets laws and ensures justice. Example: The Supreme Court of Nigeria.
- Checks and Balances:Â Each organ limits the power of the others to prevent abuse of authority.
6. (a) Definition of Feudalism
Feudalism was a medieval political and economic system in which land was owned by lords who allowed vassals to use it in exchange for loyalty and service.
(b) Features of Feudalism
- Ownership of land was the basis of power and wealth.
- The king granted land to nobles who swore loyalty to him.
- Peasants worked the land and paid taxes to their lords.
- There was a strict social hierarchy with little mobility.
(c) Differences between Feudalism and Capitalism
- Feudalism is based on land ownership, while capitalism is based on private ownership and capital investment.
- Feudalism restricts social mobility; capitalism allows individuals to rise through hard work and innovation.
7. (a) Doctrine of Separation of Powers
The doctrine of separation of powers is a principle that divides government responsibilities among the legislature, executive, and judiciary to prevent the concentration of power in one branch. It ensures checks and balances in governance.
Importance: It promotes accountability, protects citizens’ rights, and strengthens democracy.
(b) Challenges to the Doctrine in Developing Democracies
- Political Interference:Â The executive often interferes with the judiciary and legislature.
- Corruption:Â Bribery and undue influence weaken institutional independence.
- Weak Institutions:Â Lack of resources and enforcement capacity hinders true separation of powers.
