Examination on History
Class: JSS 1
Term: Third Term
Time: 1 Hour
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: OBJECTIVES (40 Marks)
Instruction: Answer all questions.

1. ________ is the term for a pre-colonial state with a strong central government. (a) Centralized state (b) Decentralized state (c) City-state (d) Kingdom
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of centralized states? (a) Lack of defined territory (b) Strong central government (c) Absence of taxation (d) Weak military
3. The main reason for the significance of Igbo-Ukwu culture is its ________. (a) agricultural practices (b) advanced bronze casting (c) pottery making (d) fishing activities
4. Igbo-Ukwu is located in the present-day ________ State of Nigeria. (a) Enugu (b) Anambra (c) Imo (d) Abia
5. An example of an artifact found at Igbo-Ukwu is ________. (a) Terra cotta heads (b) Bronze objects (c) Iron tools (d) Stone sculptures
6. All of these are examples of centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria except ________. (a) Oyo Empire (b) Igbo-Ukwu (c) Benin Empire (d) Hausa States
7. Which is NOT an occupational activity of the people of Igbo-Ukwu? (a) Bronze casting (b) Farming (c) Pottery (d) Mining for coal
8. ________ refers to the style and practices of the ancient people of Igbo-Ukwu. (a) Nok culture (b) Igbo-Ukwu culture (c) Benin culture (d) Ife culture
9. The political system of centralized states is often characterized by a ________ ruler or council. (a) democratic (b) localized (c) hierarchical (d) independent
10. Which of these is not a characteristic of centralized states? (a) Defined territory (b) Organized military (c) Absence of taxation (d) Hierarchical political structure
11. The correct step in identifying a centralized state is to look for ________. (a) independent villages (b) a strong central authority (c) small, self-governing communities (d) a nomadic lifestyle
12. ________ is a major pre-colonial centralized state found in the South-Western part of Nigeria. (a) Kanem-Borno (b) Nupe Kingdom (c) Oyo Empire (d) Igala Kingdom
13. The artifacts of Igbo-Ukwu mainly include objects made from ________. (a) iron (b) bronze (c) stone (d) wood
14. Which of the following pre-colonial states was known for its powerful cavalry? (a) Oyo Empire (b) Benin Empire (c) Kanem-Borno (d) Igala Kingdom
15. The meaning of Igbo-Ukwu culture is deeply connected to its ________. (a) advanced agricultural techniques (b) rich artistic traditions (c) extensive trade routes (d) military prowess
16. All of these are features of centralized states except ________. (a) a well-defined territory (b) a system of taxation (c) a strong central government (d) autonomous village governance
17. Which is NOT a centralized state? (a) Calabar (b) Niger Delta City-States (c) Igbo-Ukwu (d) Hausa States
18. The people of Igbo-Ukwu are primarily of ________ ethnic origin. (a) Yoruba (b) Edo (c) Igbo (d) Fulani
19. The main reason for the flourishing of trade in centralized states was ________. (a) lack of natural resources (b) strong political stability (c) absence of market places (d) nomadic lifestyle
20. An example of a centralized state in the present-day Edo State is the ________. (a) Oyo Empire (b) Benin Empire (c) Nupe Kingdom (d) Kanem-Borno
21. ________ is considered one of the earliest sites of bronze casting in West Africa. (a) Ife (b) Benin (c) Igbo-Ukwu (d) Nok
22. The term “centralized state” implies that power is concentrated in a ________. (a) single individual or small group (b) council of elders (c) dispersed collection of villages (d) democratic assembly
23. Which of the following played a significant role in the economy of Igbo-Ukwu? (a) Gold mining (b) Fishing (c) Trade (d) Hunting
24. The significance of Igbo-Ukwu culture in Nigerian history is evident in its contribution to ________. (a) modern architecture (b) ancient metallurgy (c) contemporary politics (d) colonial administration
25. All of these are characteristics of centralized states except ________. (a) an organized military (b) a system of justice (c) absence of a clear leader (d) a defined administrative structure
26. Which of these is not an example of a centralized state? (a) Igala Kingdom (b) Calabar (c) Igbo-Ukwu (d) Nupe Kingdom
27. The main reason for the discovery of Igbo-Ukwu artifacts was ________. (a) archaeological excavation (b) accidental discovery by a farmer (c) colonial exploration (d) trade expeditions
28. The ________ is known for its elaborate bronze artwork and royal regalia. (a) Nupe Kingdom (b) Benin Empire (c) Hausa States (d) Kanem-Borno
29. Which of the following is true about the location of Igbo-Ukwu? (a) It is in Northern Nigeria (b) It is in Eastern Nigeria (c) It is in Western Nigeria (d) It is in the Niger Delta region
30. The people of Igbo-Ukwu were skilled in producing intricate artifacts from ________. (a) iron and steel (b) bronze and copper (c) gold and silver (d) clay and wood
31. The main occupation of the people of Igbo-Ukwu included ________. (a) hunting and gathering (b) fishing and boat building (c) farming and bronze casting (d) cattle rearing and weaving
32. Which is NOT a feature of the Oyo Empire? (a) Powerful Alafin (b) Strong cavalry (c) Located in the South-West (d) Absence of a central authority
33. The correct step in understanding pre-colonial centralized states is to identify their ________. (a) modern boundaries (b) political structures and institutions (c) current economic activities (d) colonial influences
34. ________ is a collection of decentralized communities, not a centralized state. (a) Benin Empire (b) Oyo Empire (c) Igbo-Ukwu (d) Kanem-Borno
35. The characteristics of centralized states often include a system of ________ to maintain order. (a) communal decision-making (b) law and justice (c) individual autonomy (d) nomadic movements
36. Which of these is not a significant artifact from Igbo-Ukwu? (a) Bronze vessels (b) Copper objects (c) Glass beads (d) Stone axes
37. The main reason for the power of the Kanem-Borno Empire was its control over ________. (a) agricultural lands (b) trans-Saharan trade routes (c) coastal ports (d) abundant mineral resources
38. An example of a Niger Delta City-State is ________. (a) Ife (b) Old Calabar (c) Bonny (d) Benin
39. The meaning of a centralized state involves a government that exercises ________ authority over its territory. (a) limited (b) absolute (c) indirect (d) ceremonial
40. All of these are characteristics of the Nupe Kingdom except ________. (a) located along the Niger River (b) known for its cavalry (c) had a strong central ruler (d) was a completely decentralized society

SECTION B: THEORY (30 Marks)
Instruction: Answer any THREE questions.

1. (a) Where is Igbo-Ukwu located on the map of Nigeria? (2 marks)
(b) Describe the meaning and significance of the Igbo-Ukwu culture. (3 marks)
(c) List and briefly explain three occupational activities of the people of Igbo-Ukwu. (3 marks)
(d) Name two prominent types of artifacts associated with Igbo-Ukwu. (2 marks)

2. (a) Define what is meant by a “centralized state” in pre-colonial Nigeria. (2 marks)
(b) State three distinct characteristics of centralized states. (3 marks)
(c) Name four examples of major centralized states in pre-colonial Nigeria. (3 marks)
(d) Explain how a centralized state differs from a decentralized community. (2 marks)

3. (a) Identify the ethnic group associated with the ancient Igbo-Ukwu culture. (2 marks)
(b) Discuss the importance of the Benin Empire as a centralized state in pre-colonial Nigeria. (3 marks)
(c) How did the advanced bronze casting technology of Igbo-Ukwu contribute to its significance? (3 marks)
(d) Name two centralized states located in the Northern part of Nigeria. (2 marks)

4. (a) What was the primary source of power for the Oyo Empire? (2 marks)
(b) Describe two ways the Igbo-Ukwu culture has contributed to Nigerian history. (3 marks)
(c) Explain the role of trade in the economic activities of the people of Igbo-Ukwu. (3 marks)
(d) List two characteristics that distinguish the Nupe Kingdom from the Niger Delta City-States. (2 marks)

Objective Marking Scheme

Question 1 – ✅ (a) Centralized state
Question 2 – ✅ (b) Strong central government
Question 3 – ✅ (b) advanced bronze casting
Question 4 – ✅ (b) Anambra
Question 5 – ✅ (b) Bronze objects
Question 6 – ✅ (b) Igbo-Ukwu
Question 7 – ✅ (d) Mining for coal
Question 8 – ✅ (b) Igbo-Ukwu culture
Question 9 – ✅ (c) hierarchical
Question 10 – ✅ (c) Absence of taxation
Question 11 – ✅ (b) a strong central authority
Question 12 – ✅ (c) Oyo Empire
Question 13 – ✅ (b) bronze
Question 14 – ✅ (c) Kanem-Borno
Question 15 – ✅ (b) rich artistic traditions
Question 16 – ✅ (d) autonomous village governance
Question 17 – ✅ (c) Igbo-Ukwu
Question 18 – ✅ (c) Igbo
Question 19 – ✅ (b) strong political stability
Question 20 – ✅ (b) Benin Empire
Question 21 – ✅ (c) Igbo-Ukwu
Question 22 – ✅ (a) single individual or small group
Question 23 – ✅ (c) Trade
Question 24 – ✅ (b) ancient metallurgy
Question 25 – ✅ (c) absence of a clear leader
Question 26 – ✅ (c) Igbo-Ukwu
Question 27 – ✅ (b) accidental discovery by a farmer
Question 28 – ✅ (b) Benin Empire
Question 29 – ✅ (b) It is in Eastern Nigeria
Question 30 – ✅ (b) bronze and copper
Question 31 – ✅ (c) farming and bronze casting
Question 32 – ✅ (d) Absence of a central authority
Question 33 – ✅ (b) political structures and institutions
Question 34 – ✅ (c) Igbo-Ukwu
Question 35 – ✅ (b) law and justice
Question 36 – ✅ (d) Stone axes
Question 37 – ✅ (b) trans-Saharan trade routes
Question 38 – ✅ (c) Bonny
Question 39 – ✅ (b) absolute
Question 40 – ✅ (d) was a completely decentralized society