BECE 2008 Social Studies Past Questions and Answers
Answer all questions in this section.
Each question is followed by four options lettered A to D. Find the correct answer for each question.
1. The primary reason for the arrival of the British to the Gold Coast was to
Solution: The British were primarily attracted to the Gold Coast due to its abundant gold resources, which drove their trade interests before colonial rule was established.
2. According to oral tradition, the Ga-Adangbe migrated from
Solution: Oral traditions indicate that the Ga-Adangbe people migrated from Eastern Nigeria, specifically areas around the Niger Delta, before settling in present-day Ghana.
3. The first missionaries to introduce secondary education in Ghana were the
Solution: The Basel Missionaries were the first to establish secondary education in Ghana, notably through institutions like the Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School in the 19th century.
4. Which of the following is a duty of a citizen?
Solution: Paying taxes is a civic duty that supports national development, unlike the other options, which are either voluntary or not expected of citizens.
5. The meeting of warm air mass and cold air mass causes
Solution: Cyclonic rainfall occurs when warm and cold air masses meet, forming a front where the warmer air rises, cools, and condenses to produce rain.
6. Peaceful coexistence among the ethnic groups in Ghana is important for
Solution: Peaceful coexistence fosters social stability and economic progress, which are essential for sustainable development in Ghana.
7. Which of the following was established to find the causes of the 1948 riots?
Solution: The Watson Committee was set up in 1948 to investigate the causes of the riots in the Gold Coast, which were sparked by economic and political grievances.
8. The main reason for the transatlantic slave trade was that
Solution: The transatlantic slave trade was driven by the demand for cheap labor to work on plantations in the Americas, where African slaves were exploited.
9. Which of the following is used to teach good morals in a traditional society?
Solution: Story telling is a key method in traditional societies for passing down moral values and cultural lessons through narratives and folklore.
10. The practice of multiparty democracy in Ghana tends to promote
Solution: Multiparty democracy encourages political participation and representation, contributing to political stability in Ghana.
11. The basic institution that helps an individual to learn the moral values of the society is the
Solution: The family is the primary institution where individuals first learn moral values and social norms in most societies.
12. Which of the following cities does not experience the Mediterranean type of climate?
Solution: Accra has a tropical savanna climate, while Tunis, Tripoli, and Cape Town experience a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers.
13. In Ghana, state-owned enterprises are important because they
Solution: State-owned enterprises in Ghana provide essential services like electricity and water, which are critical for societal needs.
14. A set of rules by which a country is governed is referred to as
Solution: A constitution is the supreme set of rules and principles that govern a country’s operations and legal framework.
15. The human resource of a country refers to the
Solution: Human resources encompass the skills, knowledge, and abilities of workers and management that contribute to a country’s productivity.
16. The longest latitude is known as the
Solution: The Equator is the longest latitude, as it is the circumference of the Earth at its widest point, dividing it into two hemispheres.
17. Which of the following is a tertiary economic activity?
Solution: Banking is a tertiary activity involving services, while weaving, quarrying, and farming are primary or secondary activities.
18. Rocks which are formed in layers are called
Solution: Sedimentary rocks are formed by the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles in layers over time.
19. Barometer is an instrument for measuring
Solution: A barometer measures atmospheric pressure, which is crucial for weather forecasting and analysis.
20. The main purpose of the Bond of 1844 was to
Solution: The Bond of 1844 was an agreement between the British and local chiefs to curb practices like human sacrifice and promote trade and governance.
21. The efficiency of labour can be increased if one
Solution: Using appropriate technology enhances labor efficiency by improving productivity and reducing effort, more than the other options.
22. Which of the following types of rocks is suitable for road construction?
Solution: Quartzite, a hard metamorphic rock, is durable and resistant to weathering, making it ideal for road construction.
23. One major cause of poverty in Ghana is
Solution: Low productivity, particularly in agriculture and industry, limits economic growth and contributes significantly to poverty in Ghana.
24. The last Governor-General left the country when Ghana
Solution: The last Governor-General left Ghana in 1960 when it became a republic, transitioning from a monarchy under British rule.
25. What type of vegetation is associated with cold deserts?
Solution: Tundra vegetation, characterized by low-growing plants, is typical in cold desert regions due to harsh climatic conditions.
26. The moon is a satellite of
Solution: The moon is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth, influencing tides and other terrestrial phenomena.
27. The District Assemblies perform all the following except to
Solution: District Assemblies handle local infrastructure like schools and feeder roads, but trunk roads are managed by central government agencies.
28. Peaceful coexistence among individuals in a society can be promoted through
Solution: Socialization teaches individuals societal norms and values, fostering peaceful coexistence more effectively than the other options.
29. Which of the following natural resources is being over-exploited in Ghana?
Solution: Timber is heavily over-exploited in Ghana due to deforestation and unsustainable logging practices, impacting forests significantly.
30. Kobine is a festival celebrated at
Solution: The Kobine festival is celebrated by the people of Lawra in the Upper West Region of Ghana, marking their cultural heritage.
31. The state supports private businesses because they
Solution: Private businesses contribute to national development by paying taxes, which fund public services and infrastructure.
32. An individual whose rights have been infringed upon seeks justice from the
Solution: The court system is responsible for adjudicating cases of rights violations, ensuring justice through legal processes.
33. The time in Accra on longitude $0^{\circ}$ is 8 am. What is the time in Cairo on longitude $30^{\circ} \mathrm{E}$?
Solution: Each 15° of longitude represents a 1-hour time difference. Cairo at 30°E is 2 hours ahead of Accra (0°), so 8 am in Accra is 10 am in Cairo.
34. The Cape Coast castle is a valuable national asset because it promotes
Solution: Cape Coast Castle attracts tourists as a historical site, generating revenue and promoting cultural heritage.
35. The main work of members of parliament under Ghana's 1992 Constitution is to
Solution: Under the 1992 Constitution, the primary role of Ghana’s parliamentarians is to legislate, making and amending laws.
36. Ghana cooperates with other nations mainly to
Solution: Ghana’s international cooperation focuses on promoting global peace, often through participation in organizations like the UN.
37. Which of the following constitutes human rights abuse?
Solution: Child labour violates the rights of children to education and safety, constituting a human rights abuse under international standards.
38. "Positive Action" proposed by Nkrumah in 1949 was a call for
Solution: Nkrumah’s "Positive Action" involved non-violent resistance, including strikes and boycotts, to demand self-governance.
39. The area with the highest amount of rainfall in Ghana is
Solution: Axim, located in the Western Region, receives the highest rainfall in Ghana due to its proximity to the coast and monsoon influences.
40. Laws made by the District Assemblies are called
Solution: District Assemblies create bye-laws, which are local regulations governing specific areas under their jurisdiction.
1. 1. (a) Give four reasons why the transatlantic slave trade continued for a long time.
1. (b) State four negative effects of the slave trade on West Africa.
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 1
1. (a) (i) The labour provided by the slaves was very valuable, and yet, very cheap.
(ii) The African chiefs were not ready to lose the lots of money they were making from the slave trade.
(iii) The Africans were not united and hence could not come together to oppose the slave trade.
(iv) The Red Indians who were also working on the plantations and in the mines were not enough to do all the work.
(v) The slave trade was very lucrative for the Europeans and the African middlemen.
(vi) There was always a high demand for the slaves in the South American mines.
(vii) The African slaves, and Africans in general, did not know their rights.
(viii) The desire of some chiefs and their kingdoms to conquer other kingdoms made them continue the trade, so that they could obtain guns and gunpowder for their plans.
[any four]
(b) (i) It caused the dispersion of Africans to various parts of the world.
(ii) Africans lost the respect of the Europeans, when they realised that Africans did not respect themselves (as they fought to capture slaves).
(iii) It brought about insecurity, chaos and anarchy in the communities as hundreds of youth were captured as slaves.
(iv) It led to several incidences of broken homes as families lost their children to slave raiders.
(v) It made Africans lose confidence in themselves.
(vi) It brought about the introduction of cruel treatment generally.
(vii) Africa lost a huge population - of over 200 million.
(viii) There was a huge loss of active manpower (human resource), as the traders took away the stronger and more able persons.
[any four]
2. (a) Mention four sources of revenue to the District Assemblies in Ghana.
(b) Outline four contributions of the District Assemblies to the development of your area.
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 2.
2. (a) (i) Property rates
(ii) Districts assembly common fund
(iii) Licences fees
(iv) Loans / grants
(v) Royalties
(vi) Tolls (charges) for commercial activities
(vii) Court fines
(viii) Government grants
(ix) Income generation ventures / campaigns
(x) Donations from NGOs
[any four]
(b) (i) Provision of civic education in the communities.
(ii) Planning and development of the district.
(iii) Construction and maintenance of certain social amenities such as market, drains, schools, feeder roads, etc.
(iv) Maintenance of law and order, by provision of law courts and the making and enforcement of by-laws to maintain peace and stability.
(v) Collection of refuse and general maintenance of sanitation in the communities.
(vi) Human Resource development - Training staff of the assembly.
(vii) Assisting with the education of needy students, by offering scholarships and sponsorships.
[any four]
3. 3. (a) Explain four ways in which tourism contributes to the economy of Ghana.
3. (b) State four ways in which tourism can be promoted in Ghana.
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 3
3.(a) (i) Foreign exchange earner for Ghana: The nation earns a lot of foreign exchange from the tourism industry through payment of fees, fares, duties, etc., in foreign currencies by tourists who come into the country.
(ii) Source of revenue to the government of Ghana: Ghana earns a great deal of revenue from tourism through payment of income tax, import duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), royalties, levies, etc., by Hotels, Restaurants, Tourist site operators, Airlines, etc.
(iii) Tourist sites promote the development of communities: The location of tourist sites sometimes causes the development of certain social amenities close to it, e.g., the construction of roads to the site, the drawing of electricity / water to the community, etc. These are done to make tourists feel more comfortable and hence attract more tourists.
(iv) Source of employment: Tourism provides employment directly and indirectly to various kinds of people. Examples of such people are tour guides, security men, hotel workers, airport staff, airline workers, etc.
(v) Promotes environmental preservation: When certain natural resources such as forest reserves, game parks, waterfalls, lakes, etc., are used as tourist attraction sites, they are preserved / maintained. This promotes a healthy and preserved natural environment.
(vi) Helps to attract foreign investors into the country: When tourists come into the country, they may identify sectors of the economy which they might consider investing in.
(vii) Gives a boost to the local artefacts industry: Tourists who come into the country usually buy locally made artefacts as souvenirs. The high patronage of the artefacts provide income to the producers as well as advertise Ghana in their home countries.
[any four]
(b) (i) Good and proper maintenance of our tourist sites.
(ii) Provision of excellent social amenities in the communities in which the tourist sites are located.
(iii) Effective advertisement / publicity of tourist destinations in Ghana in foreign / international media.
(iv) Improving customer relations at tourist user places, such as airports, hotels, restaurants, transport services, tour sites, etc.
(v) Making sure there is adequate security at tourist user places.
(vi) Empowering the Ghana Tourist Board to do more in promoting tourism.
(vii) Effective training of the human resource in the tourism industry.
[any four]
4. (a) Mention any four causes of urbanization.
(b) State four effects of urbanization.
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 4
4.(a) (i) Better infrastructure/social amenities.
(ii) More employment or job opportunities.
(iii) Prestige - desire to raise one's social status.
(iv) Better educational opportunities.
(v) Greater commercial activity.
(vi) Industrialization.
(vii) High rate of population growth.
[any four]
(b) (i) Increase in streetism.
(ii) Creation of slums.
(iii) Increased environmental degradation.
(iv) Increased cost of living.
(v) Reduced access to social amenities.
(vi) Increase in criminal activities.
(vii) Increased unemployment rate.
(viii) Reduced economic productivity.
(ix) Traffic jams (both human and vehicular).
[any four]
5. (a) What is productivity?
(b) In which four ways can productivity be increased in Ghana?
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 5
5.(a) The ratio of production output to production input.
Or
Production output / Production input.
Or
The ratio of production output to what is required to produce it (inputs).
Or
The goods or services produced within a given time in relation to available materials and labour.
(b) (i) Employing workers with the right training, knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
(ii) Ensuring the correct use of efficient working tools.
(iii) Applying current / modern methods of production.
(iv) Providing regular in-service training and refresher courses for workers.
(v) Motivating workers with various incentives, such as awards/rewards, scholarships for further studies.
(vi) Paying fair wages and salaries to workers.
(vii) Ensuring effective and regular supervision, monitoring, assessment, and evaluation.
(viii) Making sure that the working environment is comfortable and conducive for work.
(ix) Financial institutions should be more willing to offer more credit facilities for establishment and expansion of businesses.
(x) Codes of ethics at workplaces must be studied and applied regularly.
(xi) Ensuring effective management and administration.
(xii) Effective planning and implementation.
[any four]
6. 6. (a) What is private enterprise?
6. (b) Outline any four roles the Government of Ghana could play to promote private enterprise.
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 6
6.(a) An enterprise that is set up and managed by a private individual or group.
(b) (i) Granting tax holidays to new businesses.
(ii) Organizing training seminars/workshops for the managements and staff of private enterprises.
(iii) Granting subsidies on raw materials / services used by the private enterprises.
(iv) Discouraging the importation of similar goods which are produced by private enterprises.
(v) Sponsoring local private enterprises to participate in trade fairs - both home and abroad.
(vi) Helping with the advertising of their products / services.
(vii) Facilitating acquisition of credit facilities from financial institutions by guaranteeing for them.
(viii) Granting approval / endorsements of products that meet the required quality standards.
(ix) Empowering governmental institutions that assist the private sector, such as NBSSI and GIPC.
[any four]