New Curriculum Second Term Government examination for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Second Term
Subject: Government
Time: 2 hours
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: OBJECTIVES (40 Marks)
Instruction: Answer all 40 questions. Each question carries 1 mark.
Comparative institutional evidence: The following two arrangements are hypothetical. Model A delegates powers from a national law-making centre to districts. Model B assigns national and regional powers directly in a constitution. Use the evidence when considering the unitary and federal questions below.

1. A dispute arises over whether a matter belongs to state or federal authority. Which institution is most suited to interpret constitutional allocations? (a) a trade union acting alone    (b) an independent court empowered to interpret the constitution    (c) an informal market association    (d) the personal cabinet of one governor
2. Which risk most often weakens a confederal union? (a) all members lose sovereignty immediately    (b) the joint council can always override member constitutions    (c) common decisions may be difficult to enforce against unwilling members    (d) regional autonomy is constitutionally impossible
3. Which characteristic can a republic share with a constitutional monarchy? (a) absence of representative institutions    (b) hereditary succession to every public office    (c) unrestricted appointment without constitutional controls    (d) a limited executive under enforceable law
4. What would most clearly breach the separation-of-powers principle? (a) the executive independently tries and sentences its political critics    (b) courts interpret laws enacted by legislators    (c) ministers administer authorised programmes    (d) parliament scrutinises a proposed budget
5. How does constitutional monarchy differ most substantially from absolute monarchy? (a) whether elections are held in other countries    (b) whether citizens live in towns or villages    (c) whether traditions influence ceremonial life    (d) whether the monarch’s powers are constrained by law and institutions
6. A minister spends public funds without lawful authorisation. Which check is most relevant? (a) abolition of administrative records    (b) exclusive control by a private trade association    (c) legislative budget scrutiny and lawful audit    (d) hereditary privilege over appropriations
7. All these support joining a confederation EXCEPT ________. (a) eliminating every member’s independent decision-making powers    (b) cooperating on trade    (c) pooling some defence arrangements    (d) coordinating cross-border projects
8. What arrangement most helps a diverse federation preserve both regional autonomy and a common national identity? (a) giving one region complete control of every other    (b) abolishing constitutional conflict-resolution mechanisms    (c) combining regional self-rule with shared national institutions    (d) requiring every community to adopt identical local practices
9. ________ describes a political order in which public offices are held under constitutional rather than dynastic entitlement. (a) Oligarchy    (b) Republicanism    (c) Feudalism    (d) Absolute monarchy
10. Beyond voting, what condition makes government by elected representatives politically meaningful? (a) are immune from electoral challenge    (b) may disregard all constitutional obligations    (c) report exclusively to private donors    (d) can be held publicly accountable for decisions
11. A cabinet resigns after losing parliamentary support. What form of ministerial responsibility is illustrated? (a) judicial selection of every minister    (b) executive responsibility to the legislature in parliamentary government    (c) hereditary rotation of the prime minister    (d) fixed-term independence of the presidential executive
12. Which legislative action most directly protects public accountability? (a) allowing decrees to replace every bill automatically    (b) removing public reporting on appropriations    (c) giving permanent immunity to all executive programmes    (d) questioning ministers and examining public expenditure
13. Which of the following most clearly indicates totalitarian control rather than merely strong executive authority? (a) a legislature debating public spending    (b) independent parties submitting rival electoral manifestos    (c) a court reviewing ministerial powers    (d) a ruling party directing newspapers, unions, schools and opposition under one ideology
14. The main reason for separating government powers is to ________. (a) guarantee branches never cooperate    (b) abolish every form of executive administration    (c) reduce unchecked concentration of authority    (d) make elections unnecessary
15. Local councils administer national laws but have no independent constitutional legislative powers. Which governing structure fits this arrangement? (a) unitary, with powers ultimately derived from the centre    (b) federal, with constitutionally separate sovereignty    (c) a group of entirely independent republics    (d) confederal, with an optional common authority
16. The head of state holds office by a constitutional selection process, not by inherited entitlement. Which political ideal is illustrated? (a) confederal secession    (b) feudal tenure    (c) republicanism    (d) hereditary absolute monarchy
17. A president has a constitutionally fixed term independent of parliamentary confidence. Identify the executive model. (a) a confederal trade secretariat    (b) a presidential system    (c) a parliamentary ministry dependent on confidence votes    (d) hereditary executive succession
18. All the following are legislative functions EXCEPT ________. (a) law-making    (b) oversight of public institutions    (c) budget authorisation    (d) direct management of every police operation
19. A district claims its delegated powers cannot ever be modified by national legislation. Why is that claim doubtful in a unitary structure? (a) the centre has no responsibility for territorial policy    (b) devolution is generally subordinate to central legal authority    (c) the court must abolish the national government    (d) local offices are always independent sovereign states
20. When ministries administer an approved education programme, which branch of government is performing the task? (a) the electoral opposition    (b) the executive branch    (c) a court of final appeal    (d) the legislature in committee
21. A constitutional court annuls an unlawful executive directive. Identify the principle at work. (a) checks and balances among branches    (b) executive supremacy above the constitution    (c) the complete merger of courts and cabinet    (d) the abolition of representative institutions
22. A hereditary monarch must act under constitutional limits and an elected parliament. What model of monarchy is this? (a) absolute monarchy    (b) confederal presidency    (c) constitutional monarchy    (d) presidential republic
23. Several independent states establish a limited common council. Which form of political union have they created? (a) a centrally administered monarchy    (b) a unitary state    (c) a single-party dictatorship    (d) a confederation
24. When a second chamber delays passage of a bill, what institutional advantage does the delay potentially represent? (a) the additional review possible in bicameral lawmaking    (b) the transfer of all lawmaking to the judiciary    (c) the absence of representative debate    (d) the abolition of legislative scrutiny
25. Which is NOT a typical parliamentary feature? (a) a cabinet drawn from or accountable to the legislature    (b) the possibility of a no-confidence motion    (c) a head of government insulated from legislative confidence throughout a fixed term    (d) collective ministerial responsibility
26. The correct next step when a government announces a policy for public agencies to implement is to ________. (a) assign responsibilities, resources and implementation timelines    (b) declare that no implementation plan is necessary    (c) abolish legislative oversight of expenditure    (d) transfer every administrative duty to opposition parties
27. A confederal member refuses a jointly agreed payment without legal consequence. What weakness does this reveal? (a) the fragility of confederal coordination    (b) the certainty of central legislative supremacy    (c) the absence of any state sovereignty    (d) automatic judicial independence in a federation
28. All these are features often associated with totalitarian rule EXCEPT ________. (a) restricted media independence    (b) independent opposition organising freely    (c) ideological mobilisation    (d) extensive surveillance of dissent
29. What is a plausible constitutional value of a ceremonial monarchy that does not control daily government? (a) unlimited hereditary veto over all courts    (b) guaranteed absence of political disagreement    (c) symbolic continuity without directing daily party policy    (d) removal of constitutional constraints on rulers
30. A constitution protects both state and national lawmaking competences. What structure is being described? (a) federalism    (b) deconcentrated unitary administration    (c) a loose voluntary alliance    (d) an absolute monarchy
31. During a nationwide emergency, why might supporters favour a unitary political structure? (a) separate constitutional sovereignty for each region    (b) coordinated action under one supreme legislative authority    (c) unrestricted power to withdraw from the union    (d) independent regional foreign policies
32. How should discretionary executive appointments be supervised to reduce abuses of public office? (a) allowing only political loyalists to inspect accounts    (b) transparent legal procedures and appropriate institutional oversight    (c) refusing any legislative investigation    (d) removing all reporting obligations
33. In a republic, what ultimately establishes the accountability of public office rather than dynastic status? (a) the abolition of judicial oversight    (b) ownership of ancestral palace lands    (c) public constitutional institutions rather than hereditary entitlement    (d) permanent aristocratic privilege
34. Two legislative chambers must consider and reconcile a proposed law. Which legislative structure is involved? (a) unicameral legislature    (b) confederal court    (c) bicameral legislature    (d) single-person executive
35. Which statement about local administration under unitary government is NOT necessarily true? (a) retains ultimate legislative supremacy at the centre    (b) may standardise national services    (c) can delegate functions to local councils    (d) has no local administrative authorities
36. A regime requires ideological conformity in schools and media. What risk does this create for civic freedom? (a) suppression of plural viewpoints and civil liberty    (b) reduction of any need for enforcement    (c) guaranteed right to criticise official doctrine    (d) permanent legal protection for dissenters
37. A president and legislature disagree over major spending legislation. Which risk follows from this divided political control? (a) complete removal of legislative oversight    (b) necessary fusion of all executive and legislative offices    (c) automatic collapse after every adverse parliamentary vote    (d) institutional deadlock over legislation and budgets
38. The ________ of revenues and responsibilities is a central challenge in federal resource allocation. (a) distribution    (b) militarisation    (c) privatisation    (d) abolition
39. A hereditary ruler appoints ministers without a legislature’s oversight. What problem is most likely? (a) complete separation between the ruler and the executive    (b) automatic legislative control over ministers    (c) mandatory direct elections for every appointment    (d) concentration of executive power with weak accountability
40. Which difference most sharply separates totalitarianism from an ordinary strong executive? (a) it uses a national budget to fund services    (b) it seeks pervasive control over social life and dissent    (c) it has laws regulating public administration    (d) it appoints ministers to oversee departments

SECTION B: THEORY (30 Marks)
Instruction: Answer Question 1 and any other TWO questions. Each question carries 10 marks.

Question 1: The structure of territorial government (10 Marks)
(a) Distinguish unitary, federal and confederal systems by identifying where ultimate authority resides and how members obtain powers. (6 marks)
(b) A regional government challenges a national education rule. State two pieces of constitutional information a court would need to settle a federal competence dispute. (4 marks)

Question 2: Executive and legislative accountability (10 Marks)
(a) Compare the selection and tenure of the chief executive under presidential and parliamentary systems. (4 marks)
(b) A committee finds that a minister spent public money without approval. Explain three lawful legislative or institutional checks available. (6 marks)

Question 3: Monarchy, republicanism and representative institutions (10 Marks)
(a) Distinguish absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy and republicanism. (6 marks)
(b) Give two reasons citizens may prefer constitutional limits even when a ruler enjoys high popularity. (4 marks)

Question 4: Separation of powers and representation (10 Marks)
(a) Identify three branches of government and match each to a central function. (3 marks)
(b) A president orders the arrest and sentencing of outspoken legislators without trial. Analyse the constitutional problems and describe two appropriate checks. (7 marks)

Objective Marking Scheme
Question 1 – ✅ (b) an independent court empowered to interpret the constitution
Question 2 – ✅ (c) common decisions may be difficult to enforce against unwilling members
Question 3 – ✅ (d) a limited executive under enforceable law
Question 4 – ✅ (a) the executive independently tries and sentences its political critics
Question 5 – ✅ (d) whether the monarch’s powers are constrained by law and institutions
Question 6 – ✅ (c) legislative budget scrutiny and lawful audit
Question 7 – ✅ (a) eliminating every member’s independent decision-making powers
Question 8 – ✅ (c) combining regional self-rule with shared national institutions
Question 9 – ✅ (b) Republicanism
Question 10 – ✅ (d) can be held publicly accountable for decisions
Question 11 – ✅ (b) executive responsibility to the legislature in parliamentary government
Question 12 – ✅ (d) questioning ministers and examining public expenditure
Question 13 – ✅ (d) a ruling party directing newspapers, unions, schools and opposition under one ideology
Question 14 – ✅ (c) reduce unchecked concentration of authority
Question 15 – ✅ (a) unitary, with powers ultimately derived from the centre
Question 16 – ✅ (c) republicanism
Question 17 – ✅ (b) a presidential system
Question 18 – ✅ (d) direct management of every police operation
Question 19 – ✅ (b) devolution is generally subordinate to central legal authority
Question 20 – ✅ (b) the executive branch
Question 21 – ✅ (a) checks and balances among branches
Question 22 – ✅ (c) constitutional monarchy
Question 23 – ✅ (d) a confederation
Question 24 – ✅ (a) the additional review possible in bicameral lawmaking
Question 25 – ✅ (c) a head of government insulated from legislative confidence throughout a fixed term
Question 26 – ✅ (a) assign responsibilities, resources and implementation timelines
Question 27 – ✅ (a) the fragility of confederal coordination
Question 28 – ✅ (b) independent opposition organising freely
Question 29 – ✅ (c) symbolic continuity without directing daily party policy
Question 30 – ✅ (a) federalism
Question 31 – ✅ (b) coordinated action under one supreme legislative authority
Question 32 – ✅ (b) transparent legal procedures and appropriate institutional oversight
Question 33 – ✅ (c) public constitutional institutions rather than hereditary entitlement
Question 34 – ✅ (c) bicameral legislature
Question 35 – ✅ (d) has no local administrative authorities
Question 36 – ✅ (a) suppression of plural viewpoints and civil liberty
Question 37 – ✅ (d) institutional deadlock over legislation and budgets
Question 38 – ✅ (a) distribution
Question 39 – ✅ (d) concentration of executive power with weak accountability
Question 40 – ✅ (b) it seeks pervasive control over social life and dissent

Theory Marking Scheme

Question 1 — The structure of territorial government
(a) Each 2 marks: unitary central legislative supremacy and delegated authority; federal constitutionally shared powers; confederal independent states retain predominant sovereignty and limited joint institutions. [6 marks]
(b) Relevant division of powers/schedules (2) and applicable supremacy, concurrent or conflict-resolution clauses (2). [4 marks]

Question 2 — Executive and legislative accountability
(a) Presidential separately elected fixed-term executive (2); parliamentary executive relies on legislative confidence, with possible resignation after defeat (2). [4 marks]
(b) Any three explained at 2 each: question minister, audit/reports, budget control, committee inquiry, judicial referral/constitutional scrutiny within powers. [6 marks]

Question 3 — Monarchy, republicanism and representative institutions
(a) 2 each: broad hereditary personal ruling power; constrained usually hereditary monarch with constitutional government; non-hereditary public constitutional headship/offices. [6 marks]
(b) Any two reasoned at 2 marks: prevent arbitrary power, predictability, minority protections, lawful succession/oversight. [4 marks]

Question 4 — Separation of powers and representation
(a) Legislature enacts laws; executive implements/administers; judiciary interprets/adjudicates, 1 each. [3 marks]
(b) Separation of powers/due process (3); independent judicial review (2); legislative oversight or enforceable rights remedies (2). [7 marks]