WASSCE Government · Paper 1 style

Political parties

One sample question with the full working. 6 more in the app, with instant feedback and repair sessions for the traps below.

A two-party system is one in which

Atwo major parties dominate and alternate in power
Bmany parties form coalitions regularly
Conly two parties are legally allowed
Done party rules permanently

Show the answer and working

Answer: A

E.g. the USA (Democrats and Republicans); minor parties may exist.

Trap B Describes a different system of government: Learn each classification as a table with one defining feature per type (parliamentary: fused executive and legislature; confederation: units keep sovereignty) and match the stem to that feature.

Trap C Reverses the principle or its effect: Ask what problem the principle is meant to solve; the right answer serves that purpose, the reversal defeats it.

Trap D Describes a different system of government: Learn each classification as a table with one defining feature per type (parliamentary: fused executive and legislature; confederation: units keep sovereignty) and match the stem to that feature.

Traps in Political parties

Describes a different system of government
Learn each classification as a table with one defining feature per type (parliamentary: fused executive and legislature; confederation: units keep sovereignty) and match the stem to that feature.
Reverses the principle or its effect
Ask what problem the principle is meant to solve; the right answer serves that purpose, the reversal defeats it.
Misunderstands judicial independence
Independence is secured by security of tenure, salaries charged on the consolidated fund, appointment through a judicial service commission, and immunity for judicial acts.
Confuses electoral systems and bodies
Franchise = right to vote. First-past-the-post: highest votes wins a constituency. Proportional representation: seats in proportion to votes.
Misunderstands features of civil service
Civil service: permanence, neutrality, anonymity, impartiality, recruitment on merit.
Confuses federal and unitary systems
Federal: powers divided CONSTITUTIONALLY between centre and units (Nigeria, USA). Unitary: power concentrated at the centre, which may delegate (Ghana, UK).
Picks a closely related concept
Learn related terms as contrasting pairs with one-line definitions, then identify which one the stem describes.
Mixes types of constitution
Rigid = special procedure to amend (e.g. Nigeria). Flexible = amended like ordinary law (UK). Written = in a single document. Unwritten = conventions, statutes, case law.
Gives only one part of the concept
Recall the full definition and check the option covers it, not just one component.

Practise Political parties (6 questions)Send to your class on WhatsApp