West African Examinations Council
WASSCE Government · Paper 2 — Essay
Written answers, marked against a rubric.
8 exam-style questions, written to the West African Examinations Council format and free to read. The answers are here too — what they do not tell you is how many you would get right with a clock running.
1. (a) Explain the term federalism. [4 marks]
(b) State five reasons for the adoption of a federal system of government in Nigeria. [10 marks]
(c) Outline three problems associated with the practice of federalism in Nigeria. [6 marks]
2. (a) Define an electoral system. [3 marks]
(b) Explain five functions of an electoral commission, using the Independent National Electoral Commission as your reference. [10 marks]
(c) State four conditions necessary for a free and fair election. [7 marks]
3. (a) Define a political party. [3 marks]
(b) State and explain five functions performed by political parties in a democracy. [10 marks]
(c) Outline four problems facing political parties in Nigeria. [7 marks]
4. (a) What is meant by foreign policy? [3 marks]
(b) State and explain five factors that determine the foreign policy of a state. [10 marks]
(c) Outline four objectives of Nigeria's foreign policy since independence. [7 marks]
5. (a) Define the term sovereignty. [4 marks]
(b) Outline five limitations to the exercise of state sovereignty in the modern world. [10 marks]
(c) Distinguish between internal and external sovereignty. [6 marks]
6. (a) What is meant by the separation of powers? [4 marks]
(b) State and explain five functions of the legislature in a democratic state. [10 marks]
(c) Explain how the doctrine of checks and balances operates between the executive and the legislature. [6 marks]
Reading these is not the same as sitting them.
Every question above is answerable given time. The exam does not give you time. Sit the whole paper on the real clock and the number you get back is the one that means something.
Sit it against the clock — freeExampaper is an independent study service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WAEC, NECO, JAMB or any examination body. Exam names and subject titles are used only to describe what each paper is for.