BECE 2009 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. During the Second World War, Ghanaian soldiers fought on the side of
Solution: Ghana was a British colony during World War II, and its soldiers fought alongside British forces and their allies.
2. One of the measures the government of Ghana can use to reduce poverty is
Solution: Providing skills training to the unemployed empowers them to secure jobs or start businesses, directly addressing poverty.
3. Cape Town in South Africa falls within the
Solution: Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate, which is classified as a Warm Temperate Climate, characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.
4. A president who performs judicial functions abuses the principle of
Solution: The principle of separation of powers divides government into executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of power. A president performing judicial duties violates this principle.
5. Economic self-reliance is a necessary factor for maintaining
Solution: Economic self-reliance reduces dependence on foreign aid or influence, thereby safeguarding a nation's political independence.
6. Which type of rain occurs when cold and warm air masses meet?
Solution: Cyclonic (frontal) rain occurs when warm and cold air masses converge, causing the warm air to rise and cool, leading to precipitation.
7. Ghana co-operates with other nations mainly to
Solution: International cooperation fosters diplomacy and collective security, contributing to global peace and stability.
8. For a nation to be economically independent, she must
Solution: Producing basic needs domestically reduces reliance on imports and foreign aid, key to economic independence.
9. The Arctic Circle is
Solution: The Arctic Circle is located at approximately 66.5° north latitude, marking the southern boundary of the Arctic region.
10. The system by which a foreigner acquires citizenship of another country is
Solution: Naturalization is the legal process through which a non-citizen acquires citizenship of a new country.
11. Parents can reduce conflicts at home when they
Solution: Offering constructive advice fosters open communication and mutual understanding, reducing conflicts.
12. When one moves eastwards and crosses the International Date line
Solution: Crossing the International Date Line eastward subtracts a day to align with local time zones.
13. Which of the following industries is having negative influences on the Ghanaian culture?
Solution: Tourism can introduce foreign practices that may erode local traditions and cultural values.
14. Which of the following is not a social problem in Ghana?
Solution: Low agricultural production is an economic issue, not a direct social problem like the others listed.
15. The highest points in Ghana are found on the
Solution: The Togo Range includes Afadjato, Ghana's highest peak at 885 meters.
16. One of the following was not a founding member of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC)
Solution: Kwame Nkrumah joined the UGCC later but was not among its founding members.
17. The chief representative of the central government in the district is the
Solution: The District Chief Executive (DCE) acts as the central government's representative in the district.
18. The Mediterranean lands are known for the production of
Solution: Mediterranean climates are ideal for citrus fruits like oranges and lemons due to their warm, dry summers.
19. A medical officer at a government hospital is a
Solution: Medical officers in government hospitals serve the public and are thus classified as public servants.
20. The conventional sign on a topographical sheet represents a
Solution: Topographical maps use symbols to represent features like settlements, which are marked distinctly.
21. The development of communities in your area is the responsibility of the
Solution: The District Assembly is the local government body responsible for planning and implementing community development projects.
22. When the time at Tema is 12 noon, the time at a place on longitude 30°W is
Solution: Tema is at longitude 0° (GMT). For every 15° west, time decreases by 1 hour. At 30°W, the time is 2 hours behind (12 noon - 2 hours = 10 am).
23. One duty of a citizen is to
Solution: Citizens have a civic duty to assist law enforcement in maintaining justice and order, such as cooperating with investigations.
24. The institution established under the 1992 Constitution to educate the public on their rights is the
Solution: The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is mandated to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities under Ghana’s Constitution.
25. Which of the following constitutes human rights abuse?
Solution: Detention beyond 48 hours without court authorization violates the right to personal liberty under Ghanaian law.
26. When one faces the rising sun, the left hand
Solution: Facing the rising sun (east), the left-hand points north, the right-hand points south, and the back faces west.
27. In order to fully develop our natural resources we must
Solution: Investing in local human resource training ensures sustainable expertise to manage and utilize natural resources effectively.
28. The 1951 general election granted Ghana
Solution: The 1951 election allowed Ghanaians to govern internal affairs, though full independence came later (1957).
29. The construction industry is an example of
Solution: Secondary production involves transforming raw materials (e.g., cement, steel) into finished products like buildings.
30. Rocks that have their original features changed through very high temperature and pressure are called
Solution: Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks are altered by heat and pressure (e.g., marble from limestone).
31. Which of these countries is in the Southern Hemisphere?
Solution: Brazil lies partly south of the equator, placing it in the Southern Hemisphere.
32. In the Ghanaian society, irresponsible parenting is one of the causes of
Solution: Lack of parental guidance can lead to inadequate sexual education, increasing teenage pregnancy rates.
33. The major reason for establishing castle schools by the Europeans was to
Solution: Castle schools were initially set up to educate the children of European traders and officials.
34. Which of the following cereals grows well in the Sudan Savanna?
Solution: Millet is drought-resistant and thrives in the Sudan Savanna’s semi-arid conditions.
35. Another name for the North-East Trade Winds is
Solution: The Harmattan is a dry, dusty wind blowing from the northeast across West Africa.
36. The organ of government that initiates policies to be passed into law is the
Solution: The Executive branch (headed by the President) proposes policies, which Parliament debates and enacts as laws.
37. The breakdown of extended families in our communities is mainly caused by
Solution: Westernization and urbanization have eroded traditional extended family structures.
38. The high dependency problem of some families can be solved by
Solution: Family planning reduces the number of dependents, easing financial burdens on households.
39. A hill with a steep slope on one side and a gentle slope on the other side is a/an
Solution: An escarpment is a steep slope or cliff formed by erosion or faulting, with a gentler slope opposite.
40. Democracy in our nation could be sustained by
Solution: Political education empowers citizens to participate meaningfully in democratic processes, ensuring its longevity.
1. 1. (a) What is a political party?
(b) Outline four ways in which political parties are important in the practice of democracy
(c) Mention two problems facing political parties in Ghana
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 1
1.(a) An organization that seeks to win and maintain political power within government Or: A group of people with similar ideas on how a nation should be governed and whose aim is to win and maintain political power
(b) Ways in which political parties are important in the practice of democracy:
(i) They help to ensure good governance by the ruling government
(ii) They help with public education on various issues
(iii) They help to promote national unity
(iv) They train/groom individuals for political leadership
(v) They help to bridge the communication gap between government and the people
(vi) They nominate and present candidates for general elections
(c) Problems facing political parties in Ghana:
(i) Low financial strength (insufficient funds)
(ii) Tribalism/ethnicity
(iii) Greediness/self-centeredness of leaders and members
(iv) Disagreements and divisions among both leaders and members (factionalism)
(v) Low supply of suitably qualified members for certain positions
(vi) Favouritism
(vii) High levels of illiteracy among grassroots membership
(viii) Corruption during party electionsRetry0do same for rest of the
2. (a) (a) What is human rights abuse?
(b) State three reasons why people suffer human rights abuses
(c) Explain four ways by which human rights abuses may be prevented.
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 2
2. (a) The violation/breach of the rights and freedoms of an individual
(b) Reasons why people suffer human rights abuses:
Ignorance (lack of knowledge) of the individual
Fear of consequences
Illiteracy of the individual
Intimidation by other party
Apathy of the individual
Poverty of the individual
Lack of confidence in the arms of government
Discrimination based on gender, social class, disability, etc
Religious beliefs of individual/society
Irresponsibility of parents/guardians
(c) Ways by which human rights abuses may be prevented:
(i) Increased public education
Many people do not even know their human rights. The ignorance facilitates the abuse of their rights by others. Education by government agencies and other bodies is therefore necessary to reduce the levels of abuse or even prevent it. The education must include
what one's human rights are,
how to prevent abuse of one's rights by others,
steps to take in case of abuse
measures to forestall future occurrences
(ii) Strengthening of our democratic and governmental institutions and agencies
Institutions such as DOVVSU, CHRAJ, the Ghana Police Service and the law courts must be strengthened, equipped and empowered to deal with human rights abuse cases more effectively and swiftly.
(iii) Improving access to both formal and non-formal education
The high levels of illiteracy also contribute to the general ignorance of human rights. Where people are able to read and understand text on their own, it facilitates quicker and easier gaining of knowledge of human rights and other issues. It is therefore necessary to improve access to both formal and non-formal education.
(iv) Modification of cultural practices which tend to infringe on human rights
Certain cultural practices or aspects of them that infringe on human rights must be either changed or modified. Some of these practices are puberty rites, widowhood rites, forced marriages, female genital mutilation, etc. Certain aspects, of these practices, which are painful, shameful, humiliating or dehumanising must be either stopped or modified to more acceptable forms, which do not infringe on one's human rights
(v) Greater involvement of religious/traditional society
Religious bodies and traditional leaders must come together to address/modify certain practices in their religions or culture which tend to infringe on the fundamental rights of members or even non-members. They should also help with the public campaign against human right abuse, since their followers take their word more seriously.
(vi) Prompt reporting of abuse cases to the appropriate institutions
People who have been abused, their families, friends, the media and society in general must cultivate the habit of reporting human rights abuse cases promptly. This would stop further abuse and prevent future occurrence if the right measures are taken.
(vii) Prompt prosecution and punishment of offenders
Offenders, who are caught, should be promptly made to face the full rigours of the law. This should serve as a deterrent to others and hence prevent further similar abuses in future.
(viii) Poverty alleviation (or wealth creation) programmes for the people
As a result of poverty, many people suffer in silence as their human rights are abused regularly, since they may not have the money to even take the necessary measures. There is therefore the need to run more wealth creation projects in order for people to come out of poverty and gain financial and social freedom
3. (a) Describe the following terms:
3. (b) In what four ways are rivers important in Ghana?
(c) State two ways by which our water bodies can be protected.
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 3
3.(a) Description of the following terms:
(i) Source: The original point from which the river flows or: The starting point of a river
(ii) Confluence: The meeting place of two rivers or streams Or: Where a river (or stream) joins another river
(iii) Tributary: A stream (or river) that joins a larger stream (or river)
(iv) Mouth: The place where a stream or river enters a sea or lake
(b) Ways in which rivers are important in Ghana:
(i) Means of Transportation: Canoes, boats, ferries, etc are used to transport persons and goods on certain rivers.
(ii) Source of water for domestic purposes: People fetch water from rivers for domestic uses, such as bathing, cooking, washing, and drinking. The Ghana Water Company also gets water from our rivers for treatment and supply as potable water
(iii) Source of water for industrial purposes: Certain industries rely on water from rivers for some of their industrial operations
(iv) Source of food (fish/protein): Fishermen in Ghana obtain fish from our rivers
(v) Source of employment: Rivers provide employment and therefore income both directly and indirectly to people such as fishermen, tour guides, Volta River Authority workers, farmers, etc.
(vi) Generation of hydroelectric power: The Akosombo dam generates electricity for the entire country using water from the Volta River. The Bui dam, also for generation of hydroelectric power is still under construction.
(vii) Tourist attraction sites: Certain rivers serve as tourist attractions, which help to generate income and foreign exchange for the country.
(viii) Irrigation of farmlands: In areas where there is little or no rainfall, farmers rely on river to water their crops
(ix) Drainage system to prevent flooding: When rain falls, the water runs into gutters/drains, which carry them into rivers. This prevents flooding of communities.
(x) Habitat for aquatic organisms: Several organisms and micro organisms in the ecosystem live in various rivers
(xi) Source of minerals: Certain rivers have mineral deposits in them, eg, alluvial gold in Rivers Birim, Pra and Offin, alluvial diamond in the Birim River.
(xii) Helps in rain formation: Large amounts of water vapour in the atmosphere come from water evaporation from the surface of rivers. The water vapour rises higher, becomes cooler, condenses and falls as rain.
(c) Ways by which our water bodies can be protected:
(i) Planting many trees along the river banks
(ii) Government agencies ensuring that people/industries do not pollute the rivers by throwing waste into them.
(iii) Intensifying public education on the need to protect our rivers and how to do it.
(iv) Legislation – making and enforcing laws to prevent river pollution and indiscriminate cutting of trees.
4. 4. (a) Outline five features of the rain forest
4. (b) State any five benefits of the rain forest
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 4
4.(a) Features of the rain forest:
(i) The trees are arranged in 3 layers – top, middle and lower storeys.
(ii) The trees have buttress roots that hold them firmly in the ground
(iii) The trees are evergreen throughout the year
(iv) The top storey trees are tall and have inter-locking canopies that block sunlight from reaching the lower parts of the forest
(v) The middle storey trees are of medium height and have thick trunks, and many branches and leaves
(vi) The lower storey consist of shorter trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants
(vii) Dead leaves, branches and fungi are common in the undergrowth
(viii) There are many ferns, mosses, parasitic plants and woody climbers which twist around the trees
(ix) The rain forest supports the cultivation of crops like cocoa and timber, and also serves as habitat for several wild animals
(b) Benefits of the rain forest:
(i) Provides timber, which serves as raw material for both local and foreign wood industries
(ii) The nation obtains foreign exchange from the export of timber, which is gotten from the rain forest.
(iii) Raw materials for the crafts industry, eg, cane for basket weaving.
(iv) Most of the trees are use for medicinal purposes (as herbs)
(v) Serves as a habitat for wild animals and other living organisms
(vi) Serves as a protection for some rivers - keeps them from drying up
(vii) Source of food – some trees produce fruits and leaves which are edible.
(viii) Supports the cultivation of some crops, such as cocoa, rubber, etc
(ix) Provides employment for timber merchants, farmers, herbalists, etc
(x) Supports the tourism industry - Serves as tourist attractions sites
(xi) Provides wood for energy – firewood and charcoal
5. 5. (a) State four causes of high birth rate in Ghana.
5. (b) In what four ways can high birth rate be reduced in Ghana?
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 5
5.(a) Causes of high birth rate in Ghana:
(i) Early marriage (usually of girls)
(ii) Poverty
(iii) Ignorance of dangers of unplanned child bearing
(iv) Extra-marital sexual relationships
(v) Ineffective family planning programmes
(vi) Discomfort with the usage of contraceptives
(vii) Teenage pregnancy
(viii) High fertility rate
(ix) Rejection of family planning and birth control measures
(x) Polygamy (the practice of having more than one marriage partner at the same time)
(xi) The satisfaction and prestige from having a large family
(xii) Wrong application of birth control measures
(xiii) Idleness of the youth due to unemployment or productive recreational centres.
(b) Ways in which high birth rate can be reduced in Ghana:
(i) Intensification of the girl-child education campaign
(ii) Setting up of wealth creation projects
(iii) Public education on unplanned parenting must be intensified
(iv) Married couples must be encouraged to stay faithful
(v) Family planning programmes must be reviewed regularly to make them more effective
(vi) Couples should try other contraceptives, under professional guidance, if they have problems with the ones they use.
(vii) Religious and moral education in schools must be intensified
(viii) Parent must get closer to their children, especially girls, in order to know and address the personal challenges they may be facing
(ix) Couples must be more open and willing to accept family planning methods.
(x) Polygamy must be discouraged as much as possible
(xi) Religious and traditional bodies must help to change the societal perception on large family size
(xii) Rural developmental projects must be intensified.
(xiii) Sex education (including Reproductive health education) in schools and at home must be encouraged
(xiv) Provision of some sort of incentives to smaller sized families
6. 6. (a) What is human resource?
6. (b) Explain three factors which can negatively affect human resource in Ghana
(c) Describe four measures that can be taken to improve human resource in Ghana
SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTION 6
6.(a) The skills, abilities and knowledge of human population which can be employed to do a particular work Or: The human population who have certain skills and knowledge, who can be/are employed to work.
(b) Factors which can negatively affect human resource in Ghana:
(i) Undemocratic leadership/administrative style
The non-involvement of workers in policy and decision-making could create a sense of apathy (lack of concern) in workers, which make them less diligent at work.
(ii) Accidents, epidemics and natural disasters
These could compel workers and prospective workers to lose precious working hours which could have been used for something productive. They can also cause deaths, and hence a reduction of the needed human resource for production.
(iii) Unfair wages and salaries
Wages and salaries that are not equitable (with respect to the work people), discourage workers from putting in their best.
(iv) Lack of award schemes
The absence of award schemes make workers feel that their works are not appreciated/recognized. This could demoralize and discourage them from working diligently.
(v) Lack of efficient working tools
Where workers do not use adequately efficient tools for their work, work becomes more difficult and boring. This could make workers lose interest in the work and hence become less productive.
(vi) Inadequate security and welfare schemes.
The lack of adequate security and welfare could make workers harbour fears for the future and hence lose concentration on their work
(vii) Nepotism
Preferential treatment for someone or some people is not healthy for human resource development. It can make the others develop hatred both for the giver(s) and receiver(s), apathy, and disinterest in the workplace, all of which does not augur well for the work environment.
(viii) Insufficient job opportunities
Lack of job opportunities makes people idle. They tend to forget all they have learnt and lose their skills. The idleness may even cause them to indulge in social vices, such as armed robbery, drug abuse, etc, which may have disastrous consequences.
(ix) Inadequate in-service training
Inadequate in-service training makes human resource stuck with what they know, which may actually be obsolete (out-of-date). Their knowledge stagnates and their skills decline. This eventually negatively affects their productivity.
(x) Lack of effective monitoring and supervision
Lack of effective monitoring and supervision makes workers tend to relax on the work they have to do. The more they relax the less skilful and inefficient they become. This makes them less productive.
(xi) Low quality of education
When people are not given the right quality of education, they are less knowledgeable, less skilful and do not possess the right attitude for the kinds of work they may have to do.
(xii) Poor working conditions
Poor conditions at work are a disincentive for workers. They may therefore be unable to give off their best.
(xiii) Lack of opportunities for further studies
Lack of opportunities for further studies does not motivate workers to give off their best.
(c) Measures that can be taken to improve human resource in Ghana:
(i) Training and retraining: Staff of institutions and other bodies must be given in-service training on a continuous basis in order to update their knowledge, sharpen their skills and positively improved their work attitudes. This would promote efficiency and higher productivity.
(ii) High quality and specialized education: Students must be educated in specialized areas that are relevant to the current economic environment, rather than being given mere classical and theoretical lessons/lectures, which may not be beneficial enough to them nor to the nation.
(iii) Improved working conditions: The conditions under which employees work should be significantly improved in order to bring out the best in them. These conditions include the physical, social and political (work policies) environments
(iv) Opportunities for further studies: Organization must create opportunities, scholarship schemes and sponsorships for further studies for their staff based on specified criteria. These would greatly motivate workers to work harder in order to meet the criteria for sponsorship or scholarship awards.
(v) Availability of job opportunities: There is the need for the government and other bodies to create more job opportunities for school leavers. This will enable them to practice what they have learnt, in order to gain experience and perfect their skills.
(vi) Effective monitoring and supervision: Managements of institutions must ensure effective and regular supervision, monitoring, assessment and evaluation. This would keep workers on their toes and motivate them to work more diligently.
(vii) Equitable wages and salaries: It is vital for workers to be paid fair wages and salaries. In this regard, managements should consider paying workers based on performance, rather than on a general basis. If done, this will surely encourage hardworking staff to work even harder and the lazy ones to sit up and work more efficiently.
(viii) Security and welfare services: Every worker desires a certain level of both job and financial security. It is important therefore that worker be given security and welfare services, such as social security scheme, life/fire/motor insurance, staff welfare packages, etc. This helps to put workers' minds at ease, and therefore the peace of mind to focus on their work.
(ix) Award Schemes; As social beings, we all want to be given the recognition where it is due. Institutions in order to further motivate their staff, should consider setting up various award and reward schemes. The selection of winners must be done in the most transparent and objective manner possible, in order to maintain the credibility of the scheme. This should help to inspire workers to put in more for higher productivity.
(x) Use of efficient working tools: In recent times, there has been an emphasis that for greater productivity, there is the need to work smarter, rather than working harder. This simply stresses the need for using efficient modern tools/technology to produce more in less time. Workers using efficient working tools would do more work, as they would enjoy putting in relatively less effort and having greater output.